Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 39

{VICTORIA}

I WAS just outside the door of our room, but I could already hear the cheerful banter of Liam and Demi. I was about to grasp the doorknob, but Liam's laughter made my hand pause in mid-air. After a moment, I boldly took hold of the doorknob and turned it. I needed to talk to him right now. After a day of contemplating things thoroughly, I decided to finally discuss my true plans for us. I didn't want to prolong this because he's expecting, and Jackson is waiting for me. I needed to go back to Jackson as fast as I could before it was too late for me.

I found the two of them happily throwing pillows at each other while standing on the bed. I paused in my steps. The view before me was beautiful. This is it; my family is complete and happy. This is what I dreamed about. This is what it looked like when I saw the future with Liam as he courted me. This is what we promise in front of the altar. Is it possible for me to ruin this?

You're not ruining this family, Victoria. I'm not denying Demi to Liam after this. They can see each other whenever they want, and if Demi wants to stay with her dad for days or weeks, it's not a problem for me. Liam will still be a significant part of my life. He will always be my first and greatest love, and I wouldn't change that if I had the chance to go back in time. Because that was what made me want Demi and Jackson in my life.

We need to move on now. I have my own life in Italy, and the two of us are just fragments of each other's past. That's our reality. Honestly, it's hard to let go of the past, even though it left a scar on my heart. The happy memories, our future plans, and our vows are the hardest parts to let go of. There are so many "what ifs."

I paused in my thoughts as Liam threw a pillow at me. "You're deep in thought," he remarked.

I picked up the pillow and then approached the two of them. I held both of Demi's hands and smiled at her.

"I'll just have a talk with your dad. Sabel is waiting for you downstairs. She said you'll be shopping for new toys," I told Demi.

Her eyes immediately lit up, and she joyfully bounced on the bed. I lifted her off the bed, intending to escort her downstairs, but she quickly ran ahead of me. I closed the bedroom door behind me again.

Facing the lion, I noticed a furrowed brow on his face. I walked toward him and sat on the edge of the bed, facing him. I looked at his entire face. I used to love this man. Despite not being a perfect couple and despite hearing those things four years ago, I believe his love for me was genuine all those years. Whatever his reason may be, I think it's reasonable. I would understand if he couldn't tell me right now. Perhaps there will be a time when he's willing to confess everything to me. And I'll be willing to wait for that because I deserve an acceptable reason.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked in wonder.

"We need to talk about us," I said seriously. I wanted to smile to lighten the atmosphere, but it would be too insensitive, considering that everything I would tell him now would shatter his heart.

"Hmmm?"

I took a deep breath. "Let's split now for real." Finally, I found the courage to say it.

The smile vanished from Liam's face, replaced by anxiety and fear. He immediately approached me, holding both of my hands. He planted soft kisses on my hand, and his pleading eyes met mine. It hurts me to see him that way.

"Is there anything wrong that I did? If you still haven't forgiven me for what happened in the past, please don't split with me. Let's try again and work on our marriage. I'll make it up to you and Demi. Don't give up on our marriage," he pleaded continuously. I felt warm liquid flowing through my hands. Liam started welling up with tears.

I couldn't hold back my tears as I cupped both of his cheeks. How I wish I could do the opposite and fulfill the thing he wanted, but I can't.

"I'm sorry. You know that I tried to work things out. I've given our marriage a chance for a year, but now, I've come to realize that everything I've been feeling for the past months was only because I missed everything in our past, not my present feelings. There's nothing wrong with you. I might have been mad at you in the past, but as we spent time together in this house of ours, I've learned to forgive you. I wish I could be the one you spend the rest of your life with, as we used to promise each other, but I have a new life now. We should move on with our present lives," I explained to him.

He tightly closed his eyes. I watched as tears streamed down his cheeks like a waterfall. A profound silence settled between us. After a while, he opened his eyes again. He quickly embraced me, and I didn't withhold it from him. I returned his hug. It felt a bit heavy on the chest, but this had to be done.

"I want to ask you for one last thing," he said to me.

"Can you please stay with me for another 2 years? I'm not ready to give up on our marriage and our complete family. Can we act like a normal and complete family during those two years, just like we did this year? And if, after those two years, your mind still hasn't changed at all, I will finally set you free forever," he continued.

I was stunned by what he said. I couldn't react, and my mind wasn't functioning properly. I'm not expecting this.

He eventually released our hug and planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Think about it. I'm leaving you for now. I need to get some fresh air," he said with a genuine smile.

He got off the bed, and I could only hear the faint opening and closing of the door. I was like a statue for a couple of minutes, remembering what he just said to me.

{LIAM}

AS soon as I left the room, I felt the weakness in my knees. My lips quivered, and my sobs began to make noise. I hurriedly descended the stairs, even though my knees almost had no strength left. I didn't want Victoria to hear me cry. I didn't want to appear fragile. I went straight to my car and started it, but I immediately stopped in front of the gate because it was still closed.

I had no choice but to get out of the car again and open the gate. Fortunately, there was no one around. No one would see my teary eyes. I returned to my car and sped it out of the gate, forgetting to close it once again.

Tears clouded my vision as I drove quickly towards Anderson's house. I didn't know if he was there, but I needed my older brother right now. He was the only one who understood and knew the real situation and the feelings I was going through. I wanted to drown myself in alcohol until I lost consciousness and couldn't feel the pain that seemed to be killing me right now.

My right hand tightly gripped the steering wheel, while my left clung tightly to my chest. My chest tightened, and I could hardly breathe as Victoria's words replayed in my mind repeatedly. I can't bear this pain anymore. This pain was more than the pain I suffered four years ago when I sacrificed her for her own happiness.

I thought I could handle her absence from my life. I thought I could handle the pain. Maybe I managed before because I knew we weren't legally separated. We were still married, and I could have her anytime I wanted because she was my wife. Perhaps I was content because I was still her husband.

But right now, it's a whole different situation. She's asking for a divorce. I can't bear to lose them. I hate myself for trying to understand what she just told me. I love her so much that I'm willing to set her free completely. I don't want her to be confined to our marriage if it doesn't make her happy anymore or if it's not what she wants. In that moment when she explained everything to me, I truly understood her, but another part of me wants to be selfish. That's why I asked her for that favor, just for another two years. I want to be selfish for them, and after that, I'll let them go.