chapter 3 Facing the ruthless Liam
906 Words
Aria’s POV
The ride to Liam’s mansion felt so overwhelming . The air inside the car was too heavy, like I was being choked. My father sat in the front, quiet… too quiet. I met his eyes in the mirror, my voice was trembling. “Dad… please say something.”
Nothing. “I beg you,” I mumbled, my voice got stuck. “You are not gonna let this happen to me… will you?”
He clenched his hands. For a moment, I thought he might reverse. I thought he would take my side for once since mum died. But then he sighed and avoided my eyes. “It is for a greater good,” he said in a low voice. Something inside me was shattered.
Liam Ashford’s mansion sat at the edge of the city like a silent king. Even my family’s wealth looked small next to it. Now I understand. This was the world of the richest man in the country. And I was being pulled into it.
The butler, Mr. Cole, led us inside. “Mr. Ashford will be with you soon,” he said before leaving. I barely had time to think before my stepmother came close. She fixed my hair like I was a doll. “Smile,” she said softly. “You wouldn't want to upset him more.” My hands turned into fists. I hate you. She smiled, pleased. “You’ll thank me one day.” The door opened. Everything changed.
He came in using a wheelchair, yet he controlled the whole room. Dressed in black. Cold. Calm. Dangerous. His presence felt like a storm. Liam Ashford. The CEO. He didn’t greet us. He didn’t smile. His eyes went straight to me, sharp and deep. “So,” he said in a low voice, “this is the replacement.” The word hit me hard. Replacement.
I swallowed and raised my head. “I’m not an object.” Something flashed in his eyes… interest.
“Good,” he said. “I don’t like weak things.”
My stepmother laughed nervously. “She’s just overwhelmed, Mr. Ashford.” “Get out.”
The words cut through the room. My stepmother froze. “But…” “I said,” his voice turned colder, “get out.” No one argued. Not even my father. In seconds, they were gone. I was alone with him.
Silence filled the room. Heavy. Slow. Wheeling closer to me.
I stood frozen as Liam’s cold eyes pierced mine. His voice cut deep; this wasn’t a home, it was punishment. He blamed me for the accident, his wheelchair, his lost love. But I wasn’t the driver that night. My chest tightened but I couldn't tell him the truth because of what Emma has on me. Trapped in his revenge, I felt helpless… and wrongly condemned.
“I know about Ethan Cole,” Liam said, his voice low, deadly calm. My heart stopped. “If you ever think of escaping,” he continued, wheeling closer, “I’ll ruin the man you cherish so much.” “Don’t” My voice broke. His eyes darkened. “I’ll strip him of everything. His name, his future… piece by piece.”
Fear crawled under my skin. “He’ll fall because of you,” Liam whispered.
I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. “Please… leave him out of this.” Liam leaned in, cold and merciless. “Then don’t give me a reason to touch him.” My breath stopped. His eyes locked on mine. Cold. He said slowly, “I can't bear to see you happy.” The air turned dangerous.
“Do you know why?” he asked quietly. “Because you are the reason I’m in this chair.” I froze. “You are the reason my fiancée left me,” he continued, his anger showing. “She couldn’t stay with a man who can’t walk… who can’t even..” His voice broke with rage.
I tried to speak. “But I…” “Stop talking!” he shouted. “Be glad I showed mercy, at least you'll get to answer Mrs. Ashford.” Silence filled the room again. Heavy. Painful. He threw a file at me. “Read.” I took a breath, then opened it cautiously. My eyes moved across the first page and my blood ran cold. It wasn’t business papers. It wasn’t about the accident. It was about me. My school records. My medical history. Private messages. Even my chats with Ethan. My hands shook. “How… how do you have this?” He didn’t answer at once. He just watched me, like he had been waiting. Then he spoke quietly.
“I have had my eyes on you for a long time.”
The room went quiet. Dark. Scary. My heart dropped. “What…?” I whispered. His eyes stayed on mine. “One more thing,” he said coldly. “You will stop all contact with Ethan Lincoln. The marriage contract will be ready soon. The butler will show you out, be here on time tomorrow, Mrs. Ashford.”
Then he turned his wheelchair and left for his study.
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