Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 36

{LIAM}

"SUP, bro!" I greeted Jake.

He paused from wiping the windshield of his car in their garage. He was my brother-in-law, married to my youngest sister just last year.

He immediately smiled upon seeing me and welcomed me with a tight hug. He gave my back a strong tap, making me move away from his embrace and create some distance.

"I'll sue you for your act of violence towards me!" I joked with him with a serious face, and he just laughed at me in response.

He gave my arm a strong tap, and in return, I shot him a death glare.

"Anyway, why are you here?" he asked after tossing the wet cloth he was holding into a bucket of soapy water.

"Is my sister home?" I asked.

He placed his arm around my shoulder and guided me into their mansion. Their house extended to the 3rd floor, larger than my own mansion. It seemed like Laurie had plans for a big family.

"Yup, she's in her room. I have no idea what she's up to right now," he replied.

We stopped in the living room. He turned to face me, placing both his hands on my shoulders.

"She's mad at you. I'm getting dragged into this too. Whenever she remembers you and sees me, she becomes angry with me, as if I'm the one she's upset with. Tsk, woman. Are you ready to face her?" Jake asked me seriously.

I leaned my forehead against his. "Let's remember that we are men. We are superior to women," I tried to convince ourselves.

"You're right. You can handle it. You're the only one facing her now," he reassured me and stepped away.

I was about to say something, but he quickly left, exiting his mansion again. I was left alone in the living room. There were no servants around. The whole house was quiet. And I can almost hear the rapid beat of my heart, as if it would escape my ribs.

I glanced up to the second floor where Laurie's room was. She was the youngest of us three siblings, but when she got angry, especially if Anderson and I were involved, we folded in front of her because she acts like the oldest sister to us.

I ascended the stairs slowly and lazily, reaching the second floor. When I stood in front of her door, I hesitated whether to open it or not. But I needed to discuss something with her. I also didn't want to be the reason she ignored Victoria, as she seemed to be doing now.

Since I brought my daughter and my wife home to the mansion, she hasn't visited even once. I'm aware of how close she is to Victoria. I know Laurie well, and I sense her anger towards me because of what happened since the ball. And ever since she found out that Victoria left the mansion 4 years ago, she has been upset with me. She doesn't know the real reason behind the events in the past. Only Anderson and I know the truth. Laurie is our baby sister, even though she's grown, and we don't want her to bear the consequences of my actions.

I made the sign of the cross before turning the doorknob to her room. I found her sitting on her bed, leaning against the headrest, eyes fixed on her laptop placed on her thighs.

I walked towards her and sat on the edge of her bed. She still didn't react, as she wasn't looking at me, probably thinking Jake was the one who had entered their room.

"What if someone with ill intentions entered your room, and you didn't even notice?" I said to her.

She immediately looked startled. When Laurie turned to me, she went pale as if she had seen a ghost. After recovering from the shock, she shot me a death glare.

"Someone with ill intentions did enter my room!" she yelled.

I clutched my chest, feigning pain from her words.

"Ouch! You're being too harsh on me," I complained.

She pointed at my face, looking like she could breathe fire at any moment.

"What are you doing here? Maybe you'd like to leave my room. I don't want to see you," she said firmly.

Instead of obeying her or feeling down because of her words, I smiled and, without a word, I hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry, lil sis. Please don't be mad at me, even just for now," I earnestly pleaded with her. She stopped struggling against my hug.

I heard her sigh. "Why are you here? I just wanted you to know that even though you're my brother, I won't support you for Victoria," she said, so I tightened my embrace. After a while, I let go of our embrace.

"I know. But I have one thing to ask from you," I said seriously.

She furrowed her brow. "And what is that?" Laurie asked me, looking snarky with raised eyebrows.

"Can you please not mention Jackson to her anymore?" I said, feeling a lump in my throat.

She closed her laptop and placed it on the side of her bed. Then she looked at me again, this time with seriousness.

"I don't know what happened among the three of you, especially with Victoria. Honestly, if I were her, I wouldn't go back to the man who once hurt me and used me just for inheritance when I already had the man who treats me better than you do. Don't worry, I won't have the chance to mention Jackson to her. I'm not seeing her right now. I can't understand whatever reasons she has for leaving Jackson and returning to you. Victoria is now just like you. She just hurt the man who truly loved her. What did you say to her to deceive her into coming back to you? I can't understand you, Liam. Four years later, you said you didn't love her and used her to get your inheritance, and now suddenly you're acting like a loving husband. I really don't know you anymore, Liam," she said in a long tirade.

I remained deeply in silent. The reality of what Laurie said weighed heavily on me. Even my own sister viewed me with such disappointment. Even she wanted Jackson for Victoria. And yes, I was angry right now, not at anyone else but myself. I had no one else to blame but me.

"I'm not hearing any more of your excuses or reasons. It's your life, after all," she said in frustration before standing up and walking straight out of her room. She closed the door loudly behind her.

I was left alone here, unsure of how to react or what to say. I laid down with my arms widely open on her bed, closing my eyes firmly.

If only they knew why I had to do that. If they only knew that I did all of that for our family, especially for Dad. And if only I knew that Victoria would be the consequence of my actions. But no, I can't control everything that happens in my life. I'm trying my best to make up for my mistakes, but it seems like they only multiply.

I constantly ask myself, why do I have to suffer for something I never wanted? All I wanted was to have a peaceful life. Of all people, why did Victoria become my karma? But if none of those things happened, I wouldn't have had a chance to meet her. I wouldn't have Demi in my life either. But sometimes, everything just hurts so much that I wish I didn't meet her.

But right now, no matter the pain or judgment I receive, I won't give up Victoria again. I'll do everything to keep her by my side. I am willing to do evil things just to protect her and our daughter, and I'm more than willing to endure the heavy emotions resulting from my actions. Maybe this is how it is when you love someone. You're willing to take the risk. I might not have done this before, but fate has given me a chance to redeem myself to her.

I soon found myself getting up from the bed upon hearing commotion downstairs. I quickly left the room and went down to the first floor. I found Laurie reprimanding Jake.

The worry in my mind slightly faded as I watched Jake being scolded by my sister. He was my high school schoolmate, but we weren't close. He gained popularity as a varsity swimmer, representing our country in swimming competitions. Only recently did he start courting Laurie, and that's when we became close.

They both looked at me simultaneously, sensing my presence. When Laurie's gaze met mine, the smile faded from my lips, and I felt like a dog suddenly behaving well in front of its stern owner. In the end, Laurie ordered us to pull out all the weeds in their garden. It seems Laurie really sees us more as helpers than anything else.