Beyond Love

ARIANA POV

The scenery outside the car window was one of the few things capable of calming a troubled soul. Endless rows of trees lined the road, their leaves dancing gently with the breeze, sunlight filtering through in soft golden streaks. Nature had always had a way of healing wounds, especially for those who truly loved it.

I watched everything pass by in silence, my forehead resting lightly against the glass.

Yet despite the beautiful view, my heart still felt painfully empty.

I never imagined that the man I had known and loved for seven years would betray me like this. Seven long years of trust, sacrifice, and dreams carefully built together, was destroyed in a single moment. It had been three days since I found out, but his words still echoed loudly in my head, refusing to let me rest.

“I’m sorry, Ariana. Please believe me. I don’t want this either. I just can’t disobey my parents. I love you. Wait for me, I will find some solution.”

Those words replayed like a broken record. My lips trembled as the memory replayed itself, and my chest tightened painfully. If he truly loved me, how could he stand at an altar and say vows to another woman? How could love be so weak in the face of parental pressure?

I never knew the man I was dating was nothing more than a toy in his parents’ hands.

A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.

“Ariana, are you crying again?” Lyra asked softly, turning to look at me.

“No, I’m not,” I lied quickly, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand.

She frowned. “You better not cry for him. You promised Mom, Dad, and me that you wouldn’t cry over him again.”

I looked at her, my vision blurring as fresh tears welled up. Without another word, I leaned forward and hugged her tightly. My body shook as everything I had been holding back poured out.

“Please, let me cry it out,” I whispered. “I promise, this will be my last tear over him.” My voice cracked. “I should have listened to you all when you said he and his parents weren’t good people.”

Lyra wrapped her arms around me as I continued, my words spilling out uncontrollably.

“Because of me, our parents helped his family so much in their business. They stood by them when no one else would. But now that they’ve made a name for themselves, they chose the daughter of an official instead.” I laughed bitterly through my tears. “So now I, the daughter of a businessman, am no longer worthy of him.”

“It’s okay,” Lyra murmured, rubbing my back gently. “I understand your pain. Cry it out. Once you’re done, your mind will find peace.”

She pulled back slightly and looked at me seriously.

“But from now on, open your eyes when choosing a man. Don’t ever date a scumbag again.”

I nodded weakly. “Okay.”

I rested my head on her shoulder, staring blankly outside as the road stretched endlessly ahead of us. I felt drained, empty, like something vital had been ripped out of me.

“Ariana, stand up,” Lyra said after a while, shaking me gently. “We’ve arrived.”

“Oh… we’re already here?” I asked, lifting my head.

The car had stopped in front of a large gated compound. My eyes widened slightly as I took in the familiar sight.

My maternal grandparents’ house.

I had been asked to come here to spend some time, to relax, to heal, and to forget him.

The car drove in and parked. As I stepped out, the air immediately felt different, cleaner, quieter. The familiar scent of earth and old trees filled my lungs. Memories of childhood laughter, secret hideouts, and peaceful evenings flooded my mind.

I loved my grandparents deeply. They were influential people. My grandfather was a retired army major, disciplined and feared by many. My grandmother was a retired Minister of Foreign Affairs, elegant and sharp-minded. Yet despite their status, most people didn’t know of our connection to them.

Not even Cole. They had only given birth to my mother, choosing a private life afterward.

“Hey, look who’s here, Aaron!” Grandma’s cheerful voice rang out. “My beautiful princess has arrived!”

I turned to see her walking toward us with a bright smile, arms open wide. Lyra and I rushed forward.

“Good afternoon, Grandma,” we said in unison, hugging her tightly.

“Good afternoon, my dear. How are you?” she asked warmly.

“We’re fine,” Lyra answered quickly.

Grandma’s eyes shifted to me knowingly.

“Yes, I know you’re fine, but you don’t have to speak for her.”

She clicked her tongue. “We warned you about that small boy. I even offered to introduce you to better ones, but no. Now you’re bearing the consequences.”

“Grandma,” I said weakly, “you shouldn’t be saying that now. You’re making me feel worse. You should be pampering me, I just got my heart broken.”

She paused, then sighed. “Alright, my child. Since you’ve said that, I’ll give you the best treatment. Let’s go inside.”

The house was as silent as ever. My grandparents loved quietness. They lived simply, with only one guard and one maid, both of whom had become family over the years.

“Hey, Gramps!” I said excitedly as I spotted him sitting in the living room. “How are you? I missed you.”

“I missed you too, my princess,” he replied, pulling me into a hug. “Come here, Lyra.”

Lyra stepped forward obediently, hugging him as well. She had always been a little afraid of his stern appearance.

“Go upstairs and shower,” Grandma said.

“After that, come down to eat.”

“Alright,” I replied. “We really need it. I’m starving.”

I dragged Lyra upstairs playfully, and we headed to our shared room.

The moment I closed my bedroom door behind me, all the strength I had been holding onto vanished. I collapsed against the door, sliding down slowly until I was seated on the floor.

“No, Ariana,” I whispered to myself. “You can’t break down. You have to stay strong, for your family’s sake.” I clenched my fists. “You can’t fall apart over a man who isn’t worthy of it.”

I wiped my tears harshly. “You’re smart. You’re beautiful. You’re independent. A well-established woman at that.” I took a deep breath. “I will never cry over him again.”

I stood up and walked toward the balcony, my favorite place in the house. The cool breeze brushed against my face as I stepped outside. From here, I could see the entire Crest Town spread out before me. Though small, the town housed many influential retired figures, powerful men and women who had once ruled boardrooms, armies, and governments.

A place of silence. Of history. Of power.

“I’m back, Crest Town!” I shouted suddenly, my voice echoing faintly. As the sound faded, a strange sensation crawled up my spine.

I felt it. Someone was watching me.

My heart skipped as I slowly turned toward the direction of the gaze and froze.

I was speechless.

Shocked.