Chapter 157 Her, As His Support
Later that evening, William was pacing around the study, the space felt small, consuming his ability to perceive.
His mind constantly struck on what happened, stealing his breaths away. Arabella noticed his distress and narrowed her eyes in confusion.
“What happened? You look quite perturbed.”
“I…” His steps slowed down, pressing his teeth together, hand curling in a fist.
“I shouldn’t have treated Auntie like this. I-I have never raised my voice against her before.” He whispered worriedly.
Closing her book with a ‘thud’ sound, she rose from her seat and stood before him sternly.
“Do you regret standing up for your wife?”
“No,” he snapped, the answer instinctive and honest. But then his shoulders slumped, and his gaze dropped to the floor. “But I know her wrath, Bella. I’ve lived it. I didn’t want you to see it. I didn’t want her to turn it on you.”
“Let her try,” Arabella countered, stepping into his space.
“What could she do? What is there to be afraid of?”
“Nothing...”
“Then stop trembling.” Her expression softened, and she reached out to cup his face.
William refused to lift his eyes, filling her with compassion. She wanted to eradicate his troubles and sorrow but he wasn't letting her.
“William, are you hiding something from me?”
“No….”
Her features softened, “Then why are you so afraid? Whatever happened in the past, is in the past, William. There is nothing to worry about.”
Closing his eyes briefly, overflowing with a dejection he was impotent to control and kissed her hands.
“Promise me, Bella.” He gasped for air, desperation filling the air as if he was terrified of losing her and used the swear as a silk fetter.
“Promise that no matter what happens you won’t abandon me. Promise me that you will prove yourself right.”
Closing her eyes, she placed their locked hands over her forehead as a sign of veneration too.
“I promise, William, I will not leave. No matter what.”
Opening their eyes, their heartbeats synced, lips parting with a need of collision to forget all their troubles. Leaning down, William brushed his lips against her.
Before they could submerge in the tenderness of the moment, a distinctive sound came from the lounge. Bewildered by what it could be, they got out and saw Liyah was dragging her back.
The amount of pride she entered this place and pressed authority on William was replaced with the bitter taste of defeat.
She realized she couldn’t control him after the marriage, he was… slipping out of hands.
As the final attempt of forcing him into submission, she was dragging the luggage across the floor that made William shift instantly. Holding his hand out to help her.
"Auntie, what are you-"
"Don’t call me that," Liyah snapped, tossing a suitcase onto the floor, pointing a finger furiously at him with bloodshot eyes.
"I will not stay a second longer where I am disrespected." To her growling, the room went silent.
William’s shoulder tensed up so he glanced at Arabella for a suggestion, gaze narrowing to show he didn't want this.
Arabella didn’t react, she simply waited for him to make his decision, to check if they were making progress or if they were still where they were before leaving.
Defeated, William shifted back to Liyah, his shoulders slumping in a habit of old defeat and took two steps back.
"...If that’s what you want. Goodbye."
“Oh, William, you don’t realize what a terrible mistake you are making.” Liyah gasped, realizing her bluff had been called, her face burning with uncontrollable embarrassment.
William didn’t move. Arabella gracefully leaned against the wall, arms folding at her chest accompanied by a triumphant smirk.
“You…” Liyah lost her composure and raised her hand to push William and lacerate his skin with her nail, “How dare you!”
But Arabella slipped in between, holding her wrist to not hurt her man more than she already did. Staggering both of them.
“If anyone dared to hurt my man,” Arabella’s twisted with an incredible, enough to break her wrist before snarling, “I will give them twice as much pain,”
William instinctively moved and held her shoulders before she could break her bone or something. His eyes linked with her fierce one, the devotion to protect him burning.
His heart skipped a beat, body swaying with a weakness he never realized existed in him. For the first time in his life, William felt protected.
“Bella, Bella, no,”
Arabella’s gaze darkened, glaring at Liyah who stood trembling in dread, holding her wrist. Eyes widening with fear, her steps stumbled.
She looked at William to take a stand for her which he didn't and kept standing behind Arabella, his hand resting over her shoulder to control her from bursting and deal further damage.
After being completely insulted, Liyah roughly grabbed her luggage and glared at the couple.
“Don’t worry, I know how to handle you.” She let out a dark, dangerous smile that sent a shiver down William’s spine.
What he was terrified of the most was occurring and to his uttermost surprise, he did nothing to prevent it.
He just stood behind his wife, nail powerlessly digging onto her shoulder that got Arabella’s attention.
She saw him breaking, quivering, completely afraid but as long as she stood there.
He had… hope. Hope that she won’t let him scatter and doesn't beg for forgiveness like he always did.
With her eyes becoming harsher, Liyah pushed her hair back and left with an enunciation that was no less than a proclamation of destruction.
“You will see all actions have their consequences, William Grayson.”
The second Liyah was gone, WIlliam collapsed. He let out a sharp, prickling breath at the back of his throat. His knees buckle, causing him to fall to his knees.
Arabella moved and held him by the shoulder, trying to support him. The sight of his fall induced a painful sensation in her body.
“William-! What happened?”
“We shouldn’t have...” he whispered, his eyes wide, “She’s going to burn it all down, Bella. You don’t know what she’s capable of.”
“Hey, look at me,” She called in her gentlest tone, shifting to her knees as well while holding his face in her palm.
“No matter what happens. I am here for you, for us. You are not alone anymore. Do you understand that?” She let out a gentle but firm whisper, doing her best to reduce his stress.
His gaze lifted painfully but finding his shore in her proximity, he nodded, resting his forehead on her shoulder.
His body surrendered unknowingly as his hands clamped around her, accepting her words blindly.
“... Yes.”