Torn Between Two

Chapter3: Truth and Lies

Mia’s breath hitched, her pulse a wild rhythm in her chest.

Adrian made Liam leave?

It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be. Adrian had saved her. He had picked up the pieces Liam left behind. Given her a life of luxury, protection, and—love?

Or had it all been an illusion?

Her fingers curled into fists beneath the table. “You’re lying.”

Liam’s jaw tightened. “I wish I was.” His voice was raw, laced with something that made her stomach twist—regret.

She shook her head. “You left for a scholarship, Liam. You left for your dreams.”

His eyes darkened. “I never applied for that scholarship, Mia.”

The world tilted. “What?”

Liam exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I was offered the opportunity out of nowhere. A full ride to one of the most prestigious universities overseas. It sounded too good to be true—because it was.”

Mia’s heartbeat pounded in her ears.

“It was Adrian,” Liam continued. “He paid for everything. But there was a condition.” He swallowed hard. “I had to leave you behind. No contact. No goodbyes. If I tried to reach you, the offer was off the table.”

Mia felt like she had been punched in the gut. She stared at Liam, waiting for him to say it was a cruel joke. But the pain in his eyes was real.

And suddenly, she couldn’t breathe.

Adrian.

The man she trusted. The man she loved. He had orchestrated everything?

“Why would he do that?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Liam hesitated, his gaze searching hers. “Because he wanted you for himself.”

A shiver ran down Mia’s spine.

No. No, it didn’t make sense. Adrian had never—he wouldn’t—

But deep down, a sickening realization crept in. The way Adrian had always been possessive. The way he never let her talk about her past. The way he had swept into her life at just the right time, as if he had been waiting.

Her hands trembled.

Liam reached for her, but she flinched.

“Don’t.” Her voice cracked. “Do you have proof?”

Liam’s lips parted, then pressed into a thin line. That hesitation was all she needed.

Mia let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. “So you expect me to believe that Adrian—a billionaire—saw me, a nobody from a small town, and just decided he wanted me? That he went through all this trouble to separate us?”

Liam’s eyes burned with frustration. “You don’t know the kind of man he is.”

Mia stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “And I don’t know the kind of man you are anymore.”

Liam flinched.

“Whatever happened in the past, Liam, you still left. You still made a choice.” Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. “I need more than just words.”

She turned to leave, but Liam grabbed her wrist—gently, cautiously.

“If you don’t believe me, fine,” he said, his voice desperate. “But watch him, Mia. Pay attention. You’ll see it.”

She yanked her hand free and walked away, feeling his gaze on her the entire time.

But the worst part?

She wasn’t sure if she wanted Liam to be lying.

Or if she was terrified that he might be telling the truth.