All Chapters of Fragile Ties Of Love: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

LIAM It’s been a week since Levi handed me that bracelet—the one I had custom-made with our initials, thinking I was doing something romantic. That tiny silver piece had felt like a part of her still clinging to me… until he placed it in my palm like it meant nothing. Like I meant nothing. Now, I sit at the edge of the bleachers, pretending to watch the scrimmage in the gym. The echo of sneakers against the polished wood, the sharp whistles, the yells—it’s all background noise. My eyes are focused on the glass windows across the court that overlook the cafeteria. Zara’s sitting there—shoulders relaxed, head tilted slightly as she listens to something Nick just said. Her lips curl into a small smile, and the sight of it sends a familiar ache straight through me. Not because she’s smiling… but because she’s smiling without me. Levi’s next to her. He says something, and Kaylee laughs. Zara doesn’t laugh as much—her face shifts into something softer, something thoughtful—but she’

Zara’s POV The day had started out soft and golden. There was a light breeze in the air, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I didn’t feel the weight of my past dragging behind me. I’d walked into school with Levi beside me, and I was laughing—genuinely laughing—at something he’d said about Mr. Crane’s impossible math test. I never thought I’d laugh like that again. Not after Liam. Not after prom. But there I was, easing into Levi’s presence like he was a harbor in the storm. Things had been… better. With Kaylee and I patching things up, Nick acting more like an older brother than a judgmental figure, and Levi making an effort every day—it felt like I could finally breathe again. He’d been patient. He’d never tried to rush me. And when he looked at me, there was no trace of mockery, no condescension. Just… ease. I wasn’t ready to say I liked him—not in that way—but I was getting close. And that scared me. At lunch, Kaylee had gone off to finish a project with her la

Kaylee’s POV The car ride to Nick’s house was silent, except for the occasional rustle of the paper bag in my lap — her favorite chocolate and sour gummies. I held it like it might somehow make everything okay. Like it could turn time back two weeks, erase prom, delete every tear she cried over someone who never deserved her. Nick was gripping the wheel tighter than I’d ever seen, jaw clenched, eyes fixed on the road like he was chasing something he couldn’t name. I knew the feeling. “I still can’t believe she had to hear that today,” I murmured, breaking the silence. Nick let out a sharp breath. First he kissed Beatrice in front of her locker like none of it ever happened. Like Zara meant nothing. And now she was just a pawn in another game.” The words tasted bitter. I closed my eyes, imagining her standing there, her world caving in all over again. She had barely recovered from prom night, and now this? When we pulled into Nick’s driveway, we didn’t need to speak. We ju

LIAM The morning sun broke through the curtains, but it brought no warmth. I must’ve passed out sometime around dawn after dragging myself back home, my jacket still covered in the smell of grass and midnight regret. The dream I woke from was foggy — I saw her, barefoot in the field, laughing as the stars fell behind her. For a moment, I smiled. Then I heard my phone vibrate. Once. Twice. Then it wouldn’t stop. Groaning, I reached for it, squinting at the screen. Ten missed calls. A dozen messages. Notifications flooded in, from group chats and even people I barely talked to at school. “Please tell me this isn’t true…” “Omg… was it her bike??” “Are you okay, Liam??” And then one from Nick. Just one. You better pray it wasn’t her.My heart dropped. I sat up, adrenaline flooding my veins. “No,” I whispered. “No, no, no…” I searched for the local news link someone had sent in one of the messages. My fingers trembled so badly I could barely click the article

The night air was bitter, but not as cold as the hollow space in my chest. The roads blurred beneath my tires, my grip on the wheel white-knuckled, jaw clenched so tight I thought it would crack. I didn’t remember getting in the car. I didn’t remember turning onto her street. All I knew was rage—and grief. They burned in my veins like poison. When I reached Beatrice’s house, I slammed the car door and marched to her porch, not even bothering to knock. I pounded my fist against the wood hard enough to rattle it. It didn’t take long before the door opened. Beatrice stood there, barefoot, wearing a silky robe and a smug little smirk that dropped the second she saw me. “Liam?” Her brows knit. “What the hell—” “Are you happy now?” I growled, stepping into her space. She stumbled back instinctively. “What?” “Are you happy now?” I repeated, my voice cracking this time. “Is this what you wanted? Because you won, Beatrice. She’s dead.” Her mouth parted. “What are you ta