Chapter 57 How Heavy Could They Be?
“No,” she murmured, lowering her head as her heart raced.
Catching the faint flush creeping up her cheeks, he knew she was lying.
Without warning, he bent down and scooped her up.
Startled, she gasped and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
⸻
Ben stood rooted to the spot.
Just wait a little longer, Emma…
“Had enough, Ben?” Charles sneered, lighting a cigarette. “It’s your wedding day, and your ex is getting cozy with another man. Quite the spectacle.”
“Uncle…” Chloe ground out.
“Your man doesn’t give a damn about you,” Charles continued coolly. “Don’t wake up one day and realise you were fooled.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, Uncle,” Ben snapped, his jaw twitching.
Charles merely shot Chloe a dismissive glance before boarding the sightseeing tram again.
…
⸻
The suite door beeped open.
The room was spacious, dominated by a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the estate grounds.
Emma stepped inside first, her feet sinking into the plush carpet.
Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her from behind. He buried his face into the curve of her neck and inhaled deeply.
“Did you bring it?” he asked, his voice rough against her ear.
His hand slid from her waist to her back, pressing through the fabric as his heat seeped into her skin.
“What?” She stiffened slightly, feigning innocence.
“Condom,” he said bluntly, his lips brushing her earlobe.
Her face flushed instantly.
He released her and walked straight to her suitcase.
Crouching down, he unzipped the outer pocket and retrieved the small square box. Before leaving the villa, she had slipped it inside, certain no one would notice.
The sharp rip of plastic echoed in the room.
He stood and returned to her, tearing open the silver wrapper with practiced ease.
“How many do you want tonight?” he asked lightly.
Her breath hitched as she turned her face away.
“Hm?” He stepped closer, lifting her chin with one finger.
“Then we’ll use them all. No need to carry them back—too troublesome.”
“You—” Her voice wavered, embarrassment creeping in.
“How heavy could they be?”
“They’re not heavy,” he admitted, lowering his head to kiss her as his other hand found the zipper at her back.
“But I don’t want to keep them.”
The skirt slid soundlessly to the floor.
Still kissing her, he guided her toward the window.
Her back pressed against the cool glass, sending a sharp shiver through her.
His solid, heated body closed in, the contrast making her gasp.
“Look outside,” he murmured as his lips traced down her collarbone.
Forced to stare at the distant lake beyond the glass, the sensations inside her intensified.
Emma trembled against the floor-to-ceiling window, shame washing over her.
She felt exposed, as though unseen eyes were watching.
Sweat beaded as their breaths tangled.
She lost herself completely as Liam took her.
When it ended, she lay spent in his arms.
He held her from behind, his arm draped across her waist, fingers laced with hers.
…
She lay on the bed, watching the wedding unfolding on the lawn in the distance.
Liam emerged from the bathroom, a bathrobe hanging loosely from his shoulders.
He settled onto the sofa and followed her line of sight.
“Still care about him?” he asked.
“No.”
“Are you with me just to forget him?” he pressed.
“Follow your heart,” she replied.
He chuckled softly.
⸻
Evening fell.
Hunger stirred Emma awake.
Liam led her to the lakeside lawn, where tables and chairs were arranged in a carefully curated, romantic setting.
“I was supposed to take you out, but now you’re leading me instead.” Emma felt a flicker of embarrassment.
He took her hand naturally, though she still felt slightly self-conscious.
“It’s all the same,” he said.
“But this place is expensive.”
He smiled, guiding her to a table nestled between two bald cypress trees by the lake.
Warm ambient lighting bathed the table, a bouquet of tulips set neatly at its centre.
“The owner here must be a romantic,” Emma remarked.
“Hmm. Maybe.”
Soon, the waitstaff arrived with ribeye steak, pesto-baked jumbo shrimp, and dry-cured ham paired with fish fillet.
“This steak isn’t as good as yours.” She cut a small piece and tasted it.
He smiled, saying nothing.
“I turned off your phone earlier. Aren’t you worried someone might need you?” she asked.
“It’s rare to have this kind of quiet. Besides,” he added lightly, “I listen to my wife.”
“Does that mean you’ll listen to everything I say?” Emma laughed.
“As long as it doesn’t lead to divorce, I’ll listen.”
“What if you cheat?” she teased.
“If I cheat, I’ll leave with nothing. I’ll draft the contract tomorrow.”
She froze, then lifted her glass, taking a slow sip of red wine to steady herself.
“No need to give up everything. If you cheat, I’ll cut it off myself,” Emma said calmly.
He burst into laughter.
…
They talked for a long time.
Plates were cleared, dessert and more wine brought out.
Emma felt slightly tipsy, resting her chin in her hand as she watched a woman playing the violin nearby.
“I see an old friend. I’ll go say hello. Stay here,” Liam said, his gaze settling on a man nearby.
“Okay.”
He leaned down, pressing a brief kiss to her forehead before walking away.
⸻
An unfamiliar scent drifted toward her.
She turned and froze.
Steven was already seated across from her.
“Is he someone you like?” he asked, setting down his wine glass.
“Yeah.”
“How’s your mother?” he continued.
“Do you know my mother?”
“I’m glad to see you,” he said, taking a sip of wine.
“How glad?” Emotion surged unexpectedly, fuelled by alcohol.
Before he could answer, she interrupted, “We’re not close, Steven.”
“I missed you both. I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “Seeing how close you and Lily are makes me happy.”
“We’re both doing fine in our own lives. Lily may not want to know about this.”
“I understand.” He smiled faintly, rose with his glass, and stepped away.
She nodded, returning the smile.
As she watched him leave, a heaviness settled in her chest.