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23
I remained silent for a long time, then pulled away.
“Serenity!”
Liam caught my arm, his voice desperate. He pleaded for another chance, his words tumbling out like an avalanche. From the moment he saw me again, he had been trying to win me back. But his explanations and gestures held no meaning for me anymore. “You loved me so much before, why not give me another chance? If you’re bothered by Chloe’s presence in the house, I’ll sell it. If my gifts bother you, I’ll buy you new ones. If you think I’m dirty, I’ll shower a hundred times. But what if it’s your heart?” Liam faltered, unable to respond. His hesitation was all the answer I needed. I smiled faintly, turning away and leaving him standing there, alone in the silence.
The next day, I began packing for my return to New Zealand. I’d planned to take my aunt and uncle with me, but they were rooted to their village. I didn’t press. Before leaving, I slipped a bank card under their pillows.
I met my friends for dinner. They were saddened by my departure.
“We don’t know when we’ll see you again. We’ll visit you in New Zealand someday.”
We exchanged addresses. As we drank and chatted, I called for a refill. A tipsy friend offered to get it himself. Everyone tried to stop him, but he insisted, grabbing the teapot and heading out.
A moment later, shouting erupted. We rushed out to find him in a brawl with a group of drunken men. My heart sank. As I moved to intervene, a bottle flew towards me.
“Serenity!”
Liam appeared, scooping me into his arms.
“Crash!” The bottle
shattered,
fragments
blood and
staining
the floor. The restaurant
fell
silent.
“Help!!”
Screams and
chaos ensued. Liam,
however, only checked
for injuries, me
relieved
to find
me
unharmed.
I stared coldly at his frantic concern.
“Liam, you
didn’t need to protect me. I could have handled it.” During my time abroad, I’d learned self–defense. If he hadn’t intervened, I would have taken down the attacker.
His grip on my shoulder loosened. I was showing him I could thrive without him. Unlike him, who’d spiraled into alcoholism without me Before he could speak, the restaurant manager arrived with staff, tending to Liam’s wounds and managing the chaos
< 24
