Chapter 2
I forced a nod, the countertop’s edge digging into my palms. My determination became stronger with each step he took in my direction.
“Liam,” I stated calmly but firmly, “we need to talk.”
When his smile faltered, he set the food bag on the counter. “It seems like a major matter. Is everything okay?
“Not really.” I folded my arms across my chest, trying to even out the trembling in my voice. “Who is Isabel?”
His countenance had changed slightly yet noticeably. A moment of amazement that was quickly eclipsed by indifference. “What is the source of this?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Avoid deflecting. I heard you on the phone last night.
Liam spoke calmly despite his stiff jaw. “She is just a longtime friend. We hadn’t spoken for a while, and she wanted advice on something.”
“Suggestions?” I said it again, the word coated with disbelief. “You told her that you were worried about her, Liam. That doesn’t sound like advice, in my opinion.”
He combed through his hair, his tone tinted with irritation. “It’s not what you think, Nora. Isabel and myself… We have history, yes, but it’s very old. Right now, nothing is happening.”
“So why did you not tell me that you were speaking with her?” I yelled and made a demand. “If it’s so innocent, why keep it a secret?”
Liam approached with his palms raised in a gesture of appeasement. “Because I anticipated this reaction from you.”
The sound of my bitter laugh was disagreeable, even to my own ears. “Answer like this? When I hear my sweetheart having a private conversation with his ex, do you intend to ask?”
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “You see, I didn’t mean to irritate you. I should have said the truth. I get it. But I can tell you that you’re reading too much into this.”
His words seemed weak, like a hastily assembled justification. I wanted to push more, but I stopped when he gave me a half-pleading, half-defensive look.
“Liam, please tell me the truth,” I muttered. Completely honest. Is there anything I should know?
He hesitated for much too long, and I could feel the last of my trust in him begin to wane.
At last, he answered in a kind but unconvincing manner, “There’s nothing, Nora. You are the only one I care about. The only one I want.”
The words should have reassured me, but they didn’t. Instead, they hung between us, false and heavy.
So the next day I was standing in front of the closet, staring blankly at the rows of gowns. Liam convinced me to accompany him to a charity banquet after our acrimonious dispute, saying that we had to show unity.
He had disarmed his smile and replied, “It’ll be good for us. An opportunity to start over and remind ourselves of what’s important.”
I didn’t have the energy to argue, but it felt like I was playing a role I no longer fit when I thought of parading around in public with him.
Behind me, Liam sprung up and yelled, “Wear the red one.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. “You look amazing in red all the time.”
I faked a small smile as I took the outfit off the hanger. “Yes.”
The occasion was as glamorous as I had expected. The room was filled with laughing and the sound of glasses clinking, and the crystal chandeliers cast a pleasant glow. Liam effortlessly enthralled the audience and was in his element.
I stayed at his side, using my glass of champagne as a prop and a distraction. I glanced around the room, half expecting to see Isabel’s face among the sea of strangers.
Liam presented me to a silver-haired man whose company was funding the event. “This is Andrew, Nora,” he said.
“Nice to meet you,” I said as I shook his hand, but my mind was elsewhere.
Andrew said, “This is a great partner for you,” gesturing to Liam. “One of the most intelligent people I’ve ever worked with.”
I forced myself not to smile politely as I asked what kind of intelligence was needed to deal with secrets.
As the evening wore on, I noticed that I was becoming increasingly absorbed in my thoughts. The gentle touch of Liam’s palm on my back was a dim recollection of his presence, but it felt weird now.
I said, “Pardon me for a second,” and stepped aside to get some fresh air.
I made my way to the terrace since the cool night breeze was a welcome change from the stuffy interior. I leaned on the railing, my breath trembling.
“Nora?”
As soon as my name was announced, I turned suddenly. Isabel stood a few steps away, her form visible in the soft glow of the yard lights.
For a while, we were quiet. Her face was hazy, but her eyes never wavered.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” she finally said in a light, slightly dark voice.
I responded, “Neither was I,” in a strained voice.
She moved closer, her sneakers clicking softly on the stone floor. “You want to know why I’m here.”
I said nothing, which is a response in itself.
Isabel’s lips curled into a faint smile. “I guess Liam kept it from you.”
My chest tightened. “Tell me what?”
She had a spark in her eyes that was almost predatory. “I’m more than just an old friend.” I am the reason he has been so busy lately.
I gripped the railing tighter, my fingertips becoming white. “What are you discussing?”
She tilted her head to study me. She turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowd before I could respond, saying, “Ask him yourself.”
As I stood there, her remarks weighed heavy on me. Each inquiry I asked was more damaging than the last.
Behind me, Liam’s voice drifted through the open door and yelled my name.
I turned back toward the ballroom, my heart pounding. Tonight and the falsehoods weren’t over yet.
The air in the ballroom was thicker after Isabel’s mysterious comments on the terrace. The soft strings of a live orchestra and the chatter of discussion drowned out the click of my heels on the marble floor as I re-entered the gala. However, my heart was beating rapidly.
