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Chapter 22
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-02 07:23:25
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THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 23
Matthew's POV The car rolled to a smooth stop before the massive mansion, its towering presence casting long, creeping shadows under the dimming evening sky. The weight of the day pressed against my shoulders, but the moment I opened the door and stepped out, the cool breeze kissed my skin, momentarily easing the exhaustion clinging to me like a second layer.I rolled my shoulders, stretching my legs as I took in the sight before me. The estate loomed in the dying light, its vast windows glowing faintly against the darkening sky. Despite having seen it countless times, the sheer grandeur still held a quiet, suffocating presence.I turned toward the trunk, but before I could reach it, Jordan strolled up beside me, whistling low as his gaze swept over the mansion.“Wow,” he muttered, shaking his head as if in disbelief. “Now I get why you were in such a rush to get back. Damn, this place is huge.” He scoffed right after, shrugging as if the sight didn’t impress him. “Not that I care, t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-03THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 24
Matthew's POV Morning arrived with a golden glow filtering through the curtains, warm and inviting. My body stirred to life, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I awoke with an unshakable sense of peace. I had slept like a baby—no nightmares, no restlessness—just a deep, uninterrupted slumber that left a lingering smile on my lips. Even in sleep, something within me had been content, and the happiness clung to me like a stubborn scent, refusing to fade.But that contentment was short-lived.The moment I sat up, a dry, searing pain scraped against my throat, making me wince. It felt like I had swallowed sandpaper in my sleep. Desperate for relief, I threw off the covers and stumbled out of bed, my bare feet pattering against the cold wooden floor as I rushed down the stairs, my sole mission being water—cool, soothing water.As I reached the kitchen, the sight before me brought my urgency to a halt.Adrian stood at the counter, dressed in a fitted black apron, his sleeves
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-04THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 25
Matthew's POV "You are insane," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper as I lowered my head to my plate. The once-appetizing meal before me blurred into an unappealing mess. My appetite had all but vanished, replaced by a heavy weight pressing against my chest, making it hard to breathe.Adrian is mad—there’s no other explanation. How could he, in his right mind, even entertain the thought that there was ever an us? That there could be an us? The sheer audacity of it made my stomach twist. It was absurd, laughable even, if not for the fact that he had said it so effortlessly, with a straight face, as if the idea weren’t completely delusional."Let's start all over," he said, his voice laced with something that made me pause.The words struck like ice-cold water poured down my spine, shocking me so much that I inhaled wrong. A sharp burn clawed at my throat as I choked on my food, the sudden spasm racking my body. My chest constricted, and my vision blurred with tears as I coughe
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-05THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 26
Matthew's POV I tipped the glass to my lips and swallowed the last of the whiskey in one punishing, deliberate gulp. The burn hit instantly, searing its way down my throat like wildfire, leaving a trail of raw, relentless heat that forced a grunt out of me. It clawed at my insides, but even that pain felt hollow. Not enough. Nowhere near enough. I wanted it to do more than just sting—I needed it to scorch away the thoughts that kept crashing through my skull like a wrecking ball. The guilt. The shame. The helplessness that gnawed at me, hour after hour. If only whiskey could char memories the same way it torched my throat, I might’ve stood a chance tonight.The low thrum of music drifted through the lounge, a slow, rhythmic pulse that vibrated through the floor and up into my bones. The dim lighting pooled in corners and crept across the faces of strangers, none of whom cared who I was or why I was there. Just how I liked it. The beat echoed the chaos spinning in my mind, steady and
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 27
Noah’s POVWe didn’t even make it another thirty minutes at the bar before everything unraveled.Matthew was completely out of it—drunk beyond reason, his body slumped against mine like dead weight. He wasn’t just leaning; he was melting into me, every step we took an effort to keep him upright. Not that I was complaining. Honestly, there was something strangely grounding about having him so close, so unguarded. It wasn’t the first time I’d been the one to catch him when he fell, and I doubted it would be the last. Even if he wouldn’t remember a second of it tomorrow morning, I would. I always did.I’ve known Matthew for years. Hell, it feels like I’ve known him all my life. We grew up on the same streets, passed through the same schools, and faced the same bullshit together. If there’s one thing about him that’s never changed, it’s his ridiculously low tolerance for alcohol. The guy could barely handle a quarter of a shot before the world started spinning for him, yet that never stop
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-07THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 28
