Chapter 156 Defending Her
The scent of garlic and butter filled the kitchen, Arabella was humming to herself. Liyah was on the opposite side, waiting for an explanation to hear what happened.
But, Arabella acted, nothing happened as she pulled a bubbling lasagna from the oven.
William stepped into the room, his composure restored to his calm and collected one. He had showered away the sweat of his breakdown.
Though his eyes remained fixed on Arabella as if it was the only sight he needed for his sanity. His eyes couldn’t allow her to vanish.
Liyah was already there, on a stool, her face set in an offended dignity. She cleared her throat, waiting for the apology she felt was her birthright.
"William-"
Arabella moved like a flash, sliding between them before the name could even leave Liyah’s lips and grinned at her man.
"Are you feeling better, William?" She leaned against the counter, blocking Liyah from his view while tugging a strand of his hair behind his ear, leaving him mesmerized.
"What can I get you? I will order anything you want myself, straight from your phone." She winked playfully.
William’s lips curled into a faint, tired smile, "That sounds like a lot of effort, Bella."
"It is," she chirped, her eyes dancing with a playfulness, "Especially since I doubt you will want to eat... this." She presented the tray of lasagna.
“My, my,” William leaned in, inhaling the steam, undoubtedly impressed, "You made this? It smells... incredible. Can I have a bite?"
"Open up," she whispered, feeding him a forkful.
"The spices are just slightly off," he murmured, his hand resting on her shoulder, checking it out, "But it’s the best thing I have tasted in years. Truly."
Liyah sat in a suffocating silence, her face turning a dangerous shade of crimson when the couple exchanged a chuckle.
“Don’t exaggerate. It isn’t anything before your cooking skills.”
“But, I don’t have time or patience to make things like these… for myself.” He accepted sheepishly.
He would, without hesitation, do everything for everything but when it came to himself. He was too… exhausted.
Arabella couldn’t help but to smile compassionately. She had seen his devotion too, she knew he never had time for…. himself.
Unknowingly her hand caressed his cheek.
“It’s alright. I am here now. You can tell me. I will do anything for you.” She whispered sincerely, resting her head against his shoulder, gripping him firmly.
William chuckled faintly, ruffling her hair, “For now. I would love it if you could serve your masterpiece, Madam.”
“Sure. Why not?”
With a beautiful laughter echoing in the air, they sat down for dinner, completely drowned in each other that they failed to notice the glare from Liyah.
Later, on Sunday, things were fine but Liyah had enough, she was at her limit. Liyah called William for her tea.
He stepped aside, his head tilted slightly, his eyes fixed on the door behind him, picking the kettle.
"William,” Before he could start, Arabella came, her hand elegantly in the air, eyes on the book in her hand, "Sparkling water. Two slices of lime. No ice. Please?"
Without a word of protest, without even a glance toward his aunt, the man who once left everything on her command turned and walked toward the bar.
Liyah’s eyes narrowed, losing her composure, "William? What are you doing? Didn’t you hear me?"
William paused, glancing at her, back to the glass, "I am taking care of my wife, Auntie. Your tea will be ready soon."
“How come this comes first when I am here?!” She snapped, stomping her heel on the ground,
Liyah stood up. She turned her venom on Arabella glaring at her who stood victoriously. Showing her her challenge was not hollow.
“You… You have done something to him."
“She had done nothing, Auntie. You are exaggerating.” William sighed, still focused on Arabella’s glass.
“Yeah, I can take a look at your tea-”
“I don’t want ‘you’ to do it. I want William to do my things!”
Arabella sank into the chair, crossing her legs, looking up at the older woman with a blank expression and decided to piss her off more.
"He has finally found someone worth listening to."
"You little-" Liyah stepped forward, her hand twitching as if searching for something to hit her with.
"Don't," William’s voice cut through the air, leaving all his words, refusing his face to face the same outcome as his.
He appeared at Arabella’s side. He stood behind her, his large hands resting possessively on her shoulders, sending a glare towards Liyah.
He was a shield again. He was protecting the woman only he was allowed to lay his eyes upon.
"You are making a fool of yourself, Liyah," Arabella shrugged, leaning into William’s touch, leaving her defeated and infuriated.
Looking up at him with a sugary but wicked smile, "William, tell her. Tell her, whose home is this?"
William leaned down, his lips brushing Arabella’s temple in a display of devotion that made Liyah step back in disgust.
"Everything I have belongs to her," William murmured, his eyes locking onto Liyah intensely, burying his face in her neck.
"My name. My fortune. My breaths. All of me."
Liyah trembled, the power she had spent a decade cultivating evaporating in the heat of his obsession.
"You have turned him into a dog,"
She reached up, taking William’s hand and kissing his palm, her eyes never leaving Liyah’s crumbling face, eyes softening.
“Have I, William?”
“No. I am the one who… placed you above all.”
“See.”
“Now, please, Liyah. Kindly do not disrespect me in my own home. You wouldn’t like my William breaking the line of respect, again.”
Liyah opened her mouth to retort, but William took a single step forward, his shadow engulfing her. The predatory light in his eyes was enough to stop Liyah.
Liyah turned and fled, back to her room with a defeat she never experienced before. When she was gone, William let out the breath he held back and turned to Arabella who got up and held his face.
"Thank you, William,"
"Was that enough?" he whispered, his voice desperate, “Enough to satisfy you?"
"Yes," she promised, her fingers tangling in his hair, “But…”
“But?”
“I just sometimes wonder, when you, who couldn't endure the heartbeat of another between us. How come you are tolerating that woman for these weeks?” She asked genuinely, noticing how his body was turning cold in dread as she failed to comprehend why.
“Isn’t it unbearable for you?”
“It is. But… I can’t. I can’t throw her out. Not from this house, or from my life.” He confessed, glancing at the room once again in fear of infuriating the woman he never dared to.
“Why not?”
Lowering his gaze in defeat, William confessed in a broken tone, “Ties that bind us are… too sharp. If I try to cut them, I will only cut myself, Bella.”