Lahat ng Kabanata ng By Chance, By Fate: Kabanata 131 - Kabanata 140

132AlexI turned to see my father approaching, his strides purposeful and his expression a mask of authority. The crowd parted for him like the Red Sea, their whispers dying down as he came to stand beside us. A few of the guests, standing in small clusters, glanced over, their eyes shifting between Charlotte and me, like spectators at a play waiting for the next dramatic twist.“Alex,” he said, his gaze flicking between me and Charlotte, “what is this about?”Before I could answer, Charlotte jumped in, her voice trembling as she played the victim card with expert precision. “Elena started this,” she said, her tone laced with faux vulnerability. “She made me look like a fool in front of everyone.”My father’s eyes shifted to me, narrowing slightly before softening as they landed on Charlotte. “Alex,” he said firmly, “control your sister. I won’t have her behavior jeopardizing our relationships.”A low murmur rippled through the crowd nearby. Someone whispered, “Is it really that bad

134LiamSophia stayed silent for a moment, letting my words linger. The weight of her gaze pressed against my back, and I could feel her hesitation as if she were deciding whether to push further or let it rest. Finally, she spoke, her voice softer than before.“Liam, you don’t have to do this alone,” she said. “I’m here, whether you want to talk about Alex, Anders, or anything else that’s eating at you. But shutting me out isn’t going to help.”I turned to face her, the frustration in my chest threatening to boil over again, but the sight of her—the patience and concern in her expression—held me back. She didn’t deserve this. Not tonight, not ever.“I’m not shutting you out,” I said, though the words felt hollow even to me. “I just… I need time.”Sophia’s lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I thought she might argue. Instead, she simply nodded. “Okay. But promise me you’ll talk to me when you’re ready.”I nodded, knowing it was the least I could do. “I promise.”She ste

136The terrace was silent except for the faint rustling of leaves in the cool breeze. I stood there, gripping the railing, trying to collect my thoughts when I heard her voice behind me.“Alex,” Elena called softly. I turned to find her standing a few feet away, concern etched across her face. Her dark hair framed her sharp features, and her eyes searched mine for answers.“Hey,” I replied, forcing a weak smile. “Didn’t expect you to follow me.”“Well, someone had to,” she said, stepping closer. “You looked like you were about to explode back there. What was all that about?”“Charlotte being Charlotte,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “And father enabling her, as always.”Elena frowned but didn’t press further. Instead, she leaned against the railing beside me, her voice dropping to a more curious tone. “Speaking of drama, though… how did Liam’s wedding go? I heard something happened.”I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. “Something? That’s putting it lightly.”Elena r

138LiamAs the jet began its descent, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unrest that had followed me ever since we left the palace. The pilot’s calm voice crackled over the intercom, announcing our imminent arrival in Bora Bora. Sophia glanced at me, her fingers interlaced with mine, offering a comforting squeeze.The jet touched down smoothly, and I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Outside the window, I caught a glimpse of the turquoise waters and lush greenery that stretched beyond the runway. Despite the paradise surrounding us, my mind remained a battlefield. Alex. His upcoming wedding. It all loomed, dark and suffocating.A small convoy awaited us at the airstrip—a sleek black car and several attendants, all poised with professionalism that came with hosting royalty. The moment Sophia and I stepped off the jet, a soft murmur of greetings filled the air. The island's officials stood lined up, offering polite bows and wide smiles.“Your Highness, welcome to Bora Bora

140AlexThe shrill ring of my phone pierced through the quiet of the room, pulling me out of restless sleep. I groaned, blindly reaching for the device on my nightstand. The digital clock glared 1:47 a.m. in bold red numbers. My frown deepened when I saw the name flashing on the screen: Liam.I froze, staring at the name, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest. What the hell was he doing calling me at this hour? The instinct to ignore it flared, but something else—curiosity or maybe some lingering emotion I hadn’t fully dealt with—compelled me to answer.“Liam,” I said, my voice hoarse from sleep.For a moment, there was silence, but then his voice came through, raw and filled with desperation. “Alex... please, don’t hang up.”I shut my eyes, leaning back against the headboard as a thousand emotions washed over me. “Liam, what are you doing? Do you have any idea what time it is?”“I know, I know,” he rushed, his tone frantic. “But I had to call. I—I couldn’t let this happen wi