Adrian's POV Being cool—collected, untouchable, unshaken—that’s always been my thing. It’s like breathing, something I do without thinking. For as long as I can remember, I’ve worn calm like a second skin, as if nothing could ever touch me. I reveled in the smug satisfaction of being in control, the power that surged through me, knowing that nothing, and no one, could ever break me. It was my pride, my armor, and I wore it with certainty. I thrived in that calm, that unshakable composure, because it made me feel invincible. No one could ever get under my skin. No one… until tonight.The moment I saw them—Noah and Matthew—locked in a kiss, something inside me cracked wide open. It wasn’t just a tremor. It was a violent snap, as if something fragile and long-held had shattered beyond repair. My entire world didn’t just tilt, it crumbled beneath me. My chest tightened, and for the first time in forever, I felt the rush of panic crawling under my skin, a sensation I’d long since forgotte
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 29
Adrian’s POV“Have you any idea what you’ve done to me?” I asked, voice low, almost trembling, as my eyes locked onto the sleeping man lying beside me. The car was cloaked in darkness, but I could still make out the outline of his face, every line of it etched in my memory like scripture. The curve of his mouth, the gentle rise and fall of his chest—every detail haunted me.It was absurd, really—how deeply I’d fallen. So much that even a few moments without his face flashing in my mind felt like torture. Every breath I took echoed his name. He was my obsession, my fixation, the only constant in a world that had long stopped making sense.I didn’t just think of him—I lived in my thoughts about him. I hallucinated the day he’d finally look at me the way I looked at him, when he'd stop running and start craving. I fantasized about that moment when his heart would finally align with mine, when he’d melt into my arms without hesitation. I even went so far as to imagine our next lives mergi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 30
Adrain's POV Matthew’s moans were the only sound that echoed through the dim-lit room—a melody of desire that wrapped itself around me like a second skin. Each groan, each gasp, was the kind of music I’d craved for as long as I could remember. Hearing him fall apart beneath me wasn’t just satisfying—it was everything. And every time I drove into him, every push of my body into his, I felt a surge of raw, electric pleasure tearing through my veins like a current I never wanted to end.I love this man.No—I’ve always loved him. And even now, with him sprawled beneath me, his body offered up like some divine sacrifice, I still hadn’t tasted enough. It wasn’t just about sex. It wasn’t just about release.I wanted him. All of him. His thoughts, his breath, his fears, his damn soul—I wanted to own it all. Possess him in ways that went far beyond flesh and desire. If the world dared to call it obsession, I’d nod with pride. Because whatever this was between us, I never wanted it to be pure
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-10
Bab terbaru
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. unedited
Matthew's POV Adrian sank heavily onto the couch, his breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps, his eyes already burning with a hunger that eclipsed everything else. It wasn’t just desire—it was something darker, something primal. And I could feel it, too, swirling inside me, pulling me toward him like gravity. I followed his lead, my legs slipping around his waist as I straddled him, the heat of his body colliding with mine in a rush that set every nerve on fire. Our bodies slammed together like two storms, tearing through each other, both of us desperate to be pulled apart and stitched back together in a single, violent union.There was no room for hesitation. No time for restraint. Our lips crashed together, urgently, demanding, a collision of fire and needed to obliterate everything else. The outside world vanished in that instant, leaving only the raw, undeniable truth: nothing mattered but this, nothing could ever matter more.We kissed like the earth was ending. Like the world had
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 42
Matthew's POV Adrian sank heavily onto the couch, his breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps, his eyes already burning with a hunger that eclipsed everything else. It wasn’t just desire—it was something darker, something primal. And I could feel it, too, swirling inside me, pulling me toward him like gravity. I followed his lead, my legs slipping around his waist as I straddled him, the heat of his body colliding with mine in a rush that set every nerve on fire. Our bodies slammed together like two storms, tearing through each other, both of us desperate to be pulled apart and stitched back together in a single, violent union.There was no room for hesitation. No time for restraint. Our lips crashed together, urgently, demanding, a collision of fire and needed to obliterate everything else. The outside world vanished in that instant, leaving only the raw, undeniable truth: nothing mattered but this, nothing could ever matter more.We kissed like the earth was ending. Like the world had
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 41
I no longer cared about the world outside that room—or the chaos clawing at the back of my mind, screaming for attention like a neglected child. Let it scream. Let it howl. Its voice was a distant echo now, fading into irrelevance. I used to live in that noise. I used to drown in it, second-guessing every impulsive choice, every reckless breath that felt too wild, too fast, too dangerous to be mine. I used to ask myself if I was spiraling.But not anymore.Tonight, I didn’t need clarity. I didn’t want a reason.I wanted this.I wanted him.The air between us pulsed with something raw, something unspoken and untamed. The dim lighting draped the room in golden shadows, blurring the harshness of our sins until they almost looked beautiful. His mouth found mine like it was always meant to—urgent, rough, aching. There was no grace in our kiss, no gentle prelude. It was a collision. Violent. Unapologetic. It tasted like desperation and heat and a thousand broken promises we didn't care to f
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 40
