Beneath the surface

Chapter4

Liam’s expression hardened, and Emily felt a chill run down her spine. The tension in the room thickened, and she could see the storm brewing behind his eyes. “You expect me to believe you over my brother?” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You’ve done nothing but make my life miserable since the day we got married.”

“Liam, please!” Emily’s voice trembled as she stepped closer, desperate to reach him. “I’m not trying to make trouble. I’m trying to protect you! Harrison is dangerous, and he’s plotting against you. You have to listen to me!”

But before she could finish her plea, Liam stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. The sudden movement startled her, and she instinctively took a step back. His face was a mask of anger, and for a moment, she feared he might lash out.

“Why should I believe you?” he spat, his voice rising. “You’ve always been a burden, Emily. You think you can just waltz in here and tell me how to run my life? You’re nothing but a pathetic little girl playing at being a wife!”

In a flash, he raised his hand and struck her across the face. The force of the slap sent her reeling, and she stumbled back, her hand instinctively flying to her cheek. The sting radiated through her skin, but it was the shock of his betrayal that cut deeper.

“Liam!” she gasped, her heart racing. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “How could you do that?”

He stood there, breathing heavily, his expression a mix of rage and something else—something that looked almost like regret. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a cold indifference. “You think you can come in here and disrupt my life with your wild accusations? You’re just trying to ruin my family!”

Emily’s heart sank. She had hoped that he would listen, that he would see the truth in her words. Instead, he had chosen to believe the worst of her, just as he always had. “I’m not trying to ruin anything! I’m trying to save you!” she cried, her voice breaking.

“Enough!” Liam shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. “Get out of my sight. I don’t want to hear another word from you.”

With that, he turned away from her, dismissing her as if she were nothing more than an annoyance. Emily felt a wave of despair wash over her. She had tried to warn him, to protect him, and all he had done was strike her down.

As she stumbled out of the office, tears finally spilling down her cheeks, she felt a mix of anger and heartbreak. How had it come to this? How had the man she had hoped to connect with turned into someone who would hurt her so easily?

She made her way to her room, her heart heavy with the weight of his words and actions. She pressed her palm against her cheek, feeling the heat of the slap still lingering. It was a physical reminder of the emotional turmoil she had been enduring since their marriage began.

In the solitude of her room, Emily sank onto her bed, her mind racing. She had to find a way to protect herself and Liam from Harrison’s treachery. She couldn’t rely on Liam to see the truth; she had to take matters into her own hands.

As she wiped away her tears, a sense of determination began to rise within her. She would not be a victim in this situation. She would gather evidence against Harrison, find a way to expose his plans, and protect Liam—even if it meant doing it all in secret.

With a newfound resolve, Emily began to formulate a plan. She would not let fear or Liam’s anger hold her back. She would fight for her own future and, perhaps, for the man who had become her reluctant husband. The battle was just beginning, and she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.