Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 32

{VICTORIA}

EVERYTHING that happened to me in the past weeks felt like a rollercoaster ride. Many days have passed, and I've come to realize that I'm still in this mansion with my daughter and my husband, Liam. Honestly, I don't know what I'm doing.

Lately, I always find myself deep in thought. However, I don't know what I'm thinking or why I'm feeling this way. At first, I feel a struggle because of Liam's presence. Since that night when he approached me to talk about us, all the pain from the past came rushing back to me. All the pain and resentment I've been holding inside for so long had returned, and every time I see him, I keep blaming him in the back of my mind.

I didn't know why I stayed in this place. Maybe simply because I want my daughter to have a complete family. Or perhaps, I'm already giving Liam a chance to redeem himself to me. I can't deny that along with the return of the pain he caused me is the love I've long buried for him.

From what I can see, he has no plans of giving up on me. Every day when I wake up, there's already breakfast ready in the dining room, purely made by him and not by our maids. Before he heads to work early in the morning, he takes the time to cook our favorite breakfast for Demi and me.

And at dinner, he's the one who volunteers to cook for Demi and me. He would always greet us with a good morning note and bid us good night personally before we close the door to our room. Little by little, I'm starting to appreciate everything he does.

Everything would have been easy for the three of us if it weren't for the unexplainable feelings I had.

I SLOWLY open the door of Liam's room. Terrence told me that Liam hasn't come out of his room since he got home last night because he doesn't want to face Demi with a large bruise on the side of his lip.

Liam was the best prosecutor in New Orleans. I know how challenging his job is because he puts his life on the line. Terrence told me that he was punched in the face by the accused criminal outside the court upon entering inside. Initially, Terrence planned to keep it from me as per Liam's request, but I insisted on him confessing.

I found Liam leaning against the headrest of his bed, sitting with his eyes closed. I slowly closed the door behind me, trying my best not to make a sound. I hoped he was really asleep.

As I approached him, I sat on the edge of the bed facing him, taking in his serene face. I remembered the times when I would wake up in the morning and the first thing I'd see was his incredibly handsome face. Those were some good old days.

My eyes then focused on the bruises on the side of his lips. They were fresh, and it seemed like he hadn't applied any medication on it. I was about to touch it when Liam immediately grasped my wrist. I became instantly nervous. Turns out, he was awake. I thought he was asleep.

"Please don't touch it, I'll get hurt," she said to me as his eyes opened.

I immediately averted my gaze from him. I withdrew my hand. I was about to stand up when he grabbed me by the waist with one of his strong arms. I sat back down on the bed. I could feel his breath behind my neck, causing a tingling sensation.

"Are you leaving already? Didn't you come here to treat my wound?" he asked me with a gentle tone, and even his voice made the hair on my arms stand up.

"I'll just get the medicine kit downstairs," I told him immediately, just before I could close my eyes due to the overwhelming feeling I am experiencing from being this close to him.

He let go of me, and I quickly stood up, walking out the door without even looking at him. I felt embarrassed because of what I did. I didn't know how to face him or if I wanted to see his reaction. I don't want to see him smirking at me.

I retrieved the medical kit from the first floor and returned to Liam's room. I hesitated to enter again, holding onto the doorknob. It felt like I didn't want to go back in. I could feel the heat on my cheeks due to the embarrassment of being caught entering his room.

It took me a while before I finally opened the door to his room and closed it again. I tried my best not to make eye contact or look at his face. I returned to my seat beside him, facing him, and began searching through the medical kit.

I took a cotton ball and applied a few drops of betadine. Then, I placed it on his face still without looking at him.

"Look at me. You can't treat my wound without looking at me," he chuckled.

I glared and rolled my eyes at him. When I finally looked at his face, I was surprised to realize I had placed the cotton ball on his cheekbone. He laughed even more.

"Keep laughing, and I might use alcohol on your wound instead of betadine," I threatened, giving him a stern look.

He suddenly zipped his mouth, but I could see how hard he was trying to hold back his laughter. He's cute, anyway. Wait! Did I just say that?!

I TURNED to Liam when I heard him clear his throat. I was on the sofa, combing Demi's hair. Even Demi looked up at her father. Liam had just returned from work, and it was a surprise that he came home early.

I immediately noticed the bouquet of violet roses in his hand. I smiled. I knew those flowers were meant for me. They were rare and special.

"For you," he handed me the bouquet, and my smile widened as I reached for it. However, as I held the bouquet, a sudden sadness washed over me as I gazed at the flowers. I couldn't pinpoint why I was feeling this way.

"Wow, those roses are beautiful," Demi exclaimed while looking at the bouquet I was holding.

"Beautiful like your Mom and you, also," Liam added.

Suddenly, there was a pang in my heart. My mind went blank. What am I feeling? Where is this coming from? I feel like I'm going crazy from overthinking.

"Do you not like it?" Liam nudged me, already seated beside me. That's when I snapped back to reality. I had been staring at the bouquet for a while with a long face.

I looked at him and smiled, but even my smile caused a twinge in my heart.

"I love it. I just remembered something," I said.

I was immediately taken aback by what I had just said. I didn't remember anything. I didn't know why I said that.

"Mom, can I hold it?" Demi asked, referring to the bouquet.

I smiled at her. "Yeah, sure," I said, handing her the bouquet.

I just watched her. She sat on the floor, smelling the violet roses even though id doesn't have a smell. A wide smile adorned her lips as she did so.

After a while, I glanced at Liam. He had fallen silent. He was looking at our daughter with a big smile on his face. As I observed him, I couldn't help but wonder why my feelings were so tangled. I'm happy, but I'm not.

"I MUST go to my room. I'll leave you two here for awhile," I told to Liam and Demi as they played with a light pink ball here in the garden.

I've been watching them play for a while. I'm too tired to join them. I haven't done much all day, but I feel completely drained of energy.

Liam simply nodded, and I turned away from them. Once I was already inside the mansion, I found myself clutching my chest. I didn't know why, but out of nowhere, my heart and chest suddenly hurt. This usually happens when I'm happy with Liam. I'm confused about my feelings.

I hurriedly ascended the stairs to the second floor, entering my room and locking myself in. When I was already inside, my tears started to flow. I had been holding them back for a couple of minutes. Why do I suddenly feel this way? It's frustrating!

I sat on my bed, looking at the vase on top of the drawer with fresh lavender flowers. But it only made me cry even more. That's not what I expected to see. I was looking for something, but I can't remember what it is. It feels like something is missing, but I don't know what.

Why does it feel like I am forgetting something important?