Matthew's POV "You misjudged us," Lily said all of a sudden, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. I frowned, thrown off completely.I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I might be gay—or at least not straight. Whatever label I was supposed to wear, I wasn’t ready for it. And now here she was, throwing in another curveball that only tangled up my already twisted thoughts."Just like you, I too am in a state of dilemma," she said, pausing for a breath, her eyes flickering with something soft—regret, maybe. "I wasn't sure at first, but after kissing Adrian... and then kissing you... I'm more than certain now."She swallowed, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth."I like her."My frown deepened. The hell is she talking about? And like who?"Jennie, you slow wink... don't get all worked up," she teased.Then it hit me.Realization crashed into me like a wave slapping across the face. My eyes widened, and I blinked slowly."You like girls?" I a
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 39
The night spun out of control in the most unexpected way. As I lay there, the remnants of our heated passion clung to my mind. It felt surreal—yet deeply satisfying—as if I had crossed a line I never imagined I would. And somehow, I didn’t regret it. Adrian and I had never gone that far. We fought, hurled insults, pushed each other’s buttons—but this? This changed everything. It wasn’t just a kiss or even the raw, uninhibited sex. It was the fact that, for once, I was sober. And I wanted it. That truth slammed into me like a freight train. The feeling felt so unfamiliar. I’d always claimed to be straight. Women have always been my preference. I built my life around that certainty. But in those moments with Adrian, my resolve crumbled, slipping away like sand through my fingers. I didn’t understand it. It wasn’t supposed to happen—especially not like this. But the second his lips touched mine, I craved him with a hunger I couldn’t explain. I remembered how he kissed me—better than
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 38
Matthew's POV Confusion struck me like a thunderstorm erupting in the middle of a sunlit afternoon—unexpected, brutal, and relentless. It crashed over me, flooding my sanity, blurring the lines between what I knew and what I thought I knew. One moment, everything made sense. Next, I was drowning in betrayal, every breath harder than the last. My feet refused to move, rooted to the floor like I’d turned to stone. I watched them—Adrian and Lily—wrapped in a moment that should’ve never existed. A living, breathing portrait of everything I feared.His hand brushed hers.So simple. So damning.When Adrian’s gaze collided with mine through the crowd, my lungs clenched, useless. He didn’t look away fast enough to spare me the devastation, nor long enough to explain himself. But even that fraction of a second stole the air from my chest. The world shrank to nothing but the sound of blood roaring in my ears, like a tidal wave crashing inward.He didn't flinch. He didn’t hesitate. He just turn
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 37
I wasn’t prepared for the wave of familiarity that crashed over me the moment I stepped into the event hall. It hit hard—like a tide I didn’t see coming. The soft lighting overhead casts a golden hue across the room, making everything feel strangely dreamlike. Faces I hadn’t seen in years filled the space, some aged by time’s quiet touch, others still clinging to the same goofy, untamed energy they wore in high school. The smell of perfume and cologne mingled with the faint scent of polished floors and catered appetizers, adding to the sensory overload.Laughter rang out from various corners, a backdrop to the hum of overlapping conversations and the occasional cheer erupting from those sudden, emotional reunions. It felt surreal—like I had walked into a memory that had been playing on repeat somewhere far back in my mind, and now, suddenly, I was living in it.I stood there, rooted in place, caught off guard by how easily the past had found me. I knew, on paper, that this event was a
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 36
I froze mid-step, heart seizing with a sudden, unexpected pang of guilt.It clawed through me out of nowhere—the realization that I hadn’t spoken to any of my friends in what felt like forever. Not just days. Weeks, maybe. Time had blurred together, slipping past while I’d been caught up in my own mess. I hadn’t noticed how far I’d drifted, how silent I’d become. And now, the silence wasn’t just mine—it had infected everything.What if they thought I’d abandoned them? Ignored them on purpose? Worse—what if they were angry? Hurt?A coil of panic tightened in my chest as I snatched my phone from where it lay buried under a twisted mess of sheets and blankets on my unmade bed. The screen lit up harshly, and I squinted at the brightness, blinking against the sting. My thumb moved quickly, muscle memory guiding me straight to the group chat.Silence.A wide, empty silence. Like stepping into a room after a fight—thick, tense, and echoing with unspoken things.Matthew: Group is dead silent.
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 35
Matthew's POV As soon as the car came to a halt, Adrian stepped out without a word. The door closed behind him with a dull, final click that seemed to echo louder than it should’ve. I didn’t move. I stayed rooted in place, my gaze fixed blankly on the dashboard, the soft glow of the controls blurring as my thoughts spiraled. My hands lay loosely clasped in my lap, unmoving, almost lifeless. A knot of confusion tightened in my chest, thick and unrelenting.Had I said something wrong? Something that pushed him away?I tried to trace the thread backward, hunting for the moment when the shift occurred—the second his mood had changed, when the air in the car grew colder, heavier. But nothing screamed out. No harsh words. No sarcasm. Nothing but an invisible wall that had suddenly risen between us, silent and immovable.The silence pressed in, heavy and suffocating, like a weighted blanket I hadn’t asked for. It sat on my shoulders, in my lungs, in my bones. My mind looped the last part of
