Pains of love

CHAPTER 7

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The Name I Was Afraid

James's phone screen was still softly lighting his nightstand when I cautiously sat up in bed. I gazed at the message once more, my fingers shaking.

* "He should know the real reason she is unable to provide you with a family."

Victoria was aware. She knew how, but I didn't.

I put the phone back precisely where it had been and locked it. In the bathroom, the shower's water was still running. Something soft, something familiar, something typical was humming quietly in James's voice.

But now nothing seemed regular.

In an attempt to keep myself together, I drew the covers up to my chest. My infertility was known to Victoria. She intended to make use of it. And James would soon find out if he didn't already.

I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep when he came out of the bathroom a few moments later, his hair moist and a towel draped over his shoulder.

I was unable to face him. Not this evening.

Not when his former lover had met with a child who shared his eyes and now posed a threat to the small remnant of affection I still held onto.

***

My bed was empty when I woke up the following morning. From the kitchen came the aroma of coffee. James had left his phone on the nightstand to charge. I gazed at it as though it were a bomb.

I wanted to ask him. I wanted to insist that he read the message. However, I feared his response.

My bare feet were silent on the tiles as I entered the kitchen. James was flipping pancakes at the counter.

"You're up early," I remarked in a monotone voice.

He smiled as he turned. Last night, you were out like a light. I decided to prepare breakfast.

I sat down, forcing a grin. "You were not required to."

"I understand." He set a dish in front of me. "However, I desired to."

I picked up the food. He was drinking his coffee across from me. It was some minutes before we spoke. The air was heavy.

I broke the stillness at last.

"Last night, Victoria texted you."

He stopped in the middle of his drink. "Yes."

"You witnessed it?"

He gave a nod. She made an odd statement. Concerning... you.

I took a deep breath. "Did she say anything to you?"

He scowled. "No. Only that strange message. I didn't respond at all.

I let out a little sigh of relief. But it was short-lived.

He continued carefully as he observed me, "She thought you were hiding something."

I turned my head away.

James took my hand as he reached across the table. "Liana, what is it? What is she discussing?

I withdrew my hand.

It was this. The time I'd been afraid of for years.

I muttered, "I can't have kids." I knew before we ever met. And I didn't tell you.

Quiet.

It was the longest silence I had ever experienced.

James' face was unreadable as he reclined in his chair. "What kept you from telling me?"

My voice broke as I said, "Because I loved you." "Because I thought you might go."

His jaw clenched as he turned aside.

I whispered, "And now you have a son." "With someone else."

He yelled, "That wasn't my choice either." Then he grew softer. "I still adore you, though."

I blinked quickly. "Even if I am unable to provide you with a family?"

He declared, "You are my family."

However, there was a c***k in his voice.

That c***k was someone I knew. I had anticipated it.

***

Two days went by.

Even if Victoria didn't bring Jayden back, her presence pervaded everything.

James did not speak. Uncertain, but not far away. I sensed it in the way his arms paused before encircling me and the way his eyes lingered when he believed I was not looking.

He was pondering.

Both of us were waiting for something to go wrong.

I sat on the balcony that evening and gazed at the city lights. James covered my shoulders with a blanket and joined me.

He said, "I have a question."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Would you ever think about adopting a child?"

I looked over at him. "Why?"

He let out a sigh. "Because I hope we can have a future together." If you're unable to produce children, then I don't give a damn. I still want to work with you to create something.

I let a tear fall down my cheek. "Even when Jayden is present?"

He paused. "It's difficult. But I'd want to give it a shot.

Slowly, I nodded.

Once more, hope flickered. Almost.

Then, however, the doorbell rang.

James scowled. "Midnight is almost here."

He went downstairs. I did the same.

Victoria was standing there when he opened the door. Untidy hair. Red eyes. In her arms, Jayden fell asleep.

"I need assistance," she declared.

James softly asked Jayden. "What took place?"

Victoria entered with a pallid face. Tonight, I received a call. A former acquaintance of James's. Someone who wants to destroy everything.

"What are you discussing?" I inquired.

Victoria's eyes were keen as she turned to face me. "Are you familiar with Alex Hart's name?"

My body expelled every drop of blood.

Alex Hart.

The name I was afraid of. The man who, years ago, nearly destroyed me.

James tensed. "I recognize that name."

