A Love Forgotten (Arianna and Elijah)

Chapter 123

I scrolled through the comments nine hy one, each more degrading than the last,

Twith malicious and vulgar remarks,

"I thought it was a marriage allumer between two prestigious families. Turns out Mr. Lieden put himself a 'wild' woman She looks like one hose women who do that kind of dirty work." "co, this woman's got a great figure. Snow white skin and legale daya!"

"wow, I'm honestly jealous of Mr. Lindan. She must be something is the bedroo

"They say she's a high-society heiress? Then why doesn't she have any self-respect? Disgraceful"

"It doesn't matter if she's rich and beautiful. Her plate life's a mess. A friend told me that this York heiress loves partying at bars every night with a different crowd." That was a take story, for sure

The dizziness and throbbing pain made it hard to beache

I set phone down, pasping for a Fimally, I understood the ridicule in Ms Spencer's words.

Three years ago, Elijah took me to a business gals and then I was slandered, turned into nothing but a twisted spectacle.

A scream ripped from me as the realization sank in

Melling opened the do, bolding a cup of hot water, startled by my outburst, almost sp

She hurried ever. "Ma York!"

However, I staggered back, avoiding her touch, and bolted out of the room

If in her shock.

she called after me, but Leuldn't hear her anymore. All I knew was that I had to leave and escape from everything Despair engulfed me, a tidal wave

I wave that threaten

threatened to drown me

me entirely.

1 found myself citing by the shimmering sea. The last streak of sunset barely clung to the horizon, a faint golden line

Behind me, 1 heard the sound of a car pulling up, followed by harried footsteps. I didn't num around

The footsteps cat closer until they stopped just behind me. "Ani?"

The voice was tamiri Elijah. He sounded both startled and relieved. "Ari, what's wrong? Why are you out here?

then his

1 skowdy lifted my head from my knees, squinting at the view in front of me, my face expressionless. His footsteps edged closer, and then his hand rested on my shoulder. 1 turned around and looked at this unfamiliar, yet hand The look in my eyes muut have shaken him because he took a step back. "Ari, wh

what's going on!"

I heardity own voice, calm and detached "Elijah, did you ever love nu ?

His tense expressioni softened in an instant. He eduled deeply, pulling me into his as "al, of course, I love you: I truly love you."

His embrace leli distant, as though my heart no longer registered its existence. Perhaps it had died langap There yours ago? Or maybe live? I had no k

Llet myself test against hit shoulder, trend and hallow

I heard him whisper, "Ari, ler's start over, ukay? Don't be foolish. You love ane, and you can't live with. Everything jocelyn salt is not tisse. Even if some of it were true, it's

He adjusted my posture, gently holding me by the shoulders. His gaze fixed on mine, he desperately searched to a reaction, but he was disappointed.

There was nothing - noexpression, to spark in my eyes, but even a change in my complexion

Finally, Dijali pensed something about nie was of Confused, le looked at me. "Al, what's happened to you? Did something upset you?"

He repeatedkis quration a few times. Then, his eyes widened as talized "You saw these things Jocelyn zaklonillas, debet you?"

tades baju ba malli, di ping to console me "ui, don't pri to you. I'll handle everything. True"

gra atanus, palling my face printys did, he walked and ", why is your Lace sevski?"

Toon Tatuwed his spominam Slowly, Lasked, "Lijali, how did we start dating/"

Caught off guard, le feuitated a few flowing was dugme in You had just finished you freshman year in the sun