Fate's Dark Side Chapter 873

After dinner, we made our way to the living room to continue the festivities and spend time together. Our parents were likely gathered in the lounge, enjoying their own conversations.

As we walked towards the living room, Josephine moved closer to me, and I couldn't help but wonder what she wanted. Her presence was driving my wolf to the brink of madness.

"Hey," she greeted me, and I looked at her, offering a smile.

"I heard about Sophia; sorry to hear that. I know you two were close," she said, and I nodded in acknowledgement.

"We are still close," I corrected her, and she fell silent, seemingly taken aback by my response. I hadn't meant to sound curt, but the truth was, I was on edge, and she seemed to be the cause.

"I didn't mean it that way. Of course, I know you are close," she quickly clarified, and I shook my head.

"I apologise for my tone," I said sincerely, and she smiled at me as if she hadn't expected my apology. She nodded, indicating that she accepted it.

"Forget about Sophia," I heard Alex's voice echoing in my mind. He was attempting to communicate with Josephine and not me, and I was grateful that I alone could hear that conversation.

"Anyway, my father mentioned that one of us will be assisting Justin with the investigation. We'll do everything we can to ensure she is found," she said, patting me on the shoulder and preparing to walk away. In that moment, I reached out and held her hand.

I couldn't explain why I did it, but the touch sent an electric shock through me. She looked at me with surprise, then glanced at our joined hands as I stood rooted to the spot while the others continued ahead. I didn't want to let go. Touching her hand felt inexplicably right, and suddenly, I found myself questioning what was happening to me. I had known Josephine my entire life, and she had always been intimidating. This was an entirely new experience.

"Li?" she asked, her gaze fixed on me. It felt as if I were in a trance, unable to snap out of it no matter how hard I tried. Managing to find my voice, I quickly questioned her.

"Why do you smell like dill?" I blurted out, and she frowned, sniffing the air around her.

"Are you feeling all right, Li?" she inquired, concern evident in her voice. And with that simple question, I knew exactly what had transpired.

Releasing her hand abruptly, I turned away and started walking towards my room with haste. I dared not answer or look in her direction. I had to move swiftly, desperate to avoid doing something I would regret.

"Li! Li! Liam!" Josephine called after me, but I refused to acknowledge her. I had to keep moving, afraid that any moment longer would result in a complete loss of control.

"This can't be happening to us now," I whispered to my wolf, my mind filled with chaotic howls of Alex.

"But it is happening, and it has," my wolf responded, his voice firm.

"Josephine. It can't be Josephine; she's practically family," I protested, desperately searching for any reason to deny the reality of the situation. But Alex disagreed.

"Our parents may be close, and she may come from the second ruling line, but she isn't related to us by blood, Li," he countered, his voice filled with a sombre acceptance. Yet, even with that knowledge, I couldn't shake off the overwhelming emotions flooding over me.

We had practically grown up together, with only a year and a few months separating us. Why had fate chosen to play such a cruel trick on me?

"Fate has not made a mistake, Li. This is a rare opportunity, and I believe we should embrace it," Alex insisted, his voice filled with conviction, but I shook my head in disagreement.

"I don't like her. She's stubborn, annoying, and always trying to prove herself, especially to us. I can't handle that kind of behaviour. And her sense of fashion... it's just not my taste. She doesn't seem to care about anything," I complained, venting my frustrations.

"But you liked Sophia for similar reasons," Alex pointed out, leaving me flustered as I stormed into my room.