“How?” I murmured.

He was a competitor in my business. Five years ago, we were involved in a legal struggle. He almost stole my companionship.

Victoria gave a nod. " Well, he's returned. He also knows Lily.

James slowly turned to face me. "Is that accurate?"

I was having trouble breathing. Indeed. Long ago.

"What took place?" he inquired.

I gave a headshake. "I don't want to discuss it."

"You must," he stated. "If he is returning, if he is utilizing this against us—"

Victoria cut him off, saying, "He has already begun." Today, he delivered something to my home.

She gave a hefty envelope to James. He took out pictures of it.

pictures of me.

From many years ago.

with Alex.

in a corridor of a hospital. Weeping.

Signing something is another.

Leaving a clinic with a pallid face was the final one.

My legs became weak.

On that day, I discovered that I was infertile. I had been taken there by Alex. I had pleaded with him not to snap pictures. He had made a vow not to.

He was dishonest.

James turned to face me, hurt and perplexed. "What made him own these?"

Victoria folded her arms. "Because he is pursuing her." And until he destroys everything she holds dear, he will not stop.

I sensed the walls getting closer.

"He claimed he'd ruin me if I ever moved on," I said.

"He's coming after you," Victoria continued. And now, following James as well.

James held Jayden tight while glancing at us both.

"We have to find him before he achieves what he wants," he added.

And I saw something at the bottom of the envelope as I reached for the pictures once more.

A message.

I grabbed it. The penmanship was familiar and cold.

* Lily, you stole what was rightfully mine. I'll take what's yours now. Bid farewell to your ideal life. *

James's palm held the paper so firmly that I was afraid it would tear. His jaw clenched like stone as his eyes swept over the words once more.

I was still. Panic gripped my throat, and my legs became numb.

Victoria glanced uneasily between us. " Lily, he's serious. He's not bluffing, in my opinion.

Finally, James spoke in a hushed voice. "What was it that you had with him?"

All around us, the air cracked. I was having trouble breathing.

My voice was shaking as I started, "I—I was twenty when I met him." He was older. Charming. He made all the correct statements. In private, however, he was someone else in charge. Furious. He blamed me when I told him I couldn't have children. Claimed that I was broken. I felt like nothing because of him.

For a brief moment, James's eyes softened, but the misery persisted.

I went on, "I left him." He forced me to sign documents first, though. Records. They were medical, he said. I didn't read them all. All I wanted to do was leave.

Victoria's eyebrows went up. "Do you believe he is now using those documents?"

Slowly, I nodded. " I'm aware of his danger, even though I'm not sure what he has. He also doesn't forget.

With Jayden still asleep in his arms, James sat down hard on the couch. "You moved on, so he wants to ruin your life."

I said, "It's not just about me anymore." It concerns you. About us.

Victoria let out a sigh. And me, it seems. Since he delivered those images to my home.

I looked over at her. What made him do that? Why include you?

She twisted her lips. Perhaps because I returned. Perhaps because I'm a simple target.

James gave a headshake. This isn't rational. Why now? After a long period of time?

"Because of your achievement," Victoria murmured softly. You're content. Moreover, Lily is now at last free of him.

The years were pushing down on my chest, weighing me down. This was the result of every decision, every secret, and every dread.

James gently stood up and gave me a direct gaze.

"Lily... I must know. Do you have anything further to tell me?

I wanted to refuse.

I wanted to let him know that we could finally proceed now that everything was out.

But I knew the truth in my heart.

Alex wasn't finished. And the harm he caused wasn't either.

I was about to respond—

However, the lights went out.

Each one.

The room felt completely dark.

In James's arms, Jayden stirred. Victoria let out a gasp.

She asked, "What just happened?"

There was a knock on the door a second later.

Once.

Twice.

Then there was a quiet voice.

" Lily, you can conceal yourself behind love all you want. But I'll be there.

The temperature dropped.

After giving Victoria Jayden, James made his way to the door.

"Avoid opening it!" Panic creeping up, I whispered.

However, it was too late.

The door opened with a squeak.

And standing in the shadows there...

It was Alex Hart.

Grinning.

Alex has returned, armed with evidence of Liana's past and intent on exacting retribution. However, what precisely does he mean when he says, "Take what's hers?" When the whole truth gets out, will James still support her?