You’re heartless

You’re heartless
Kyler glanced at Richard, his expression steely. “Do you have any idea what situation you’re in right now?”
He didn’t wait for a reply and looked at Stephen. “Handle the rest.”
Stephen nodded and stepped forward as Kyler reached for Arielle, pulling her towards the window.
Arielle wrenched her hand free, her voice a mixture of anger and confusion. “Stay away from me, Kyler.”
Kyler looked at her, his eyes filled with an intensity she had never seen before. “I can’t, Hazel. I can’t stay away from you.”
Arielle tried to walk past him, but Kyler blocked her path, his arm against the wall. “Arielle, if you’re angry, shout at me. If I hurt you, hurt me too, baby, but don’t just leave.”
Arielle’s voice trembled with emotion. “You’re getting married, aren’t you? So please, go to Zoe and stop following me.”
Kyler’s eyes flashed with frustration. “I’m not marrying her. I’ve already made that clear to her. The announcement was made without my knowledge.”
Arielle shook her head, her voice breaking. “Even if you aren’t getting married, let’s not forget what you did about Ryle.”
Kyler took a deep breath, his voice steady. “I didn’t know, Arielle. I didn’t know anything at that time. I was on a mission.”
Arielle laughed bitterly. “A mission? Tell me, what mission? Why was the mercenary guild after him? He didn’t do anything wrong. How did he become their enemy?”
Kyler met her gaze, his expression earnest. “You want to know? Fine.”
He looked into her eyes, willing her to see the truth. “The mercenary guild gave the mission. Not because Ryle could surpass all others in rank, but because he had sensitive information. He wanted to change the rules of Spring Island and had challenged the head multiple times.”
Arielle’s eyes narrowed in disbelief. “You’re lying, Kyler. Why would he do that? I don’t believe you.”
Kyler’s voice was firm. “You can ask him. I’m not lying.”
Arielle searched his eyes for signs of deceit but found none. Kyler’s voice softened. “Hazel, believe me, I would never do anything to hurt you. I can never think of hurting you.”
Arielle’s resolve wavered. “I don’t know if I can trust you again or not.”
Kyler’s voice was pleading. “Take your time, but don’t leave me.”
Just then, Stephen’s voice came from behind them. “It’s done, brother.”
Kyler glanced at him. “Let’s go back.” He turned to Arielle. “I’ll drop you home.”
Arielle hesitated. “Marcus will be here in a few minutes.”
Kyler shook his head. “His guards may come to check on him. It’s not safe.”
Arielle considered the gravity of the situation and finally nodded. “Fine.”
Two days later, in Café Town, Ryle sat across from Arielle, sipping his coffee. “Why did you ask me to meet urgently? Is everything alright?”
Arielle’s gaze was steady. “You want me to forgive you?”
Ryle nodded, his expression hopeful.
Arielle leaned forward. “I will, but I want to know the reason the mercenary guild ordered your assassination.”
Ryle’s face hardened, and he pursed his lips.
Arielle’s voice was firm. “Talk.”
Ryle sighed heavily. “Don’t bother with that now, Arielle. It’s already in the past.”
Arielle stood up, her expression resolute. “Fine. Since it’s like that, we have nothing more to talk about.”
Ryle reached out, his voice urgent. “Please sit, little one. You want to know? Fine, I’ll tell you.”
Arielle sat back, her eyes locked on his.
Ryle began to explain. “That year, I wanted to change some rules so that we could interact with the rest of the world in a better way. Spring Island was closed off from the rest of the world. I had arguments with them in multiple ways, and that was the major reason I was on their hit list. But that wasn’t the only reason. My uncle, who was one of the chiefs there, wanted me dead. He instigated everyone in the guild.”
Arielle listened intently. “Okay… Where is your uncle now? And did the guild retract their order?”
Ryle nodded. “I killed him and exposed his crimes to the guild a year ago. They took their order back.”
Arielle absorbed his words. “So that’s why you chose to come out in public now.”
Ryle nodded. “Yes. And don’t worry, Arielle. I won’t come between you and Kyler. That day, I shouldn’t have spoken against him. I was just jealous that he got you when I couldn’t come back.”
Arielle’s head hung low. “I’m sorry.”
Ryle took her hand gently. “That’s okay, little one. Your happiness matters a lot to me. If he makes you happy, be with him.”
Arielle broke down in tears, and Ryle smiled softly, though he felt a lump in his throat.
After a while, Arielle left.
Meanwhile, at the Young residence, Zoe looked at Kyler, her eyes red from crying. “Why can’t you give me a chance, Kyler? I’m not an awful person.”
Kyler looked at her, the gentleness he had with Arielle nowhere to be seen. But zoe was good person no matter how evil Liam Harper was. Thus, he chose his words carefully. “I’m sorry, Zoe, but you always knew I have no feelings for you. I have a girlfriend, and I can’t break her trust.”
Zoe’s eyes filled with hopelessness. “Is she that good?”
Kyler nodded. “She is. And trust me, you will find someone who will be good for you too.”
Zoe’s voice was bitter. “You’re heartless.”
She ran off outside, her sobs echoing in the hallway.
Evelyn, Kyler’s mother, who had been listening from the side wall, entered the room. Her voice was stern. “You didn’t handle that right, Kyler.”
Kyler shook his head. “Mom…”
Evelyn raised her hand to pause him. “And who is the girl you mentioned?”
Kyler’s voice was steady. “Her name is Arielle, and she is the daughter of the Reynolds family.”
Evelyn laughed incredulously. “The Reynolds family? Are you kidding me?”
Kyler’s eyes were steady, resolute. “I am not, Mom.”
Evelyn’s gaze hardened, her voice dripping with scorn. “Look at your status, and then look at theirs… Only the Harper family suits you.”
Kyler’s jaw clenched, his frustration evident. “Mom, please try to understand…”
Evelyn’s face was a mask of icy determination. “You’re marrying Zoe. That’s final.”
Kyler’s voice was a low growl, barely restrained. “I am sorry, but I will only marry Arielle.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Evelyn standing there, her face twisted in a mixture of anger and disbelief.
As Kyler strode down corridor, his mind was a storm of emotions. He felt the cold air seeping through the stone walls, matching the chill in his heart.
He knew the path he had chosen was fraught with peril, but his love for Arielle was a beacon in the darkness. He could not, and would not, allow anyone to dictate his future, not even his own mother.
Evelyn remained in the room, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.