CHAPTER TWENTY
KILLIAN’S POV
Just as I stepped out of my office, my phone started ringing. I almost ignored it. But then I saw the caller ID.
It was Mother.
“Mom?” I answered quickly.
“Killian… it’s your stepdad… he… he had a heart attack.”
I froze.
“What??!”
“He collapsed this morning. It was so sudden. The ambulance just left… Killian, I’m scared. Please come quick. Please…”
My heart started to pound.
“I’m on my way,” I said without thinking, already heading to the elevator.
But she kept talking, her voice trembling harder now. “Before he passed out… he… he mentioned Liana’s name. He said her
name, Killian. Over and over again. I think… I think he wants to see her before-”
My grip on the phone tightened. My throat burned.
“Mom… I–I’ll come now. I’ll be there.”
She was crying harder now. “He wants to see her. Please, Killian, if you know where she is… bring her before anything worse
happens.”
I closed my eyes. My jaw clenched. I couldn’t even speak.
Because I hadn’t told mother I’d found Liana.
“Please please find her,” she begged, her voice breaking. “He needs her.”
“I’ll bring her,” I whispered. “I promise you, Mom. I’ll find her.”
I ended the call and just stood there for a second, trying to breathe. The guilt I felt before now felt like a damn mountain
crashing on my chest.
I ran to the parking lot, got into my car and slammed the door shut. My hands were shaking as I started the engine.
I picked up my phone again.
Liana’s number
It rang
Once
Twice
No answer
Pick up, Liana please,” I muttered, my voice raw.
I tried again.
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Still nothing.
+25 BONUS
I gripped the steering wheel, my jaw tight. “Damn it!”
I drove off. I didn’t even know where to start. I just knew I had to find her. I had to fix this. I had to get her to her father.
My phone was still in my hand. I tried her number again while turning into the main road.
Still no answer.
“Fuck!” I shouted, slamming my hand against the wheel. “I did this. This is my fault. She won’t even look at me now. How the hell am I supposed to face her after what I did?”
My chest ached as I drove through the city, eyes scanning every corner, every
she would go.
But I had to find her.
Because her father might not survive.
And he wanted to see his daughter.
And I… I just might have ruined her last chance to say goodbye.
every crowd. I didn’t even know where
Liana’s POV
“Liana?”
The voice was familiar, so familiar it was as if it tightened my chest the moment I heard it. I was standing in line at the pharmacy, just about to pay for the morning–after pill. My hands were trembling slightly as I clutched the little box in my palm, making it feel heavier than it was.
I turned slowly.
“Simon?”
He was standing there, just a few feet away, looking better than I remembered. His pictures didn’t do him justice. Tall, fit, sharp jawline, kind eyes and a smile that could easily make a girl blush. He wasn’t as intimidating or striking as Killian, no, but he was charming Very much so.
“Liana“” he said again, and before I could say anything, he walked up and wrapped me in a hug.
I stood still. My arms hung awkwardly by my side while he held me tightly.
“Wow You’re really here,” he whispered, pulling back just enough to look at me. “God, I’ve waited so long to meet you.”
I offered a small smile “Hi. It’s… been a crazy day.”
He looked at the box in my hand and I hid it quickly. “Are you feeling okay? What’re you buying?”
I blinked “Just some painkillers. I have a headache.”
“Same,” he said with a soft chuckle. “Jet lag is killing me. I just landed this morning Didn’t think I’d run into you like this.
What a small world”
I nodded slowly, still trying to process the coincidence
“So where are you staying?” I asked
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20
+25 BONUS
“A hotel just a few blocks away. It’s quiet, not too fancy, but it’ll do. I was actually planning to call you later today. Guess fate
had other plans.”
He grinned and reached for my hand, giving it a little squeeze before letting go.
wow.”
“I’m so
glad to see you, Liana. You look…
“Thanks. You too.”
“There’s a café around the corner,” he said. “Let’s sit and catch up a
I’ve missed talking to you face to face.”
I hesitated, then gave a small nod. “Okay. Sure.”
We left the pharmacy after Simon paid for both his pills and mine, then made our way to the café together. When we got
there, he stepped ahead and opened the door for me without a word, his hand lingering just long enough for our eyes to meet.
Such a gentleman.
He even pulled out my chair as I sat. He ordered black coffee. I got something sweet, with cream and vanilla syrup. I needed
something that tasted sweet.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” Simon said, smiling at me from across the table. “I was seriously nervous about today. What if you
looked different? What if it was awkward? But it’s not awkward at all.”
I smiled faintly. “Yeah.”
“You okay though? You seem distracted.”
I shook my head a little. “It’s just… been a rough morning.”
****
He leaned closer. “I figured something was off when I called and someone else answered. Who was that, by the way?”
I paused. “Just… no one important.”
ひみう
He raised a brow but didn’t push. “You know, you can talk to me, right? I know we’ve been dating online for a while but I’m
here now. For you.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
He reached for my hand again, his thumb brushing softly over my knuckles.
I lensed
Simon was nice. Kind Handsome. Funny. He was the kind of man any woman would be lucky to have, but I wasn’t just any
woman. And Simon… he just wasn’t it. A week ago I would’ve sworn I had feelings for him, or at least that I could.
But now? I felt… nothing.
No butterflies No chemistry. No spark.
My mind was drifting. Back to Killian. Back to the things he did. The things he said. The way he made me feel. Angry
Ashamed Loved Broken Everything All at once.
What kind of messed up person thinks about the man who just hurt her while sitting in front of the man who was supposed
to love her right? How could I even think about him after everything? After what he did?
I shook my head and tried to focus on Simon’s voice again
*. and once I get settled, I’d really love to meet Ryan,” he was saying “I know I’m not his dad or anything, but I’d still like to know him Maybe we could all do something fun together-”
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20
My phone buzzed.
Killian.
I declined the call immediately.
It buzzed again.
I declined it again, my jaw tightening.
Then I switched it to vibrate and placed it face–down on the table.
“Sorry about that,” I said.
+25 BONUS
Simon nodded, still smiling. “It’s okay. So, where were we? Right… Ryan. I just feel like it’s tim you replace anyone, I swear, I just want to be there for you. Both of you.”
know? I’m not trying
to
I forced a laugh at something he said, but it sounded hollow, even to my own ears.
I tried to focus. Really tried. But everything inside me was screaming that this wasn’t right. That Simon, no matter how kind
or perfect, wasn’t the one.
He leaned forward again, gently took my hand in his, and then… slowly started to lean in. His lips aimed for mine.
“Liana.”
That voice.
My stomach dropped.
I turned slowly.
Killian stood right beside us, his body tense, his eyes burning with fury. His jaw was clenched, nostrils flaring, fists tight at
his sides.
“Killian,” I breathed, stepping back.
Simon looked confused. “Who is this guy?”
I yanked my hand out of Simon’s grasp and stood up quickly.
My heart was thudding in my chest so loud I could barely think.
Because I knew Killian!
And I knew that look.
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