19
My voice, though calm, was a sharp blade, piercing his heart. He stumbled backward, his back hitting the wall, trapped. His face was devoid of color. He opened his mouth, but no words came.
I stepped back, the cynical smile fading from my lips.
“You can’t even answer a basic question. What else is there to explain? Liam, if I could, I wish I’d never met you.” If I had never met him, I wouldn’t have endured this pain repeatedly. I wouldn’t have suffered for so long I looked at him, his face etched with visible pain. His explanations felt hollow, mere echoes of his guilt. Against the backdrop of his infidelity, his words only highlighted his absurdity.
I watched him impassively, my gaze unwavering. When he finished, I said calmly,
“Finished?”
He nodded, watching me anxiously, like a child awaiting punishment. I gave no response. I’d wasted too much time. My aunt and uncle would be worried.
I turned to leave, saying simply,
“Don’t contact me again.”
Liam sank to the floor, watching my retreating figure with despair. Did I hate him that much? Not even “Ha…” A bitter laugh escaped him.
a chance?
For the next few days, I didn’t see Liam. After my aunt’s recovery, I kept them at the townhouse, claiming I wanted to show them the city before they returned home.
One afternoon, while they napped, I prepared to go out. Opening the door, I found the butler and several maids from the Sterling estate. They rushed towards me.
“Mrs. Sterling, we heard you were back, and we wanted to see you.”
“It’s Ms. Winter Now,” Only Liam knew I was back.
Concealing my irritation, I invited them in. They refused, stating their purpose. After I left, they returned my gifts to Liam, who then bought them new gifts, thanking them for their service to me. Feeling obligated, they came to plead with me. Liam deeply regretted his actions and hoped I’d give him a chance to make amends. They’d seen his despair.
I found their concern pathetic. Liam, unable to reach me himself, sent them as messengers. I understood their good intentions and simply smiled.
Liam’s interference ruined my plans, so
I returned
to
my
room
for a
nap
They left, unable to persuade me. My sleep was restless. I hadn’t dreamed of Liam during my three months abroad. But now, I was back at our wedding.
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