CHAPTER NINETEEN
675 Words
The Thin Line Between Kindness and Weakness
Elsa barely registered the warmth of the maids’ hands as they assisted her back to her room. Every step felt heavy, every breath labored.
This is hell.
She married a monster.
The weight of the past few hours pressed down on her chest, suffocating her. First, he killed her parents. And now, he wanted her dead too.
Her hands clenched into tight fists as tears slid down her cheeks.
She felt caged.
How would she ever get him to reveal the truth? How would she uncover what really happened to her parents?
Exhaustion overtook her as she changed into dry clothes, her body feeling weak, drained. She collapsed onto the bed, her mind clouded with thoughts she couldn't push away.
Just as sleep started to pull her under, she heard the door creak open.
Soft footsteps approached.
Her eyelids were too heavy to lift, and her body too weak to react.
Then—silence.
Liam stood by the bed, watching her.
Her small frame curled up beneath the covers, her face pale and fragile. Even in her sleep, she looked like she was fighting demons.
His conscience tormented him.
Why did it feel like he was punishing himself instead of her?
He should hate her. He should relish in her suffering.
So why didn’t he?
A bitter scowl formed on his lips as he turned away. This wasn’t part of the plan.
He needed to avenge his parents.
But looking at her now—weak, vulnerable—memories started creeping in, dragging him back into the past.
Years Ago
Liam’s stomach growled as he walked the streets, his tiny hands trembling from hunger. He had been starving for days.
His mother was dead. His father was gone.
No one cared if he lived or died.
Then he saw it—a woman carrying a basket filled with bread.
The scent alone made his knees buckle.
Without thinking, he lunged. He grabbed a piece of bread and ran, ignoring the woman’s angry shouts as she chased after him.
Faster. He needed to run faster.
Then—BAM.
A sharp impact sent him flying.
The world went dark.
Liam’s eyes fluttered open.
He was no longer on the cold streets. Instead, he lay on a luxurious bed, the softest he had ever felt.
The room was massive—a king-sized bed with silk sheets, tall glass windows that let in the golden sunlight, a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and a grand wooden desk lined with books.
The air smelled expensive.
Where am I?
The door opened, and a tall, middle-aged man walked in. His presence was commanding, but his eyes held something unfamiliar—kindness.
“Hello, Liam.”
Liam’s small body tensed. How does he know my name?
“My name is David Walter, but you can call me Uncle David.”
The man smiled as he gently patted Liam’s head.
“I was a friend of your father.”
Liam narrowed his eyes. A friend of my father?
“This is my worker,” David continued, gesturing to the younger man standing beside him. “And now, your personal bodyguard.”
Liam’s gaze shifted to the young, sharp-eyed Carter.
“You can see him as a friend,” David added. “As a friend of your father, I feel responsible for you. From now on, you’ll be under my care.”
Liam didn’t know whether to trust him.
People lied. People betrayed.
But right now, he had no choice.
His eyes met young Carter’s, who smiled at him so innocently.
For the first time in a long time, Liam found himself smiling back.
Present Day
Liam exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening as he snapped back to reality.
The memories had softened him for just a moment.
But that was over now.
He couldn’t afford to feel anything for Elsa.
The past had taught him one thing—kindness was a weakness.
Hardening his heart once more, he turned and walked out of the room.
Without looking back.
- Writer
