Chapter 122 Chapter 122
Stanley’s POV
The front door clicked softly behind me. For a moment, I just stood there, my hand still on the knob. The night air clung to my clothes. It was cold, I smelt like a faint smell of car exhaust, and the bitter scent of burnt coffee beans from the café where I had just been.
I didn’t move right away. The living room was quiet but not peaceful. The lamp in the corner gave off a low orange glow, just enough to make out the small ways the room had been disturbed. A cushion on the couch was turned the wrong way. One of the chairs was slightly pulled out from the table. All these little signs that strangers had been here earlier, walking through the space like they owned it. It made my skin crawl.
Then I heard them.
Voices floated down from upstairs. At first it was muffled, like the sound of a television in another room. But the longer I stood there, the clearer it became.
It was Liana’s voice, warm, but carrying that tired edge she had been wearing lately. Serena’s voice was lighter, almost playful.
“I really admire what you and Stanley have,” Serena said.
I stayed where I was, my hand resting on the doorframe. I didn’t know if I should walk in and make myself known or just stay still and listen. I chose to stay still.
Liana gave a short laugh. I couldn’t see but I knew it was the kind of laugh that used to reach her eyes, but not anymore.
“It’s not anything solid yet,” she said. “But I’m glad I have him in my corner.”
Those words hit me harder than I expected. My chest tightened without warning. Serena’s tone shifted to teasing. “To think you never even liked this guy from the beginning , yours is a different story”
“I know right,” Liana admitted, and I could hear the smile in her voice. “But the world’s small. Who’d have thought my e -husband’s brother would end up being the one person who makes my life feel better again?”
She paused, and when she spoke again, her voice softened in a way that made my throat feel dry.
“I’m just really glad I have Stanley. I hope he knows how much I love him.”
I forgot to breathe for a moment. The words stayed with me, hanging there like the air had gotten heavier. I wish you could say those words to me Liana and trust me I do. I really wanted to say those words to her but it took me all the self control not to.
Then I heard the bed creak, the sound of someone standing up. “I’ll leave you to get some rest now,” Liana said.
I moved without thinking. My feet carried me away from the door and toward the stairs, quick but quiet. My heart beat hard in my chest, like it wanted to get to her before I did. By the time I reached the first landing, the bedroom door upstairs opened. I started climbing up, pretending I was just coming back.
Liana stepped out and froze when she saw me climbing toward her.
“You’re back?”
“Yes,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “Just got in.”
Something in her face changed. It wasn’t guarded exactly, but it was… still. Like she had just hidden a part of herself away before I could see it.
She doesn’t know. She doesn’t know what’s going on in my head. She doesn't know I heard and I wanted it to stay like that..Tell me exactly how you feel without me having to overhear it by accident, Liana.
“How did it go?” she asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I raised an eyebrow. “How did what go?”
She tilted her head a little, almost smiling. “With Norlan, of course.”
That stopped me for a second, was She stalking too?. “How did you know I was going to see Nolan?”
“I know you, Stanley,” she said. “You didn’t tell me because you didn’t want me to worry, but I know how you move. I was sure that’s where you went.”
I let out a quiet breath. “You win. I didn't want you worried but I did go to see him. Nolan’s agreed to help us crack the system. He’s coming tomorrow.”
She nodded once. “Okay.”
I glanced toward Serena’s room. We stood quiet and I sought for words to say.
“You should probably head home now. Let me drop you off.” I finally said.
She shook her head. “No, it’s too late. I’ll just stay. I can drive in the morning.”
She started to turn away, but the words came out before I could stop them. “Liana, about yesterday…”
Her back went stiff. She didn’t turn around.
“Let’s not talk about yesterday now, Stan.” she said softly. Let's be content in the moment we have and just get through this court case first.”
The space between us felt heavier than the shadows on the stairs but I said nothing.
Liana's POV
Stanley didn't tell it all to me. I glimpsed it in the firmness of his jaw, the rigidity of his shoulders even when he was sitting.
I didn't ask. Not yet. The thing was, I didn't know what scared me more, what had happened or the way Stanley seemed to be ready to burn down the whole city to find out who did it.
I was just really happy I had him and I had that conversation with Serena. Norlan was the missing piece in out tussle and having him now, my chest felt lighter.