Chapter 8
While Liam was losing his mind with worry, Zoey showed up out of nowhere, having talled him in a taxi.
When she spotted the divorce papers in Liam’s white kimckled grip, Zoey had to bite her cheek to keep from smirking.
Forcing her face into a concerned frown, she said:
Riley’s just playing games. She’s always been like this–bratty, selfish, doing whatever the hell she wants,”
“Relax. She’ll come crawling back in a few days.”
Zoey kept yapping in Liam’s ear, trash talking me non–stop.
“GET OUT!”
Liam’s voice was like gravel, shaking with barely contained rage.
Zoey’s jaw dropped, her eyes wide as dinner plates. She couldn’t believe what she’d just
heard.
For years, Liam had only ever spoken to her like she was made of glass. He’d never used that ice–cold tone with her.
Zoey tried to convince herself she’d misheard.
Liam-
But he cut her off before she could get another word out.
‘GET OUT!”
This time, Zoey couldn’t pretend she didn’t hear him.
Her eyes did their usual trick–instantly going glassy with tears ready to fall.
Normally, this damsel–in–distress routine had Liam wrapped around her finger in seconds.
But this time, he didn’t even flinch at her poor–little–me performance.
Zoey stared him down, waiting for him to crack and start apologizing.
When he didn’t, she bit her lip hard enough to hurt and stormed out.
jam grabbed his phone and punched in a number: “Need you to find someone…”
When Liam showed up at my doorstep, I didn’t even blink.
‘his town isn’t exactly New York City. If someone wants to find you, they will.
Besides, I wasn’t trying to disappear.
wasn’t the one who’d screwed up, so why should I be the one hiding?
knew Liam would find me eventually. It was just a matter of time.
What surprised me was how much he’d changed in just a few days.
He looked thinner, exhausted, with none of his usual confidence.
When he saw me, his eyes lit up with relief.
My own expression, in contrast, remained completely cold.
I’m sorry.”
Liam’s voice was rough and raw, his eyes rimmed red with what looked like genuine regret.
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “Sorry? For which part exactly?”
Liam was at a loss for words.
Yeah, only now was he realizing just how many ways he’d hurt ine.
When I turned to leave, Liam quickly grabbed my hand.
“Please, give me a chance to explain,” he begged, unusually humble.
I yanked my hand away, laughing coldly.
“Explain what?”
That you married me for Zoey’s sake? Or how you kept your promise to her by deliberately terminating each of our pregnancies? Or maybe how you personally removed my left kidney to give to her?”
With each accusation, Liam’s face grew paler.
By the end, all color had drained away, leaving him almost transparent.
“You know… everything?” Liam hadn’t expected that I knew not just about the kidney, but all his other betrayals as well.
In that moment, deep despair washed over him.
“Liam, no one’s stopping you from loving Zoey, but that doesn’t give you the right to hurt me.”
“You love Zoey, right? I’m setting you free. Now you can love her openly.”
“It’s not like that, Riley. Listen to me. Yes, I loved Zoey before, but after being with you, I’ve gradually fallen in love with you. Really.”
Liam explained desperately.
“Love me?”
I reacted as if I’d just heard the most ridiculous joke ever.
In fact, I did laugh–so hard that tears came to my eyes.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.