LO
5
I woke up to the stinging smell of antiseptic.
When I opened my swollen eyes, Liam Hayes was sitting by my side. He shot up the moment he saw I was awake.
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“You’re awake? How dare he do this to you?”
Liam’s eyes were red as he punched the wall.
My phone rang then. It had been broken at the auction, so I couldn’t see the caller ID.
I answered, and Declan’s impatient voice came through.
“Aria Maxwell, where the hell are you? Are you still counting your money at the auction? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”
“Get your ass back here and cook for Seraphina…”
I lifted my one upon index finger and pressed the hang–up button.
Slowly, deliberately, I blocked his number.
I turned my head to see Liam, his eyes still red–rimmed.
“Liam, do you have what I asked for?”
He tilted his head back, forcing the tears away.
He turned and handed me a folder.
Slowly, he opened it for me.
A divorce certificate, property division agreement, equity transfer documents…
The breath I’d been holding finally released.
Liam stared intently at me.
“Aria, all those years ago, everyone said he treated you so well, that’s why I felt safe leaving.”
“But now, seeing how he’s treated you, I don’t owe him any loyalty as a friend. I want to marry you. Will you?”
His hands trembled as he braced himself on either side of the bed. His voice was firm, yet subtly shaking.
I nodded silently. Liam’s eyes lit up with unconcealed joy.
The three of us had grown up together. I knew Liam had always liked me.
But my eyes had only ever been on Declan, so I’d always kept my distance.
Not long after Declan and I got married, Liam left the city to pursue business overseas.
Before I called him, I wondered if he’d even respond after all those years.
But the moment I dialed, despite the twenty–plus hour time difference, he picked up instantly.
And my husband of over a decade…
I closed my eyes, the events of the past few days replaying in my mind.
9.51 AM
