Chapter 43
Chapter 42: Too late
“What’s amore mio 1 whispered to him as I hugged him tightly. I smiled as I felt his warmth and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
“My love. You’re my love, Camilliana.”
“Then you’re my amore mio, 100, Liam”
“Amore mio. I miss you…
I snapped out of the memory when I heard Liam’s pleading voice again. I sucked in a sharp breath, reality crashing back into me.
My hands pressed against him, trying to break free from his suffocating embrace.
“Let go. I don’t know what you’re talking about—”
“No… You are her, right?”
If I were her, what would you do, Liam Anderson!
Will you force your wants on me again! Will you make promises you can’t keep!
You’ll abandon me again. And you won’t save me from those who hurt me because that would be ironic…since you’re going to hurt me too.
More than that will
you get
rid
of t
my children?
sif
A rush of painful memories crashed over me, and suddenly, I felt as if invisible hands were choking me. My breath came in shallow, desperate
“Camille-
I tore myself from his grasp
I said 1 am NOT her!”
asp with a violent yank.
A tense silence followed–until another voice shattered it.
“What’s happening here!”
I turned my attention to the voice, my breath catching in my throat. My eyes widened, and all my thoughts vanished as panic surged through me.
Gavin stood diere, his face marred with bruises, blood staining his dress shirt, and a bandage wrapped around his hand.
“Cavin!”
I rushed to him, instinct taking over. Before I could think, my hands cupped his check
“What happened to you?”
He winced, the pain evident. His right eye was swollen shut, an angry shade of red.
“I’m fine, Mia. Is Mr. Anderson
“Shut it! How can you tell’ine yo
you’re fine? It’s obvious you’re not!”
My voice trembled, my chest tightening with unshed tears. The tears threatening to spill finally broke free, slipping down my checks
“Y–you’re hum-
“Ssh, it’s fine. Fin sorry, don’t cry”
His hands found my face,
-rently brushing away the le
streaming down my cheeks.
“Who did this to you?”
Before Gavin could answer, Liam’s voice cut through the tension.
1/3
Chapter 43
“Thank you for inviting me ove
me over. I’ll leave now, Mia?
I turned, following Liam, who walked past us with a sharp glare. He didn’t look back, and I could see how he clenched his fist. Don’t tell me
Gavin, as if reading my mind, spoke up
one who did this to me, Mia”
“He’s not the one w
Lexhaled shakily, but the tears wouldn’t stop. My heart ached to see him like this.
“You should be in a hospital—”
He let out a small, tired chuckle. I was. But coming here like this yealt, that was dumb of me. I’m sorry for scaring you. I should go—=”
I shook my head, “No. Take a seat on the couch. I’ll get the first aid kit. Either the hospital you came from did a lousy job, or you left before they could take care of you properly.”
Seeing his reaction, 1 knew it was the latter. I shot him a glare before turning away.
“Mia… I’m sorry for making you worry-
“Enough. Just wait for me on the couch.”
caught my eye
I went upstairs and grabbed the first aid kit from my bathroom. I was about to leave when my reflection in the mirror
Slowly, I exhaled a harsh breath, my chest tightening as the weight of the last few minutes sank in. I mentally slapped myself, the realization hitting me like a cold wave–if Gavin hadn’t interrupted us. I might have lost control
It’s hard
No matter how much I trained myself to stay calm and to keep my composure whenever Liam Anderson was near, it was getting harder. Every time he called me that name. Every time, he dragged me back to a past I had buried.
Yes
I am ber..
Camillian
His ex–wife. The woman who had died.
But I am Mia Miller now. And I will never return to him.
I clenched my fists. I would play his game but wouldn’t let myself get hurt agro.
I would protect my children from him—
Really! How, Mia!
I shut try
my eyes, inhaling sharply as my own subconscious morked me.
You’re playing with fine, and you know it’s not just you who might get burned….
You have Kylie and Ryker, Camilliana.
1 forced my eyes open, reminding myself this was not the time to think like this. I left the bathroom and made my way downstairs.
I sighed upon seeing Gavin sitting on the couch. His eyes were closed–he was not adeep, but he looked exhausted.
When he sensed my presence, he opened his eyes and even managed to give me a reassuring smile.
“Don’t smile at me. Winslow, I glared at hin
He chuckled, then winced, pressing a hand to his ribs. I bit my lip, my fingers tightening around the first aid kit.
“Take off your slaint”
He hugged himself, acting like a fool. “Oh no, Mu-
“Gavin Winslow I warned.
2/3
12:27 PM
Chapter 13
“Where are the kidat
“They’re busy upstairs. Take off your shirt now,” Drepeated.
With a dramatic sigh, he unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the dark bruising along his ribs. My stomach twisted.
“What the hell who did this to you?
I sat beside him, opening the first aid kit. “You really shouldn’t be here, Glavin. Oh God, what were you thinking?”
He didn’t answer me and remained silent.
I just got caught up in something I shouldn’t have. It’s not a big deal, Mia
“Not a big—” I cut myself off, taking a deep breath. “You’re bleeding. Your eye is swollen shut. How is this not a big deal?”
He gave me another tired smile. Because I can handle it. You don’t have to worry about me.”
I pressed my lips together as 1 cleaned the wound on his lip. He barely flinched, but I saw how his fingers curled into fists.
This is connected to Rachel, isn’t it? Who dul this to you? Her ex? Her father? Her brother—”
|
Gavin n
rested his forehead on my shoulder and let out a shaky breath. “God, Mia, I am so confused. I should really stay away from that woman…
“Gav, com
ח
someone to talk to. He needed me.
That’s when I realized why he came here. He needed someo
I pulled him into a hug and caressed his hair. He didn’t say anything, but I knew he would–eventually.
*Til get you some water—”
“Mia… let’s not give in to our feelings. They’re just going to hurt us again, like before.”
“Gavin, w–what a
are you talking about??
He hugged me tighter. “That plan you mentioned why don’t you stop it before it’s too late! You can just leave, Camille.. we can leave
1 let out a bitter sunile. “It’s too late, Gavin…”
Before he could argue, I stood up and walked toward the kitchen, my pulse thundering in my ears.
I needed a moment.
A moment to breathe. A moment to forget the way Liam’s arms had felt around me. The way his voice had pleaded. The way, for one second, I had almost given i
Almou
But I couldn’t afford to make that mistake again.
1 wasn’t Camilliana anymore.
And Liam Anderson was nothing but a ghost of the past.
No m
