Chapter 7
1/3
I was roused from a restless slumber by the gentle chirping of birds outside the cabin window. I lay there for a minute, my thoughts trapped in that fuzzy state between waking and dreaming, where everything seems to be paused. However, reality returned swiftly, keenly, and relentlessly.
My mind was troubled by the message I had seen on Liam’s phone the previous evening. I’m missing you. When you can, give me a call. Isabel’s comments were ingrained in my memory, and
every letter served as a reminder of the betrayal I was attempting to conceal.
With his arm around my waist, Liam stirred next to me. I cocked my head slightly to see his
peaceful sleeping face. How could someone conceal so much while maintaining such a serene
appearance?
Liam proposed that we go fishing by the lake for the day after breakfast. I nodded, but my thoughts were far away. Sitting outside seemed like a good way to collect my thoughts away from
his incessant attention.
The lake’s soft ripples created a false feeling of tranquility as the water shimmered in the midday sun. With a contented sigh, Liam leaned back in his chair and threw his line into the water.
“This is pleasant, isn’t it?” He looked at me and asked.
“It is,” I said in a level voice.
Though it didn’t reach his eyes, he grinned. “You appear preoccupied.”
My heart was racing as I stared at him. “Perhaps I am.”
He replied in a casual tone, “Want to talk about it?” yet there was a tinge of bitterness in his voice.
that made my stomach turn.
I answered, returning my attention to the ocean, “Not at this time.”
We sat in silence for the next hour after Liam didn’t press any harder. But I never found the
tranquility I had longed for.
After supper that night at the cabin, I excused myself and went to the bedroom to wait for Liam to finish cleaning up. With the message from the unidentified number remained unanswered, my
phone rested on the nightstand.
“Did you locate what you were trying to find? You underestimate how bad it is.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to respond, so I hadn’t. The words, however, were now bothering me. This
person, whomever they were, obviously knew something.
I inhaled deeply before typing a reply.
Chapter 7
2/3
“Better,” what do you inean?
With my thumb hovering over the submit button I paused. The bedroom door opened and Liam entered before I could push it.
He leaned against the doorframe and murmured, “Hey,” with a relaxed smile. “What are you
working on?”
I hurriedly answered, “Nothing,” before locking my phone and placing it on the nightstand, face
down.
He scowled a little but remained silent. “Come sit with me by the fire. I don’t want to squander our
final evening here.
I followed him out of the room after nodding.
Warm light filled the living room as the fire crackled in the stone hearth. Liam took the chair across from me and handed me a glass of wine.
His voice was quiet as he replied, “I’m glad we came here.” “It has been beneficial to us.”
“Is it?” Before I could stop myself, I asked.
His forehead furrowed as he gazed at me. “What do you mean?”
My words came out quickly as I continued, “I mean, it feels like we’re pretending everything is
fine when it’s not.”
“Nora…” He leaned forward and put down his drink. ‘I’m trying, even though I realize things haven’t been ideal lately. I want us to return to our previous location, which is why I organized
this journey.
“Where were we?” I said it again in a disbelieving tone. “Where exactly were we, Liam? Because we’re miles distant from where I am.
Rubbing his hands over his face, he let out a sigh. “What you want me to say is unclear to me.”
“The truth,” I stated in a firm voice.
He gazed at me for a long time, his eyes reflecting the firelight. “I’ve told you the truth, Nora.”
“Have you?” With a harsh clink, I put down my glass and inquired. “Because last night I saw Isabel’s message.”
His face turned pale, and he remained silent for a while. He then slowly exhaled while leaning back in his chair. “You looked over my phone?”
yelled, “Don’t turn this around on me.” “Liam, you’re the one with the secrets. I noticed the message. I’m missing you. When you can, give me a call. What does that signify?
Chapter
3/2
With haste, he said, “It’s not what you think.” “I haven’t encouraged Isabel’s recent attempts to contact out. She’s simply going through a difficult moment, and I didn’t want to be unkind to her.
“Gruel?” Incredulous, I repeated. “So you chose to give her the impression that she still has a place
in your life rather than cutting her off?”
As he combed through his hair, he remarked, “It’s complicated.”
I stood up and said, “No, it’s not.” “You can either let the past seep into the present or you can close the door on it. And it’s bleeding all over us right now.
Liam got up as well and grabbed me. “Please, Nora. This is being exaggerated by you. To me, Isabel is meaningless. I adore you more than anyone else
“Love?” With a sour laugh, I took a step back. “Liam, if this is love, I don’t want it.”
Even though his face crumbled, I didn’t mind. I had had enough of his deceptions and half–truths.
I said firmly, “I’m done talking.” “There’s nothing left to say if you can’t tell me the whole truth.”
With my heart racing, I turned and headed toward the bedroom. Liam called my name behind me, but I continued.
I leaned against the door, my chest heaving, and locked it after entering. I went across the room to pick up my phone when it buzzed on the nightstand.
The screen was illuminated by a fresh message from the unidentified number.
“Come see me tomorrow. I’ll provide you with the necessary evidence.
My heart was pounding as I gazed at the letter.
Evidence.
It was time to find out what Liam refused to tell me
I decided what to do the morning after we got back from the cottage. No more second–guessing, no more waiting. I was unable to remain in the world of shadows and half–truths that Liam had created.
