Chapter 51-1

Chapter 51 Liam's POV "This is so delicious, Liam. Did you make this?" Alice asked, referring to the sirloin steak. "Yeah." I answered, smiling at her. "I'm so impressed. You're really amazing in everything, Liam." Her eyes gleamed as she stared at me behind the rim of her glass wine. "Thanks. Do you like more wine?" "Yes, please." She smiled brightly at me, looking so happy. I poured her glass with more wine and put it on her side of the dining table. "Mine, too." Lisa said, giving me her glass, then turned to her husband. "Are you done?" "Almost. What's for dessert?" Alessandro asked, looking at mom. "I brought a flan and an apple pie. I'll get them now. They're in the fridge." "I'll do it. I'm going to wash my hands." Dad stood up and went to the kitchen. I was having dinner with my family in my apartment in Manhattan. I wanted a get-together after I told them yesterday that I broke up with Crystal. They were so shocked, asking what happened when we just got married barely two months ago. I told them that I would tell them the whole story after dinner. The dinner was smooth, everyone enjoyed the food. I cooked the Sirloin steak earlier and ordered seafood platter and vegetable salad online. Lisa brought the roasted chicken, pasta and wine, while Mom prepared the dessert. After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room, and they patiently waited for me to talk. The sofa set was huge and could accommodate twelve people, so there was enough room for the six of us. Coffee was served by Lisa, while Dad brought some beer on the center table. Mom sat beside Alice, talking and laughing, while Alessandro kept checking the time in his watch. The doorbell suddenly rang. "Are you expecting someone?" Mom raised her eyebrows, then took a sip of her coffee. "Yeah." I stood up and everyone looked at me curiously. "Don't tell me you have a new chick. You haven't even filed for a divorce." Dad joked, and everyone laughed. I went to the door and opened it. I stared at the woman standing in front of me, looking so beautiful as ever. I had the urge to kiss her and take her in my arms, but I knew she would not welcome it. "Hi." I greeted her, but she ignored me and entered the room with her head held high. Her parents followed her. Opposite to her greeting, they smiled and hugged me. Before I shut the door, I nodded at Jack and glanced at the security team that my father-in-law, Dad Eros, brought with them. Five heads turned towards Crystal and my parents-in-law, looking so surprised. Alessandro's and Lisa's faces lit up, so pleased to see them. Dad Lyndon greeted them with a broad smile and invited them to have a seat. Mom just sat there beside Alice, looking so uneasy. Alice would never be intimidated. She smiled brightly at the newcomers and greeted them, "Good evening. We're so happy that you guys can join us." Crystal ignored her and took a seat on an empty couch. Mama Jade sat beside Lisa, while Dad Eros settled last, he sat beside Crystal. I offered them drinks then sat on a footstool—beside the couch where Crystal settled in. I took the Manila envelope under the center table and put it on top. Everyone looked at it but did not ask. "I gathered you all because... I have a story to tell." Everyone got so curious. Dad who was sleepy earlier was wide awake. Everyone sat up straight ready to listen. "Everything was perfect." I paused, looking at Crystal, then I continued. "The wedding, the honeymoon...until we came back to the island. It happened one week ago. I was still on vacation when the hospital called me to perform an emergency heart surgery to a young boy. There was no available doctor at that moment, so I had to go to save the boy." I exhaled heavily, "Crystal was left enjoying the beach the whole morning, and when she went back to our room, she found these." I removed three photos from the Manila envelope and showed them. The words He's Mine on the mirror. The full page photo of Zaira in the magazine on the vanity table. The wedding gift of a dead rat on the bed. "Oh my God!" Mama Jade looked so shocked, looking at the pictures. She turned to Crystal and asked. "These really happened?" Crystal nodded at her. "Why didn't you inform me right away?" Dad Eros looked furious when he faced me. "That was a serious situation!" "Don't blame Liam. It was my decision to keep it a secret, Dad." Crystal defended me. "You were in Japan when that happened. I did not want to worry you." Dad Eros examined the pictures again, one by one. "That's a very obnoxious behavior. Who the hell did that?" My dad Lyndon bursted. "Zaira obviously. That woman is shameless! To think that she's a famous supermodel, and many young girls adore her." Mom reacted violently. "You're right. Zaira is really a bitch for doing that. That is so disgraceful!" Alice had a disappointed expression, then she turned to Crystal, looking so concerned. "Poor you. That must be so scary."