Chapter 138 Making The Right Choice
Liam's POV
I really wanted to step in and tell Mia's mother to stop talking. Every word she said felt too harsh, too cruel, and completely undeserved. I couldn't understand how a mother could look at her own daughter and say things like that without even hesitating.
Standing there, listening to it all, something inside me twisted painfully. And for the first time, I found myself appreciating my own parents in a way I never had before. I had always known they loved me, but I never realized how lucky I was until I saw what Mia was going through.
Because no matter how strict my father could be, no matter how high his expectations were, I had never once felt unwanted. But Mia stood there and took everything. And that broke me.
I could see it in her eyes. The hurt and disappointment. The quiet pain she was trying so hard to hide. But even then, she didn't break. She didn't fight back. She didn't beg. She just stood there, holding herself together like she had been doing it her whole life.
And God, I was so proud of her for that. But at the same timeI hated that she had to be that strong. I detested that she had to learn how to survive words that were never supposed to be thrown at her in the first place.
So when we finally got into the car, I stayed quiet. I didn't want to say the wrong thing. I didn't want to make it worse.
Then she broke. The moment her tears fell, it felt like something inside me shattered too. I pulled her into my arms and held her as close as I could. I wanted to take all her pain away. I wanted to carry it for her, to protect her from everything that hurt her.
But I couldn't. I didn't have that kind of power. All I could do was hold her, let her cry, and make sure she felt that she wasn't alone anymore. And I swore to myself, right there and then, that as long as I was with her, she would never have to face things like that alone again.
By the time we got back to the city, the silence between us had turned heavy but comforting. She had calmed down, but I could still see the sadness lingering in her eyes.
Then my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw my father's name. I hesitated for a second before answering. He was asking me to come home early.
After the call ended, I looked at Mia, guilt creeping into my chest.
"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I really wanted to stay with you longer." She shook her head gently, her expression calm, almost too calm.
"You don't need to apologize," she said. "If that was your dad asking, then you should go. You're lucky, Liam."
I frowned slightly. "Lucky?" She gave me a small smile, but there was something behind it I couldn't ignore.
"You have parents who love you and would do anything to protect you," she continued. "Cherish them while you still can. Not everyone gets that kind of love." There was no bitterness in her voice.
Just quiet acceptance. And that was what made it hurt even more. Because even after everything her mother said to her, Mia still chose to see the good in others.
Still chose to remind me to be grateful. Still chose kindness. And in that moment, I realized all over again why I loved her. Not just because she was strong. But because even when the world gave her every reason to become cold, she remained warm.
And I didn't know if I deserved someone like her.
But I knew one thing for sure. I would never let her feel alone again.
I walked into the house and greeted my parents with a smile. But this time, it wasn't forced. For the first time in a long while, I felt genuinely grateful.
"Good evening, Mom. Dad," I said. My father looked at me, then nodded slightly. "Son, you need to come with me tomorrow. You can skip your graduation practice. I already informed the principal."
I frowned, confused. "Where are we going?"
"I want you with me at the company," he said firmly. "There is something important I need to deal with, and I have to make a major decision. I want you there, to observe... and maybe even contribute."
He paused, his gaze sharpening.
"It's about time you start involving yourself in business matters. Yes, you still have college ahead of you, but your school break starts now. You've enjoyed your freedom long enough, Liam. It's time for you to grow up." There was no humor in his voice. No room for argument. And I knew better than to challenge him.
"Alright," I said quietly. After that, I went straight to my room.
All I wanted was to go to Mia... to see her, to make sure she was okay. But I couldn't. Not with both of my parents home. I couldn't risk them finding out.
Still, guilt settled heavily in my chest. My father looked proud earlier. Excited, even. He had no idea that I was planning to leave everything behind including the life he had carefully prepared for me.
I knew I was being unfair. But they hated Mia just because she was poor. And I couldn't turn my back on her. Not when I loved her.
I called Mia that night. I didn't hang up until I was sure Josh was there with her, taking care of her, making her feel less alone. Only then did I allow myself to rest.
The next morning, breakfast with my parents felt different. It was light and peaceful. For the first time since Julian passed away, I found myself enjoying their company.
And maybe that was what made it hurt more. Because deep down, I knew this wouldn't last. I knew the days were numbered before I would walk away from all of this.
Later that day, I followed my father into his office.
"I have an important meeting today," he said as we entered. "It involves one of my most trusted employees."
He walked behind his desk, his expression turning cold.
"He came from nothing," he continued. "I gave him everything. I helped him rise from the lowest position to top management. I made him successful."
His jaw tightened. "And yet... he chose to betray me."
I stayed silent, sensing the tension in the air.
"His name is Garett Green. Are you familiar with him?" he asked.
I shook my head. "No."
"Come here." He turned his monitor toward me.
I stepped closer and the moment I saw the screen, my entire body went cold.
There was a man in his mid forties. But I didn't care about him. Because beside him was Mia's mother.
"Maybe you recognize the woman," my father said calmly. My throat went dry. I already knew where this was going.
"He embezzled a large amount of money from the company," my father continued. "And now, I will personally handle this matter."
His voice dropped, dangerous and controlled.
"His entire family will suffer. I will take everything from them."
My heart started pounding.
"Unless..." he added.
