Alice’s POV
I pulled into the driveway, my heart was racing. I took a deep breath and opened the front door.
The house was quiet, but I could hear faint noises coming from upstairs. Bracing myself for what I might find, I slowly made my way up the stairs.
As I reached the top, I noticed the noise coming from Liam’s room. I made my way there, and as I drew closer, the noises grew louder.
I hesitated for a moment before pushing open his door open. But he wasn’t there, and surprisingly everywhere was dead silent now.
The beating of my heart quickened. I noticed the bathroom door being slightly opened and slowly dragged my feet there.
What I saw made my blood run cold.
There, in the bathtub, were Liam and Elizabeth. They were soaked from the bathwater, with Elizabeth straddling him, she was right on him, their lips almost touching.
“Li… am?” My voice shook.
Both Liam and Elizabeth looked up, shock and guilt written all over their faces. The room was filled with an unbearable tension.
” Why?…” I asked, my eyes filling with tears.
He stood up, pushing Elizabeth off him. “Alice, I can explain…”
But I wasn’t ready to hear his excuses. My world was crumbling, and I didn’t know if I could ever trust him again. With tears streaming down my face, I turned and fled from the room, my heart breaking with each step.
______
I drove aimlessly through the city streets, tears blurring my vision. The image of Elizabeth and Liam in the bathtub replayed in my mind, each replay piercing my heart anew.
I pulled over in front of Emma’s house, my last sanctuary. I hoped she would understand, and more importantly, that she would help me make sense of this chaos.
I rang the doorbell, and within moments, Emma was at the door, her face softening with concern as she saw my tear-streaked cheeks.
“Alice! What happened?” she asked, pulling me into a warm embrace.
“I need to talk, Em. Can I stay here for a few days?” My voice broke, and I felt a fresh wave of tears coming.
“Of course. Come in, come in,” she said, leading me into her cozy living room. I sank into the sofa and immediately more tears steamed down my cheeks.
Emma joined me minutes later and handed me a cup of hot tea and an handkerchief .” What happened Alice? .”
” I caught Elizabeth and Liam on each other,” I blurted out and immediately burst into tears.
“Elizabeth, that bitch!,” Emma groaned. She gently patted me on the back, “Tell me everything,” She urged.
Between sobs and shaky breaths, I told her everything, Elizabeth’s visit, how Liam reacted, my dad getting sick and finally me coming back to meet them like that.
“So, you just left? Alice, you have to talk to Liam. You can’t just walk away without hearing his side,” she urged gently.
“I can’t, Em. I can’t face him right now,” I whispered, clutching the teacup as if it were a lifeline.
“Okay, but you can’t hide here forever.” She sighed. I understood what she meant, Liam would know I was her sooner or later and would come drag me back home.
“Let’s go out tonight, so you can get your mind off things,” she suggested.
“I don’t know…”
“Please, Alice. You need a break. Let’s just have some fun, dance a little, drink a little. What do you say?”
Reluctantly, I nodded. “Alright. Maybe a night out will help.
______
Liam’s POV
I dialed Alice’s number for what felt like the hundredth time. The call went straight to voicemail again. Frustration and guilt gnawed at me. I needed to explain, to make her understand what had really happened.
“Where are you, Alice?” I muttered to myself, pacing the living room. Elizabeth walked in, a smug smile playing on her lips.
“Still no answer?” she asked innocently.
“Leave me alone, Elizabeth. You’ve caused enough trouble,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
She pouted. “I was just trying to help…”
“Help? You call what you did helping? Just stay out of my way.”
Elizabeth’s smirk faded, replaced with a look of faux concern. “Liam, you’re just laying your frustrations on me. I was just…”
“Just what, Elizabeth? Just ruining my life? Get out of here before I do something I regret.”
She shrugged, heading towards the door. “Fine. But you know where to find me if you need me.”
As she left, I collapsed onto the couch, running my hands through my hair. My mind raced with thoughts of Alice. How could everything fall apart so quickly? I needed to find her, to make her see that this was a mistake.
I grabbed my keys and headed out the door, determined to find Alice and fix this mess.
_________
Alice’s POV
The club was loud, filled with pulsing music and the hum of conversation. Emma had dragged me out despite my protests, insisting that a night out was exactly what I needed. As we sat at the bar, I sipped my drink, trying to lose myself in the atmosphere.
“See? Isn’t this better?” Emma yelled over the music, a smile on her face.
I forced a smile. “Yeah, it’s… it’s okay.”
Emma’s eyes softened. “I know you’re hurting, Alice. But you need to live a little. Forget about Liam for tonight.”
I nodded, taking a bigger sip of my drink. “You’re right. I need to forget.”
We danced, laughed, and tried to make the most of the night. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the image of Liam and Elizabeth. It haunted me, reminding of the betrayal I felt.
At some point when I noticed Emma was distracted, I made my way out. I found myself outside, leaning against the wall and staring up at the stars. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the heat of the club. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.
“Mind if I join you?” Emma’s voice broke the silence.
I nodded, and she sat beside me, her expression full of concern.
“Are you okay?” she asked gently.
“No, not really,” I admitted. “I just… I don’t know what to do, Em. My whole world is falling apart.”
Emma wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “You’ll figure it out, Alice. You’re stronger than you think.”
I leaned into her embrace, grateful for her support. “Thanks, Emma. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
” Nothing,” She joked. Emma, always joking during sad periods.
” Can we go back in now?,” She urged. ” You go in, I will join you soon,” I retorted.
” Why can’t we go in together?,” She raised her brow. ” Cause I need some fresh air and would join you soon,” I drawled.
” Fine. Ten minutes, only ten minutes. If you aren’t in by then, I will come and drag you in,” She threatened.
” I will join you before then. Go in..,” I groaned pushing her forward.
” Ten minutes,” She demonstrated before walking in.
I let out a deep sigh, I hate my life.
_______
Liam’s POV
I drove around aimlessly, my thoughts was a chaotic mess. I needed to find Alice, to explain everything. But where could she be? My mind raced through the possibilities of where she could have gone.
“Why are you Alice?.”