Chapter 27
ROSALIE
I
44
The night air was cool, but the weight of the evening’s events burned hot in my chest. I stayed rooted by the railing, my eyes fixed on the sky, pretending I could lose myself in the stars. Their words still echoed in my head like cruel whispers
Plain, Worthless. Sold.
I gripped the railing tighter, my knuckles aching, the cool metal pressing into my palms. A part of me wanted to march back inside and yell at all of them, to demand how they could sit there and rip me apart. But another part–the tired, weary part -knew it wouldn’t change anything.
The sound of footsteps broke through my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat. Damien. Finally. He must have come to explain why he’d just sat there while his family tore me to pieces.
But when I turned, my breath caught for a different reason. It wasn’t Damien.
It was Liam.
He sauntered toward me with his hands in his pockets, his gait casual, his smirk smug as always. Even in the dim light. I could see the gleam in his eyes, the one that always made me uneasy.
“Well, well,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “It’s been years, Rosalie”
I stiffened, my stomach churning. “Liam.”
He stopped a few feet from me, tilting his head as his gaze raked over me, deliberate and uncomfortably slow. “You’ve
grown up.
I folded my arms across my chest, trying to ignore the unease creeping into my limbs. “What do you want, Liam?”
“Nothing,” he said, shrugging. “I just couldn’t help but notice you out here all alone. Figured I’d come say hi. It’s been, what, four years? Five?” He chuckled softly. “The last time I saw you, you were just some shy, awkward kid. And now well, look at you. All grown up.”
“I can say the same for you” I replied, my tone flat. I really didn’t want to speak to anyone right now
“You are just as beautiful as I remembered. Even more beautiful. I have to admit, it came as a shock to everyone when the news of your marriage to Damien was announced. I mean, your own bully from high school? This could pass for a fairy tale movie.” Liam chuckled.
I clenched my jaw. “My decision to marry Damien is none of your business.” I sternly said, hoping he’d get the memo and
leave me alone.
But he still lingered.
“Damien,” he repeated with a low chuckle, shaking his head. “That’s cute. You still defend him, just like you always did in high school when you’d see him moving about with various girls, including your own sister, after he had professed love to you…” his words hit me, piercing through the cold exterior I strived to maintain.
The injury, the pain of what happened so many years ago, of what Damien did to me it was still fresh.
He had changed from my lover to my bully in the blink of an eye, made my high school miserable and ended up forcing me to get married to him.
1/3
D
Dreame–Read Romance
Open
14:25 Tue, 18 Feb
Chapter 27
Tears brewed up in my eyes but I forced them back. No. I won’t
“Liam, I don’t need your patronize nor fake sympathy.” I spat.
“Fake sympathy? C’mon Rosalie. I’m just really worried that you married someone like Damien. Talk about poetic justice. Who would have ever thought?”
“Why are you here, Liami I asked, keeping my voice firm. “To tell me the obvious? Yes I married the guy who tormented me in high school, and so?”
He stepped closer, ignoring the question. “What did you even see in him, Rosalie?” His tone was light, almost mocking. “The Damien I know isn’t exactly husband material. Or did Daddy’s little business troubles make the decision for you? You’ve always been the shy type, never been able to stand up for yourself.”
I felt my nails dig into my palms. “You don’t know anything about my decision, so don’t pretend you do.”
He grinned, leaning casually against the railing beside me. “Touchy, aren’t we? I’m just curious, that’s all. I mean, you of all people, ending up with him. It’s ironic, don’t you think? Tell me the truth Rosalie? Are you ok with this marriage?
“I don’t have to explain myself to you,” I said sharply, stepping away from him
“You’re right,” he said easily, following me as I moved. “You don’t. But it doesn’t mean I don’t see the truth. He doesn’t care about you, Rosalie. He probably never will. Damien’s not the kind of guy who knows how to care about anyone but himself.
I stopped walking and spun around to face him, my voice shaking with anger. “What Damien and I have is none of your business.”
His smirk widened, as if my anger only amused him. “Oh, Rosalie. You’re so much fun when you get all riled up.”
“Liam, leave me alone. Let me be and go back to your fancy party” I snapped at him.
I turned and began walking away again, heading toward the small path that led to the back of the house. The quiet hum of the dinner faded the farther I went, replaced by the chirping of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves. I hoped Liam would listen to me and leave me alone.
But, of cour
course, he didn’t.
“Rosalie,” he called, his tone playful as he followed me. “Don’t run off. I wasn’t done talking to you.”
I stopped abruptly, spinning around to glare at him. “Liam, what part of leave me alone‘ don’t you understand!”
He shrugged, his smirk still firmly in place. “I get it. You’re upset. You’re feeling vulnerable.”
“I’m not vulnerable,” I snapped.
“Oh, but you are,” he said, stepping closer. “Don’t worry, though. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to help you.”
I stared at him, my stomach twisting, “I don’t need your help.
“Don’t you?” he asked, his voice softening as he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
I jerked back, glaring at him. “Don’t touch me.”
You’re
He chuckled, his hand falling back to his side. “Come on, Rosalie. You don’t have to pretend. I see right through you. not happy. You’re stuck in a marriage with a man who doesn’t even look at you like you exist. But me?” He took another step closer, his eyes darkening. “I could make you happy. I could give you what you really need.”
2/3
日×
Dreame–Read Romance…
Open
14:25 Tue, 18 Feb
Chapter 27
“You’re insane.” I said, my voice trembling
“Am I?” he asked, tilting his head. “Or am I just hone?”
I shook my head, stepping back “Leave me alone, LimTM
His smirk faded, replaced by something colder. “You think Damien’s going to wane you? He’s not your bers, Roube Be never has been, and he never will be
I tried to step back again, but he reached out, grabbing my wrist and pulling me closer
“Let me go.” I demanded, my voice shaking as I struggled against his grip
“Why?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous “You don’t really want me to
“Yes, I do,” I said, my voice rising “Let me go. Liam!”
“You’re just too tempting, Rosalie, he murmured, his free hand brushing against my waist. “You deserve so much more than Damien. I’ve always had my eyes on you right from high school but you have always turned me down. Give me a chance and I’ll prove how much I want you. And it could be our little secret”
I shoved at his chest with all my strength, but he didn’t budge. Panic flared in my chest, and I opened my mouth to scream but he clamped his hand over my mouth
My heart was racing, fear pulsing through me as I thrashed against him.
“Stop fighting” he hissed. “I’m just trying to-”
“Get your hands off my wife!”
Lism froze, his head snapping toward the sound of Damien’s voice.
I turned, my breath catching when I saw Damien standing at the edge of the path, his eyes blazing
3/3
Comment
D
