Chapter 174: His Answer That Broke Me

Mia's POV

The moment I sat down on the bus, the tears I had been fighting finally fell. I turned toward the window and wiped them away, hoping no one would notice, but they kept coming. My chest ached with every breath as the city lights blurred beyond the glass and the bus carried me farther away from the mansion.

Liam had said yes.

One word had been enough to change everything.

The engagement ring on my finger caught the passing light, and I quickly looked away. I wanted to be angry with him because anger would have been easier, but I had seen his face when he agreed to marry Glydel. There had been no happiness or excitement. He had looked devastated, and I knew why.

His father was dying.

Liam had believed Rafael was recovering, only to learn in front of everyone that the operation hadn't worked and the doctors had given him less than a year. Then his father had made what could be one of his final wishes.

He wanted to see his son married.

If Rafael had simply ordered Liam to marry Glydel because she was the woman he preferred, I knew Liam would have refused. He would have fought anyone who tried to decide his future for him. But tonight, he wasn't a businessman defending his choices or a son arguing with his father. He was someone who had just learned that the man he loved might have only months left to live.

I couldn't hate him for not knowing how to say no in that moment, but understanding him didn't make his answer hurt any less.

My phone vibrated inside my bag again. Liam had already called several times, but I couldn't answer. Not because I wanted to punish him, but because I knew the moment I heard his voice, whatever control I had left would disappear. I needed time before I listened to explanations or promises I wasn't ready to hear.

By the time I got off the bus, my face felt tight from crying and my head ached. Instead of going home and facing an empty house, I took a taxi to Josh's place.

I stood outside his door for several seconds, trying to pull myself together before ringing the bell. Josh opened it moments later, and the smile on his face disappeared as soon as he saw me.

"Mia?"

I tried to smile. "Hi."

His eyes moved over my face. "What happened?"

"Can I come in?"

"Of course."

He immediately stepped aside, but I had barely entered the living room when another familiar voice reached me.

"Who is it?"

Daniel appeared from the other side of the room with a glass in his hand, and the moment he saw me, his relaxed expression vanished.

"Mia?"

I stared at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Josh invited me over." His gaze settled on my swollen eyes. "What happened?"

"Nothing."

Josh closed the door behind me. "Try again."

"I'm okay. I'm just tired."

Daniel set his glass down. "Mia, your eyes are swollen."

I looked away, and apparently that was enough for both of them. Josh came closer, concern filling his face.

"Who made you cry?"

Something about the question broke through the last of my control. I covered my face as the tears came again, and Josh immediately pulled me into his arms.

"Hey. It's okay."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't know."

"Then stop apologizing."

I buried my face against him, hating that I was crying again but unable to stop. Daniel remained nearby, his face filled with worry, but neither of them pushed me for answers until I finally calmed down.

Josh guided me to the couch and sat beside me while Daniel took the chair across from us. After several seconds of silence, Josh reached for my hand.

"Tell us."

I stared at our joined hands. I hadn't planned on telling anyone tonight, but these were my best friends. They knew me too well for me to pretend nothing was wrong, and neither of them was going to let me leave without knowing what had happened.

"Rafael is dying."

Daniel straightened. "What?"

"The doctors gave him less than a year."

"Jesus, Mia," Josh murmured.

"Tonight was supposed to be different." I struggled to keep my voice steady. "Liam prepared a small gathering at his mansion because he was finally going to tell his father about our engagement and ask for his blessing, but he never got the chance."

"What happened?" Daniel asked.

"Before Liam could tell him, Rafael announced that the operation hadn't worked and his condition was worse than he'd been telling everyone." I swallowed against the tightness in my throat. "Then he told Liam he had one last request."

Josh frowned. "What did he ask?"

My fingers curled against my palm. "He asked Liam to marry Glydel."

Silence filled the room.

Josh stared at me. "What?"

I forced myself to meet his eyes. "And Liam said yes."

His hand tightened around mine as Daniel leaned forward.

"He agreed?" Daniel asked.

I nodded.

"While he's engaged to you?" Josh demanded.

"Yes."

His jaw hardened. "What the hell was he thinking? He proposed to you, and now he agrees to marry someone else?"

"He had just found out his father was dying."

"That doesn't make this okay."

"I didn't say it did." My voice cracked, and some of the anger immediately left his face. "I'm hurt, Josh. I don't know what happens after this, but Liam wasn't happy when he said yes. He looked shattered."

Daniel watched me carefully. "You understand why he did it."

"I wish I didn't."

Josh leaned back and dragged a hand over his face. "I still don't like it."

"Neither do I."

"He should have told his father about you."

"Maybe he will."

"And if he doesn't?"

My gaze dropped to the engagement ring on my finger. "Then I'll have my answer."

Josh's expression softened while Daniel rested his arms on his knees.

"Do you think Liam actually intends to marry Glydel?" Daniel asked.

"No."

The answer came without hesitation, making both of them look at me.

"I know Liam. Whatever happened tonight, I don't believe he suddenly decided he wanted to marry her."

"Then why did you leave?" Josh asked.

"Because I couldn't stay after hearing his answer. I was already falling apart, and Rafael had just told his family he was dying. I wasn't going to walk into the middle of that and make the night about me."

Daniel nodded slowly. "That sounds like you."

I gave him a weak smile just as my phone vibrated again, drawing all three of our attention toward my bag.

"Liam?" Josh asked.

I nodded.

"How many times has he called?"

"I stopped counting."

"Are you going to answer?"

"Not yet."

Josh squeezed my hand. "You don't have to until you're ready."

Daniel was quiet for a moment before speaking. "I can't blame Liam for what happened, but I'm sure he's already looking for you."

"You really think so?"

He gave me a look. "Mia, that man nearly lost his mind when you were kidnapped. Do you honestly think he's sitting peacefully at home while you're missing and ignoring his calls?"

Despite everything, my chest tightened.

Josh sighed. "For once, I agree with Daniel."

"For once?"

"You know what I mean."

A small laugh escaped me before I could stop it, easing some of the pressure in my chest.

Josh wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Whatever happens, you're not dealing with it alone."

Daniel nodded. "Liam owes you an explanation, and you deserve to hear it when you're ready."

I looked between the two men who had stood beside me through some of the worst moments of my life. "Thank you."

"Always," Josh said, squeezing my shoulder.

The doorbell rang, and all three of us went still.

Josh frowned toward the door. "I'm not expecting anyone."

Daniel looked at me, and my heart suddenly began pounding.

Josh walked toward the entrance. I heard the lock turn, followed by the door opening and several seconds of silence.

Then Josh spoke.

"Liam."

My breath caught as I slowly stood.

Liam appeared in the doorway, his eyes immediately finding mine. He looked tense and exhausted, as though he had spent every minute since I left trying to find me.

Then he saw my swollen eyes, and something in his expression broke.

Neither of us spoke. We simply stared at each other across the room, carrying all the pain and questions neither of us knew how to put into words.

Then Liam stepped inside.