Chapter 9
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Soft gold streaks painted the bedroom as the morning light filtered through the blinds. I held the
old photo tightly as I sat on the side of the bed. It was a photo of Liam and me on our first
anniversary, from a simpler era. With his arm slung protectively over my shoulders, we were
grinning and carefree. I believed that we were unbeatable at the time.
But we were no longer that version of ourselves
I was made fun
of by the jagged edges of the ripped portrait, which served as a constant reminder of how far we had fallen. My heart heaving at the gravity of what I was about to do, I gazed at it until the faces became blurry.
With his hair disheveled from sleep, Liam emerged at the doorway. His face was kind, almost childlike, as he rested against the frame. “You get up early.
I put the picture face down on the nightstand and answered, “Couldn’t sleep.”
His hand brushed mine as he crossed the room to sit next to me. His voice was low as he replied, “I know things have been tense lately” But, Nora, I want to make this right. I want us to get back to normal.
I looked across at him, examining his features. He appeared serious, but Liam’s earnestness had turned into a slick façade, a mask he put on when the truth was too awkward
“How?” My voice was quieter than I meant when I asked. “What are your plans for repairing something that is already damaged?”
His jaw tensed, and he grasped my hands tightly while maintaining a warm hold. “By expressing my love for you.” By reminding you of what we’ve created together and what we have.
I amended, removing my hands, “What we had.” “Liam, what we constructed is no longer there. The once you lied to me, you ruined it.
He winced as though I had hit him. “Alright, I made mistakes. However, everyone does. That does not preclude us from overcoming them.
“Go over them?” I got to my feet, laughing cruelly. This isn’t about forgetting to take out the garbage, Liam. I was betrayed by you. You told a lie. You also continue to lie.
With a spark of desperation in his eyes, he rose up as well. “I didn’t intend to cause you any harm.
I promise I didn’t. I simply–I had no idea how to deal with things. Isabel. He walked away while stroking his hair.
I crossed my arms and shouted sharply, “Say it.” “What is Isabel?”
“She meant nothing,” he murmured hastily. “It was an error–a foolish, pointless error.”
Anger and grief tightened my chest as I shook my head. So why does she remain in your life? Why is she sending you texts, visiting our house, and behaving as though she owns a part of you?
He hesitated, and that was all I needed for an answer.
“Are you even able to hear yourself?” I raised my voice and asked. You continue to defend her. Even when it’s pulling us apart, I’m still defending her.
Liam took a stride toward me, his hands outstretched. “Please, Nora. The person I adore is you. The sole one. Whatever it takes, I’ll cut her off–block her, remove her number, etc. Don’t give up on us, please.
My heart was aching again as I looked at him. I wanted to fall into his arms, to believe him, to act as though nothing was wrong. However, I was unable to It was impossible to ignore the weight of his lies that hovered between us like an unspoken truth.
I stepped back and murmured, “I can’t do this anymore.”
He seemed completely confused for a moment as his face crumbled. Don’t say that, Nora. This is something we can resolve. We are able to.
Even though I was crying, I answered, “No, Liam,” in a firm voice. “We are unable to ”
Liam hovered nearby, watching me with a mix of grief and astonishment while I packed the last of my possessions in a haze for the remainder of the day. Every time he attempted to speak with. me, I cut him off. Nothing else could be said.
I was standing in the living room with the ripped photo in my hands as the sun started to set. I smoothed it out as best I could and set it on the coffee table. It served as a farewell gesture and a reminder of what we had lost and what I was deciding to let go of
Liam’s face sank when he saw it when he went in His voice was hardly audible above a whisper when he inquired, “What is this?”
“It’s us,” I stated plainly.
Holding the fragments as though they may mend themselves magically, he scooped them up. What are you doing?”
I answered in a broken voice, “Because I can’t keep pretending.“”I can’t hope you’ll be someone you’re not forever.”
His hands shaking, he dropped the picture back on the table. “Nora, you are loved.” I will stop at nothing to demonstrate that.
I whispered, “Love isn’t enough sometimes.”
With every step, my heart broke as I picked up my luggage and made my way to the door. Liam trailed behind me, his cries becoming increasingly urgent.
Cha
“Wait, Nora. “Please don’t leave,” he pleaded, his voice full of passion.
For the last time, I looked at him “Goodbye, Liam.”
The door closed behind me with a finality that reverberated in my chest as I walked out into the chilly night air.
I spent some time driving aimlessly as Liam’s remarks and the ripped photo kept coming back to me. I had no idea where I was heading or what would happen next, but I was confident that I was tired of living under his false pretenses.
My phone buzzed on the passenger seat as I parked into a dark parking lot to collect my thoughts. My heart was racing when I took it up and read the fresh message from the unidentified number.
“Now is the moment. Come see me now. You must be fully informed.
The address–a place I didn’t recognize–followed the message
I gripped the phone tighter as I gazed at the screen, my thoughts racing
I was not prepared for whatever followed next. But was powerless