I looked at him. "Unless what?"
"Unless you intervene, Liam."
I froze.
"What do you mean?" I asked, even though I already understood.
His eyes darkened.
"Don't pretend you don't know Mia's mother," he said sharply. "And don't think for a second that I am unaware you are still seeing her despite my warnings."
Disappointment filled his voice.
"You have truly disappointed me, Liam."
I clenched my fists.
"You really thought you could run away from me?" he continued. "From this family? You think I wouldn't find out everything?"
My breathing became uneven.
"You bought a house," he said. "You made plans."
He let out a cold laugh.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, son. No one in this country will do business with you without my name. I am that powerful." Each word felt like a chain tightening around me.
"You cannot just walk away from the life I built for you." My hands trembled, but he wasn't done.
"You can still be with that girl," he said casually. "I won't stop you."
Hope flickered for a second only to be crushed instantly. "But let me remind you of something," he added.
His voice turned colder. "She will never be able to continue her studies." My heart dropped.
"I will make sure she won't be accepted into any college or university in this country," he said. "She won't get a decent job. Not even a part time one." I felt like I couldn't breathe.
"The same goes for you," he continued. "If you insist on being stubborn, you will drag her down with you."
His words hit harder than anything else.
"She will suffer because of you, Liam," he said. "And one day, she will hate you... for ruining her future."
My chest tightened painfully.
"And when she finds out that her family suffered because of us..." he added, "she will hate you even more."
I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. Then he added “But..." he said, leaning back in his chair, "if you choose to be a good son..." I forced myself to look at him.
"I will give her stepfather a second chance," he continued. "Her mother and siblings will be safe. They will keep their home. Their life."
He met my eyes, his expression hard and unyielding. "Walk away from her life," he said. "Forget Mia Villaruiz as if she never existed. Because as long as I live, you will never be with her."
And just like that, I realized I was no longer being asked to grow up. I was being forced to decide who I was willing to lose.
“Are you ready?” my father asked, as if he hadn’t just turned my entire world upside down.
For a moment, I couldn’t answer. Because how could anyone be ready for something like this? But I didn’t have a choice.
“Yes,” I said quietly, even though I knew that whatever I chose today… it would destroy something. Maybe her. Maybe me. Maybe both of us.
I followed him toward the boardroom, my mind racing, but I forced myself to keep walking. Because my father was right about one thing. It was time for me to grow up.
The moment the doors opened, I stopped. My breath caught. Mia’s mother was there… standing beside her husband.
For a second, I wanted to ask why she was here. Why my father dragged me into this. Why everything suddenly felt like a trap closing around me. But I already knew the answer. My father made sure I had no choice. Still, I refused to go down without a fight.
Garett Green’s face turned pale the moment he saw my father. The confidence he probably had walking into that room vanished instantly. Beside him, Mia’s mother looked at me, her eyes widening in shock.
“You know why I called you here, Garett,” my father said without wasting a second.
His voice was too calm. “I trusted you,” he continued. “I didn’t even need to be here. My lawyers could have handled everything.”
“Mr. Alcaraz…” Garett’s voice trembled. “I can explain. Please… just give me a chance.”
“There is nothing to explain,” my father cut him off coldly. “The audit findings are accurate.”
Silence fell. “You will go to jail,” my father said flatly. “And your wife, along with your children, will serve my family.” My hands clenched at my sides.
“Because everything you have came from me,” he continued. “And you cannot pay me back.”
Garett dropped to his knees. Just like that. Desperation filled his face as he bowed his head. His wife followed, crying, her shoulders shaking as she begged.
And I just stood there frozen. Watching Mia’s mother break down in front of me. A part of me felt something dark… something I didn’t want to admit. Because this was the same woman who hurt Mia. The same woman who made her feel small.
And for a brief, shameful second, it felt like justice.
But then, Mia’s face flashed in my mind. Her tears and her pain. Her voice telling me to cherish my parents.
And just like that, the satisfaction disappeared. Because I knew Mia would never want this. She would never be happy knowing her family was destroyed like this.
It would break her. And I couldn’t let that happen.
“There is only one person who can help you,” my father said.
Garett and his wife looked up immediately, hope flickering in their tear-filled eyes.
“Only my son can give you your freedom,” he continued. “He is the only one who can return everything you own.”
My heart started pounding.
“And unless Liam cooperates,” he added, glancing at me, “I will not hesitate to finish this.”
The room felt suffocating.
“All you have to do,” my father said as he stood, “is convince my son to sign this.”
He placed a document on the table. Then he walked out just like that, leaving me there alone and trapped.
Before I could even think and process everything, Mia’s mother rushed toward me.
She dropped to her knees in front of me.
“Please, Liam…” she cried, grabbing my arm. “Help us. I’m begging you. I’ll do anything… just don’t let this happen to my family.”
Her grip tightened. Her voice broke. “Please… save us.”
I stared down at her, my heart pounding hard against my chest. Then slowly, my gaze shifted to the paper on the table, the one that could destroy Mia’s dreams… or ruin her life in a different way. My hands began to tremble as the weight of everything settled on me.
Because now, this wasn’t just about choosing between my father and Mia. It was about choosing what kind of man I was willing to become. And for the first time in my life, I didn’t know if I was strong enough to make the right choice.