The longer I stand here, the angrier I get. What the hell am I doing? What’s the point of any of this? Why is the key to his apartment still elenched in my fist instead of hurled at his head?
Because if this is love, he’s got a real funny way of showing it.
I’m still at his side, trembling, when Jessica throws herself into his
arms.
–
I nearly choke on it rage, disbelief, whatever’s clawing up my throat.
She clings to him like she belongs there. Her eyes soften, lips parting like she’s about to whisper something meant only for him. And maybe she is. Maybe she always has.
I want to drag her out of this house myself. But I don’t move. Because what right do I have?
She’s the mother of his child.
And I’m just the girl who needed a fake boyfriend to survive a wedding.
“You see it too, don’t you?” Tuli murmurs from behind me, her voice like a knife sliding between my ribs. “You’re standing next to him, but it’s like you’re not even here.”
Oh, shut the hell up.
The smugness on her face dies the second Liam peels Jessica off him, jaw tight with disgust. “What the hell are you doing here?” he snaps. “I told you I never wanted to see you again.”
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Jessica’s smile evaporates, the shine in her eyes replaced with hurt. “Well. I guess that answers whether or not you missed me.”
Liam doesn’t blink. “Get the hell out of my house.”
Seth is on his feet before I can register it, stalking to Jessica’s side. “Don’t talk to her like that.”
She ignores him completely. Doesn’t even flinch. Her entire world is still fixed on Liam. “This isn’t fair,” she chokes out. “You know it isn’t. I gave you space. I stopped texting. I stopped showing up. I changed. Why would you want me gone now? Why are you doing this to me?”
If someone had told me this unravelled, desperate woman was the same Jessica Monroe who made men cry in interviews and turned three- minute cameos into box office gold, I wouldn’t have believed it. But watching her now, cracked open and pleading – whatever jealousy I felt burns out on the spot.
There’s no threat here. Just ruin.
—
–
Tuli’s face is pure confusion. She’s been waiting for some starry–eyed romantic reunion – and the panic hits her just in time when Liam mutters, “You won’t leave? Fine. I’ll throw you out myself.”
He grabs Jessica by the arm, and Seth lunges before anyone can react. He shoves Liam hard. Liam doesn’t budge. He grabs Seth by the collar with a look that could break bones.
“Just because I let you live doesn’t mean I won’t reconsider,” Liam growls. “Get in my way again, and I swear to God-”
“I’d love to see you try,” Seth spits back. “Let her go.”
Tuli rushes between them like she’s wandered into the wrong play. “Boys, stop! Liam- Liam, is this really how you treat the mother of
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your child?”
The room freezes.
I flinch.
So does Seth.
Liam doesn’t.
He’s still. Sharp. Like he saw this coming.
Then, finally, Jessica’s expression cracks. Her voice breaks open around the edges. “This is because I told Mar you were Rowland’s father, isn’t it? You’re punishing me for that. But-” her eyes are desperate now, wide and glistening- “if I told the truth, would you forgive me? If I say it out loud? I’ll tell everyone. I swear I will. Just… don’t throw me away.”
It’s not the words that floor me. It’s the way she says them – like her entire world hangs in the balance.
And for the first time since this whole circus started, I find my voice. “What truth?”
Jessica turns. Sees me properly. Startles like I’d just walked into the room, like I haven’t been standing here this whole time watching her try to claw her way back into Liam’s life.
But the resentment I’ve been choking on doesn’t seem mutual.
She actually smiles at me.
“You must be Emilia,” she says softly, then glances at Liam. And something shifts in her face. Regret, maybe. Or clarity. “So that’s why you’re angry. You helped me, and I let it come back to hurt you. I’m
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sorry, Li.”
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Seth’s face darkens. “What the hell are you apologising for? Has he screwed with your head that bad? He humiliates you in front of everyone and you’re still-?”
“I need to say something,” Jessica cuts in, louder now. Her voice trembles, but she stands tall. “All of you think I came here to make a scene. That I’m still obsessed. That I can’t move on.”
Liam’s voice is sharp. “Jessica. Don’t.”
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