Chapter 11
I held the folder close to my chest as I went out into the chilly air as the café door chimed softly With the weight of what I had just discovered bearing down on me, my mind was a jumble of incredulity and rage. However, I couldn’t help but worry as I made my way back to my car was this the end, or was this just another beginning that I wasn’t prepared for?
**Liam’s POV**
The house was suffocatingly quiet. Every room reverberated with Nora’s departure, the once- comfortable warmth giving way to an unshakeable cold. She was gone, genuinely gone, and I was the only one respon
I held the ripped photo in my hands as I sat on the couch’s edge. The phrases in her note were engraved in my memory as it lay next to me. “Don’t try to find me.”
However, I desired to My entire body begged me to call her and to drive around the city until t could locate her. But I knew in my heart that nothing would change. She had already made up her mind
I jolted out of my reverie as I heard the doorbell. I looked at the clock and scowled. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and it was too late for delivery.
Isabel was standing on the other side as I opened the door, her triumphant smile shining brightly
As she brushed past me and entered the home, she said, “Are you surprised to see me?”
I shut the door, my annoyance rising to the surface. “Why are you in this place?”
With a light tone and keen gaze, she added, “I heard Nora left” “I thought maybe you could use some company.”
“How did you find out about that?” I crossed my arms and commanded.
Leaning against the back of the couch, she grinned “Liam, people talk. You are aware of that.
The wrath
that was k
beneath the surface threatened to explode, so I tightened my jaw.”
Isabel, now is not a good time.”
She rolled her eyes and replied, “Oh, come on.” “Don’t pretend that this is a catastrophe. You weren’t meant for Nora. She didn’t get you the way I do.
1 looked aside, stroking my hair as her comments struck a chord. “You have no idea what you’re discussing
She retorted, her voice tightening, “Don’t I?” “I’ve always had a special bond with you, Liam. Both you and I are aware of it. The fact that Nora left only confirms what we both knew: she couldn’t
handle you
7/1
“That’s unfair,” I murmured quietly.
“Just?” Isabel gave a sharp, acrid laugh. “After everything, you’re actually going to stand up for her? Liam, she abandoned you. She departed.
I turned to her and yelled, “Because I gave her a reason to,” “I told her a falsehood. I violated her confidence. What did you anticipate happening?
Isabel’s confidence cracked just a little, and her smirk wavered. She lacked the strength to defend. you. I never would have left in that manner.
Despite her best efforts to calm me, her remarks made my stomach sink even farther. As I looked at her, the realization came to me gradually.
I remarked in a calm but stern voice, “Isabel, this isn’t a game.” “I was loved by Nora. She had faith in me And for what purpose did I throw it all away? For a pointless purpose?
She stepped closer as her eyes sparkled. Meaningless? To you, is that who I am?
My chest constricted as 1 confessed, “I have no idea what you are.” But I am aware of what I have lost as a result of you. It’s more than I ever made, too
With my remarks weighing heavily on both of us, the room grew silent. Isabel’s face changed, showing more vulnerability in place of her assurance.
She reached for my hand and said quietly, “You’re conlused” “You simply need time to get a clear picture”
I shook my ho
my head and withdrew my hand Isabel, I’ve never been more explicit. It’s not real, whatever this is between us. It’s not affection.
In an instant, the vulnerability vanished from her face, and it hardened. “You’re holding me responsible for your errors? because you were unable to maintain Nora’s happiness?
I said, “I’m blaming myself” “However, I’m also over acting like this is what I want.”
Isabel narrowed her eyes and stepped back. “Liam, you’re doing something wrong. She will not return And don’t count on me to be waiting when you understand that.
Her heels clicked on the wooden floor as she rushed for the door, and I watched. Before she left, she stopped and gave me one more glance.
Her voice was icy as she remarked, “You think youre choosing the high road, but all you’re doing is ending up alone”
Then she was gone.
After she departed, the house became even more silent, and I felt the weight of the empty crushing down on me. I collapsed onto the couch and gazed at the ripped photo that was still on
the coffee table.
Was she correct? Had I done irreparable damage to everything?
I was distracted from my thoughts when I heard my phone buzzing on the coffee table. With a
sinking heart, I took it up and read the notification
Isabel sent a message.
-You’re
going to regret this.”
Leaning back on the couch, I put the phone down and locked the screen
I wasn’t certain of anything anymore for the first time in years.
A few hours later, I was standing in the bedroom, gazing at the side of the closet that was empty for Nora. It was a gut–punch to see, a reminder of how completely she had cut herself out of my life.
After reading her words for the tenth time, I took the folded paper out of my pocket.
“Don’t try to find me. Please refrain from texting or calling.
I wanted to disregard her request and follow her instructions exactly. However, I was always interrupted by something she said.
of h
She was worthy of better.
I started crying for the first time as the concept struck me like a tidal wave
I woke up the following morning to find my house vacant and my heart heaving. With just the gentle hum of the refrigerator to break the silence, poured myself a cup of coffee.
My phone buzzed once more, but with a new alert this time.
A voicemail.
I picked up the phone and listened with a frown.
Isabel’s voice was softer than I had anticipated when she said, “Liam, it’s me “must speak with you. It’s crucial
With a groan, I put the phone down and immediately erased the message.
It made no difference what Isabel intended to say.
Because I was beginning to glimpse the reality for the first time.
In actuality, I might have already lost the most important item.
