Semua Bab Bound By The Shackles Of Fate: Bab 31 - Bab 39

~ARIA~ He was standing there smiling, his lips curving in that familiar way. “You haven't stopped being pathetic Aria. Immediately you saw Kael with Eliara, you ran out. You just realized that you didn't stand a chance” Luca said with that same stupid smile plastered on his stupid face. “What are you doing here?” I asked with visible annoyance. He smirked, his gaze sweeping over me. “I could ask you the same thing again. But I won’t because you look...” He paused, his eyes lingering for a moment. “Beautiful.” My heart betrayed me, fluttering at his words. But I quickly pushed the feeling away. I wasn’t going to let him affect me. Not after everything. I folded my arms and frowned at him. “Save your compliments for someone who cares," I shot back. "Flattery won’t work on me, Luca.” “Oh, I think it does,” he said with a confident grin, stepping closer. “You can deny it all you want, Aria, but I know you’re still in love with me and you know what? The feeling is mutual.”

~ARIA~ I guess I would have to apologize later to Damon for my overreaction. I went into my room. I did my simple skincare routine. I stood by the mirror, debating if makeup was necessary. My pale skin still showed hints of redness from the heated exchange with Damon earlier, and my lips were slightly swollen from biting them in frustration. “No makeup today" I muttered. Then I stood in front of my closet and decided to keep things simple. I chose a comfortable outfit: a fitted white t-shirt tucked into a pair of high waisted jeans. I paired it with simple sandals and pulled my hair into a loose ponytail, a few stray strands framing my face. Light makeup was still tempting, but I shook my head and decided against it. Satisfied, I took a deep breath before stepping out of my room. My footsteps echoed softly as I made my way to the dining room. But instead of heading straight to the dining room, an idea sparked in my mind—I’d cook something since Kael wasn't around. Back in N

~ARIA~Just as we were about to leave, I turned to Damon “Hey, before we head out, do you think I should change my outfit?” I said, glancing down at my clothes.Damon raised an eyebrow at me, “You look just fine, Aria. No need to change" The way he said my name tickled me and I almost smiled before I caught myself. What the fuck! Focus Aria.I blinked hard, “But..""No buts" Damon interrupted gently. "You look good and more importantly you look comfortable.”“Okay, okay, I guess you're right.” I raised my hands as a way to surrender.Damon nodded, “You're perfect just the way you are."I paused. I wasn't expecting those words from Damon. I was about to say something but then he started moving towards the door. I followed him without saying another word. He led me outside to one of the cars. He opened the back door for me, and I smiled, thanking him. But then, to my surprise, I reached for the front seat instead.Damon’s voice floated in my ears. "You're not supposed to sit in the fr

~ARIA~ I stared at my phone screen, feeling my hands tremble as I scrolled through the comments. I let out a soft sob, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, but it didn’t help. The tears kept coming, unstoppable.I cried for some minute but what felt like hours. There was a knock on my door. I heard Lena’s voice calling from the other side, soft and gentle, but I couldn’t bring myself to respond. I was tired of the constant pity. She didn’t say anything else, but I could tell she was still there, waiting for me to change my mind. But I didn’t. Instead, I picked up my phone again, scrolling through the endless stream of comments. Then my phone rang. I glanced at the screen, and saw that it was an unknown number. I frowned, wondering who it could be but I didn't pick up. It rang again, and I almost didn’t pick up. But something told me I should. Maybe it was Luca, maybe he wanted to check on me. I didn’t want to talk to him either, but I didn’t have the energy to ignore it anym

I pulled away from Kael, my heart still pounding from the closeness, my body aching for him to pull me back. But I needed answers. I lifted my eyes to his, waiting for him to say something, anything that could explain why he had stayed away. I needed him to be honest with me, to not hold anything back.Kael’s gaze softened for a moment, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he shifted slightly, as if uncertain about how to proceed. I could see the struggle in his eyes, the way his jaw tightened like he was trying to hold something back.I couldn’t wait any longer. I reached out, taking his hands in mine, and gently pulled him toward me. Without a word, I led him to the edge of my bed, sitting down with him beside me, still holding his hands. I had no idea where the boldness came from, but at that moment, I didn’t feel afraid. This was the Kael who had held me close, the one who had kissed me with the softness of someone who truly cared. He cleared his throat, breaking the silence, and my