Chapter 190
She eyes the sad bouquet sitting on the table, its colours clashing violently with the velvet runner. I barely manage not to snort.
Before Mar can respond, Elijah cuts in. “Well, he has more than enough flowers. Didn’t suffer any real loss.”
Even Mar blinks, thrown by the sudden jab.
Emilia’s fingers curl tighter around mine. My jaw ticks.
I can handle Elijah’s thinly veiled bitterness when it’s aimed at me.
But the moment he turns it on Emilia?
That’s a different story.
I don’t look at Elijah when I speak.
“If you’ve got something to say, say it to me.” My tone is level. Flat. But the warning is there, sitting just beneath the surface.
Emilia tenses beside me, but I squeeze her hand once.
“I did,” Elijah says coolly, arms still crossed like we’re wasting his time. “And I said it exactly how I meant it.”
“Right,” I reply, giving him a single nod. “Always such a joy catching up.”
I let the smile drop, my voice even. “I’m sure Jessica told you we’ve cut ties. So whatever moral high ground you’re clinging to, feel free to step off it. I came here to be polite. Say congrats, then leave. You can go
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back to badmouthing me the second we’re gone – but while we’re still standing here, you’ll watch how you speak to my girlfriend.”
At the mention of Jessica, something flickers in Elijah’s eyes. Just a flicker. Like he suddenly remembers why he was angry – and realises he’s not sure what to do with it anymore.
There it is. That shift. The quiet clarity that comes when the grudge you’ve been gripping onto starts to feel pointless.
—
For a long time, I told myself all I wanted was for Jessica to own her mess. Thought maybe, if she did, I’d get Mar back the friend who felt more like a brother. But standing here now, I know the truth’s simpler.
I didn’t want Mar back. I just wanted to stop carrying the weight of losing him.
And with Emilia’s hand still in mine, steady and warm, I’m not sure I have any space left in me for old ghosts.
Elijah exhales, jaw tight. His eyes shift to Emilia. “You’re right,” he says. “I was rude.”
“Glad we agree. Now apologise.”
Another beat. Then: “Emilia – I apologise.”
Before she can even respond, Mar steps in with a smile that’s a little too bright to be casual. “Alright. Let’s not turn the dressing room into a cage match.”
He moves closer, laying a calming hand on Elijah’s arm — like he’s done it a hundred times before.
“Liam,” he says, and now his voice is gentler. “Thank you for coming
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to say hi. It was lovely seeing you both again.”
Emilia’s shoulders loosen just a bit. “You were amazing, Mar. Honestly.”
His smile softens, warmer now. “Thank you. That… means a lot.”
There’s silence. Elijah is still staring me down like I’ve personally ruined his night, but at least he’s quiet now.
“I should get changed,” Mar says, nodding toward the small closet in the back. “Maybe we could catch up later? After I finish up here, we could-”
“There’s really no need for that,” I cut in smoothly. Then glance at Emilia. “Ready to go?”
She doesn’t hesitate. “Definitely.”
We say a polite goodbye. As soon as the door closes behind us, Emilia squeezes my hand and leans in to murmur, “I thought you might’ve wanted to stay. Catch up with Mar.”
“And force you to spend another minute in a room with his husband?” I scoff. “I’d rather suffer through that godawful show you love.”
She laughs as we get to the car. I open her door, slide into the driver’s seat, and throw her a glance. “He’s lucky I’m trying to convince you I’m husband material. Otherwise, I’d have told him exactly where to shove it.”
—
Her smile falters just for a second surprise flickering across her face before amusement settles in. “You’re fighting my battles now?”
“No,” I say. “I’m fighting anyone who thinks they can get away with disrespecting you. That’s different.”
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She shakes her head, still smiling. “And Mar?”
—
I start the car, my brain already circling tomorrow’s schedule, the hundred things pulling me in different directions none of them as important as the girl sitting next to me. I reach over, pinch her cheek gently.
She slaps my hand away, laughing.
“Not worth missing a single second of that pretty face,” I mutter.
EMILIA
Liam watches me walk into Tessa’s building like he’s sending his kid off to boarding school. Like he’s still half–ready to circle back and kidnap me.
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