Chapter 83: A strain

Book:SOLD TO THE BILLIONAIRE. Published:2024-8-27

“Argh” Isabelle exclaimed in pain as she came to, her gaze was unfocused, her expression disoriented. She was experiencing the backlash of the chaotic incident that was in place the previous night. As she sat up slowly, her head spinned and her face turned pale and drawn due to the throbbing pain.
Isabelle’s thoughts were disjointed as she tried to piece together what had happened before her blackout. Her face was etched in distress as the memories gradually came back to her. She was ruthlessly stamped upon by the masses, a result of her not heeding the agreement signed by her and Liam.
Yes, Liam. The flitting memory of his soft gaze on her, when she had fainted, made her smile weakly. She needed to see him, she needed to enjoy the last moment she would be his fiancee before the secrets kept in the dark were brought to light.
Though she was scared and would do anything in her power to hide the truth in her bosom forever, that decision was far from her reach. As she walked, with a sense of hesitation, to the living room, she was welcomed by a sight pleasing to the eyes.
Liam, sat on the sofa performing the usual routine- a magazine in his hands and a hot coffee beside him.
“Good morning, Liam”Isabelle greeted as her face reddened in shame. She couldn’t bring herself to face him but she had to try.
Liam threw a glance at her. This time, not a glance filled to the brim with disdain and coldness, but one that acknowledged her presence.
“I’m sorry about…”
“Don’t” Liam interrupted her apology as he folded the magazine in his palms and stood up lazily from the sofa, clearing his throat as he sought to speak his mind. “You don’t owe me an apology. I knew you had feelings for my cousin the first time I saw you with him, but I ignored it thinking I could make you love me instead”
“But I do love you” Isabelle protested as tears welled up in her eyes. The familiar painful feeling rose in her soul.
Liam shook his head in denial and replied, “No you don’t, Isabelle. If you did love me, you wouldn’t have gone out with my cousin behind my back and you would have told me the truth if it was just a friendly chitchat. But, you chose to hide it; a testament to the fact that you are infatuated with him”
“I wanted to tell you…”Isabelle choked on her tears.
“Are you sure of that, Isabelle?”Liam berated as he walked up to her. He cupped her face with his hands, looking straight into her eyes. “Now, tell me if you never had the intention of hiding your act of betrayal from me”
Isabelle failed to find any words to defend herself. Truly, she was keen on keeping her and Max’s forced outing from her but how could she tell him that?…. She didn’t even dare to lie to his face.
Liam noticed her hesitation. A glint of pain flashed through his eyes as the assumptions he had made earlier turned out to be true. He released her face from his grip and took a step back, trying to put his emotions in check. He knew she loved him but never wanted her to show it by keeping secrets from him.
He inhaled deeply before giving his final verdict. “From now henceforth, you will have your freedom to interact with whoever pleases you. I won’t stop you….. And when you feel like this agreement between us should be canceled, I’ll be waiting for you”
Isabelle stood frozen on a spot as Liam walked away from her without looking back. She wanted to cry but all the water in her sockets was completely exhausted. She could only store up the pain in her heart.
“Darn…” She cursed at her thoughts of wanting to enjoy the last moment of intimacy with him when she had been in the arms of another man. She mocked herself for holding on to their contract, knowing too well that her secret was going to come to light.
But what would happen to her feelings for him?… She couldn’t give up that. She wanted to lean towards the dim light at the end of the tunnel hoping for a second chance. A second chance at love.
Isabelle knew she needed help and the right people for that were within her reach. Acting fast was the utmost priority now. Any further act of delay could escalate things. She walked back to her room as she patted her pain-filled heart.
“Hello… Rachael. It’s me, Isabelle” She introduced as she dialed out the telephone number that was boldly written on a business card in her hand.
***
Liam stood by the window with a smoke pipe in his mouth, the source of the fog of smoke that engulfed the study room. It was an old habit of his that he had willingly dropped to protect the health of the one woman that he loved. The same woman who was now the source of his heartbreak.
He had said those cold words to her, not to crush her, but to give her the opportunity of a free life that she had been craving for. If she truly loved him, she would come back to him. He was ready to love her from a distance and wish her true happiness from the bottom of his heart.
The sudden shrill of a phone pierced the solemn atmosphere of the study room.
“Good morning, boss” the caller on the other line greeted
“Good morning, Sarah” Liam responded to his secretary. “I’m on my way to the office. Is there something urgent?”
“Yes sir, there is”Sarah affirmed with a worrisome tone in her voice.
“What is it, Sarah?” Liam questioned as his gaze darkened. He knew the backlash of the unfavorable situation at the gala, the previous night, was about to begin.
“The press surrounded the building, demanding an explanation. To top it all, Kyle Brenett is here. Your presence is needed here sir” Sarah explained with a sense of urgency in her voice.
“I’m on my way”Liam replied.