The Dark Side Of Fate

The Beating Of His Heart ~Josphine~ Justin vented his frustration towards Liam, who remained silent and took the blame even though I was the one who convinced him to go to the place in the first place.

The guilt weighed heavily on me and I imagined what Justin must have endured when the King called, desperately trying to speak with Liam, and Justin having no idea how to reach him.

The King’s worry was entirely understandable.

The circumstances had led to everyone being evacuated from Grizlo for a valid reason.

It was only natural for him to be on high alert when something happened, especially since the incident took place at his mother’s house.

I recognised the legitimacy of his fear, and I felt awful for causing so much concern and putting Liam in a negative light with Justin.

I couldn’t shake off the feeling of blame, fearing that it might lead to problems between Liam and me.

As I made my way to my room, I sternly reminded myself not to act impulsively in the future.

Justin’s concerns were entirely justified.

What if we had been attacked in that place? Despite being fighters capable of defending ourselves, we would have been overpowered if they came in large numbers.

The possibility that they might have used weapons as well weighed heavily on my mind.

I may be immune to Silver, but Liam wasn’t.

The seriousness of the situation dawned on me, and I felt an overwhelming sense of remorse for my actions.

While I was in the shower, I heard a knock on the door, and my immediate instinct told me it was Liam.

He was the only person who would come knocking at my door this late at night.

Covered in soap, I decided that once I finished freshening up, I would head to his room.

The idea of going to his room gave me a rush of excitement, causing goosebumps to prickle my skin.

The memories of our time together at the lake and in his room replayed in my mind.

The way he spoke and the things he did made my heart flutter.

The almost-kiss we had shared at the lake was real; it couldn’t have been a product of my imagination.

I was certain of it.

After I finished freshening up and slipped into my pyjamas, I decided to check on Liam to ensure he was okay, especially since Justin’s demeanour had been serious.

Gently knocking on his door, I was surprised when Liam opened it and motioned for me to come in.

As I stood in his room, I felt a bit uncertain about what to say or do.

Liam looked attractive in his shorts, and not wearing anything on top allowed my mind to wander for a brief moment.

“Sorry about…” I began, but he interrupted me, preventing me from finishing the sentence.

He quickly put on a T- shirt and then guided me towards the balcony.

“I had a great time today, and I don’t regret going with you to that place.

I’m just relieved that we made it back home safely,” he expressed, stepping out onto the balcony.

I watched him closely, unsure of how he felt about the situation.

“So you’re not upset with me?” I inquired, and he shook his head, offering his hand to invite me to join him on the balcony.

“Not at all,” he reassured me, pulling me closer so that we stood side by side, gazing up at the stars in the night sky.

In that serene moment, I knew we shared a special connection, and the day’s adventure had only strengthened our bond.

As he gazed at the night sky, I found myself studying him closely.

It was surprising to see that he didn’t appear affected by the incident with Justin.

It seemed as though he had brushed it off, which I knew was to my advantage.

I gently reached out and touched his arm, prompting him to look at me.

“You know you shouldn’t have lied for my sake,” I remarked, feeling grateful for his gesture but also concerned about him getting in trouble.

Liam chuckled and replied, “Who said I was lying? I actually wanted to check it out myself; you just helped me make up my mind faster,” he admitted with a mischievous grin, causing me to laugh along with him.

It was a relief to know that we were on the same page, and our adventurous spirits only brought us closer together.

Not ready to leave just yet, I decided to initiate a conversation with him.

“What do you think the housekeeper might have done?” I asked, seeking his thoughts on the matter.

He gazed at me, pondering the question.

“Beats me, Jo, but one thing’s for sure: we need to be extremely cautious from now on,” he responded, his smile fading as he emphasised the seriousness of the situation.

He continued, “We were under surveillance by those perpetrators.

even sent a

have

into a cab,” he revealed, causing me to gasp

watching us,” I

and

means they could have…” I trailed off, my mind racing to the worst possible scenarios,

comforting hug while gently stroking my hair to

have to be

won’t let anyone hurt you,” he reassured, and I couldn’t help

other’s arms, and we

there

I wanted to stay focused and present in that

he softly called my name, and I lifted my head to

grateful we shared it together,” he confessed, and I

the incident, it was a day filled with cherished memories etched

found myself lost

leaving me to wonder if I was merely imagining things

managed to whisper, but my voice caught in my

door interrupted our moment, and I couldn’t help but curse whatever seemed to be conspiring

heard Liam mutter a curse word under his breath too, which was quite endearing, causing me to chuckle despite

looked at me, and I nodded, signalling

and in need of sleep, I announced, “I’m going

Liam didn’t seem happy with that decision,

revealing Oliver, who had a smile

awkward, and rightfully so, as

Oliver asked, his tone carrying a hint of

even though my demeanour probably

“No, you’re good, Oliver.

replied, passing him quickly to make my

near-kiss moment with Liam, and I couldn’t help but curse the interruptions that

in my room, I let out a frustrated

and just

moment had been interrupted, and it wasn’t

get in the way of embracing

a

Liam had been there, I thought, I might

that night, and it evaded me for most of the

in the morning,

eight, I was aware that breakfast had likely been

going through my morning routine, I managed to get ready by eight-thirty and made my way

found everyone

chair was at

me, he promptly got up from his seat beside Liam,

me feel

exclaimed, drawing attention to my tired appearance, as I had completely forgotten to use

everyone would be aware that

smile in response to her comment and

late,” and I

serve my food, a sweet gesture that

collect my thoughts, Noah’s question brought me back to the topic

for me to connect the dots,

do something at Grandma Stephanie’s house, and the person who sent them blew up the van to cover their tracks,” I

fun with

Liam about finding his girlfriend made

“girlfriend” suddenly bothered me,

that perhaps my feelings for Liam were

as I lifted the fork, but I quickly placed it back on the

conversation about Liam potentially reuniting with Sophia weighed heavily on my

you be able to move on? You’ve already moved heaven and earth,

her?” Marvin

surface,

stayed seated, not wanting to draw attention to

usually preceded tears, but I forced myself to take deep

my emotions overwhelm me, especially not

remain composed and steady, even though it felt like a struggle to

attempting to downplay any romantic connection between him and

the night she went missing, implying that

playful comment, asserting that Liam had practically confessed his feelings

Mountain, and it

a nerve, and I felt a surge of

any longer, I pushed my plate away and stood up to excuse

the moment I was out of sight, I hastened up the stairs, desperate to

my room, I allowed myself to release the

regain composure, but tears streamed down my

a sensitive nerve, and I needed a moment

berate myself for foolishly entertaining the thought that there might be something between Liam and

Sophia, which was

tears streaming down my cheeks, I allowed

release, to let out the emotions that