Chapter Four: The Silence Between Us
817 Words
The night refused to move on.
Even after everything that had happened, silence still clung to the Cross residence like a wound that refused to heal.
Liam carefully checked the bandage one last time before letting go of her foot.
For a few silent moments, he remained kneeling before her, gently holding her hand.
But Isla wasn’t looking at him.
Her empty gaze remained fixed on the shimmering water of the swimming pool.
She was somewhere far away…
Lost in the memories of the man who had once promised her forever.
Breaking the heavy silence, Liam spoke softly.
“Madam…”
“It’s late.”
“You should get some rest.”
Without turning toward him, Isla answered quietly,
“I don’t think sleep will ever find me again.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever sleep again.”
“Please…”
“Leave me alone.”
Liam lowered his eyes.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
The cold night breeze swept across the garden.
Liam waited for a moment before trying again.
“The weather is getting colder.”
“If you stay here any longer, you’ll get sick.”
No response.
Isla continued staring at the water as though it held every memory she had ever treasured.
Liam slowly crouched in front of her once more.
The cut on his own hand—caused while removing the shattered glass from her feet—was still bleeding.
He ignored it completely.
Instead, he gently held Isla’s trembling hand.
“Madam…”
This time…
Isla finally looked at him.
Her eyes were lifeless.
Almost empty.
Liam swallowed hard.
“Please…”
“You don’t have to stay strong anymore.”
“If you can’t bring yourself to care tonight… then let me care for you.”
A long silence followed.
Finally, Isla spoke.
“Why…?”
“Why are you hurting because of me?”
Liam looked into her tear-filled eyes.
For a brief moment…
He couldn’t find the right words.
Then he gave a faint, bitter smile.
“Because…”
“No one deserves to suffer like this.”
He slowly stood up and extended his hand toward her.
“Come with me, Madam.”
“Please.”
After a long hesitation…
Isla finally placed her hand in his.
Liam carefully helped her to her feet, making sure not to put pressure on her injured soles.
As they slowly walked toward the mansion, Liam instinctively looked up.
On the master bedroom balcony…
Damien stood silently beneath the moonlight.
His expression remained unreadable.
For a brief second…
Their eyes met.
Neither of them looked away.
Liam quietly guided her inside.
Every step up the staircase sent another wave of pain through her injured feet, but she never uttered a single complaint.
When they reached the second floor, Isla paused for a moment.
The master bedroom stood directly across from hers.
The same room…
Where she had once believed she would spend the rest of her life beside Damien.
Without saying a word, she entered her own bedroom.
Liam carefully helped her sit on the edge of the bed.
“You should try to sleep, Madam.”
His voice was gentle.
“I’ll be outside if you need anything.”
Isla gave no reply.
She simply stared at the wedding ring resting in her palm.
Liam quietly left the room and closed the door behind him.
⸻
As Liam descended the staircase…
He suddenly stopped.
Someone was waiting in the hallway.
Damien Cross.
His hair was slightly messy.
The top buttons of his shirt remained undone.
A half-filled glass of wine rested in his hand.
From the look on his face…
It seemed he had been waiting for Liam.
Damien slowly took a sip before speaking.
His voice was calm.
Dangerously calm.
“You’re becoming awfully concerned about my wife.”
He took another slow step forward.
“Be careful, Liam.”
“Sympathy has a way of becoming something else.”
“Don’t forget your place.”
The air between them instantly grew tense.
Liam met Damien’s cold stare without lowering his head.
“The only person who crossed the line tonight…”
“…was you.”
Silence.
Damien’s jaw tightened.
Liam continued,
“I’m only helping her survive…”
“While you were busy destroying her.”
For the first time that night…
Something flickered across Damien’s face.
It disappeared almost instantly.
Liam walked past him.
Just before reaching his room, he stopped without turning around.
“You once asked me to protect Mrs. Cross.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“But unfortunately…”
“You have.”
Without another word, Liam entered his room.
The door clicked shut.
Damien remained standing alone in the empty hallway.
His grip around the wine glass tightened.
His expression hardened.
He slowly raised the glass to his lips…
For the first time that night…
the wine tasted bitter.
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