Erased vows

CHAPTER TEN

Tara’s words from yesterday's dinner still echoed in my ears long after the dinner plates had been cleared.

“They’re saying there’s a date now. An actual wedding date. Liam and Clarisse, can you believe that?”

I hadn’t responded at the time, only swallowed down the sharp burn in my chest with a forced sip of wine.

The lights, the laughter, even Tara’s voice had faded behind a ringing silence, and the food felt tasteless.

I felt broken again.

I guess I can never get used to the pain I felt from three years ago.

I should’ve expected it.

They have been engaged for a while now.

Clarisse always got what she wanted. And Liam, well, he was too noble to remember what we once were.

standing behind my desk at Grey Empire the next morning, I tried to focus on compiling detailed files for a last-minute investor briefing.

With Maya being on leave, everything has been dumped on me without warning.

Between crying into my pillow last night and working nonstop today, I haven't had time to follow up on Dr McMillian.

Now in Liam's office adding finishing touches to the presentation while he dictates.

My fingers paused over the keyboard as the main office door swung open.

A familiar, calculating voice rang through the space. “Liam, darling! You weren’t returning my calls.”

Clarisse.

Her entrance was as striking as ever strutting in as though the floor had been laid out for her arrival.

Her model body swung in perfect rhythm, Her red lipstick was too sharp, her heels too loud, her presence too blinding.

I stepped back instinctively, wishing i could fade into the corner of my cubicle.

But she saw me immediately.

I never planned to meet her so soon.

I felt the bile rise to my throat.

Her smile dropped for half a second. “Oh,” she said, eyeing me from head to toe, “You’ve replaced Maya?”

Liam’s eyes flicked up briefly, and for a breath, they found mine. Then he turned to Clarisse. “What are you doing here?”

She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Her hand slid along the back of his neck in a familiar way, one that made my heart break.

But Liam didn’t respond. His arms stayed at his sides. His expression remained unreadable.

“I missed you,” she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “You’ve been so distant lately.”

“I’ve been busy.” He pulled slightly.

I couldn't take it anymore.

Tears threatened to spill.

I can't let her see me break.

Clarisse’s gaze swept over me again. “Your assistant,” she said with a laugh that didn’t reach her eyes, “I thought we agreed to get rid of her?”

I froze.

Liam turned his back as if dismissing her comment, but I didn’t miss the subtle tension in his jaw.

“Mr Grey, I will be at my office if you need anything,” I turned to leave.

Clarisse walked closer to me. “What did you say your name was again?”

“Elsie,” I said, trying to keep the c***k in my voice low.

She tilted her head. “Elsie…” A pause. “Is that so?”

That venomous edge was one I remembered all too well. My throat tightened, and suddenly, I was back there—three years ago, in that sterile hallway of Liam’s penthouse.

—A night before the accident—-

“You don’t belong here,” Clarisse had hissed, cornering me inside the kitchen I had designed myself. “He’s a Grey. You’re… nothing.”

I was making dinner and this was the first time I was meeting Liam's most talked-about friend. His childhood best friend he always wanted me to meet.

But right from the introduction, she made no effort in hiding her dislike for me.

“I’m his wife.” I whispered back, barely able to breathe.

“Not for long,” she smirked. “He’s just confused, he will get bored, he doesn't love you, he will come back to me soon.”

I replied with confidence dripping from my tongue, “I know my Liam will never hurt me.”

“I was in his life before you and I will always be! You are temporary,” she spat.

And then, the accident.

The timing had always haunted me.

He left!