ALICE’S POV.
First, I took a whole chicken and placed it in a large pot, covering it with water. I brought it to a boil, skimming off any foam that rose to the top. Once it was simmering, I added chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic, along with a bay leaf. I let everything simmer for about an hour until the chicken was tender and cooked through.
Next, I took the chicken out of the pot, let it cool slightly, and then shredded the meat off the bones. I discarded the bones and returned the shredded chicken to the pot. I seasoned the soup with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley, letting it simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
While the soup was finishing, I boiled water for our herbal tea. I placed a small handful of fresh mint leaves into a teapot and poured the boiling water over them. I let the tea steep for about 5-10 minutes before straining out the leaves. To sweeten it up a bit, I added a touch of honey.
I was in the kitchen already making one of Liam’s most loved food; Chicken soup and herbal tea while I sang one of my favorite child hood song, twinkle little star.
My mind was still buzzing with the events of the previous day, but I was determined to focus on the present and enjoy this peaceful moment.
Just then, the kitchen door swung open, and Elizabeth walked in, her presence instantly disrupting my calm.
“Good morning,” she greeted, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
The scene of she laying on Liam in the bathroom flashed through my mind and I could feel my blood boil.
I blatantly ignored her, concentrating on flipping the bacon in the pan.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and went to pour herself a cup of juice from the fridge. She took a sip and then turned toward me, her gaze piercing.
“So, did Liam tell you the truth?” she asked casually, but I could hear the underlying malice in her tone.
I glanced at her briefly, my patience wearing thin. “What truth?”
Elizabeth chuckled, a sinister sound that made my skin crawl. “The truth about what happened when you were away.”
I snorted, trying to keep my composure. “I know nothing happened. Liam wouldn’t do that to me.”
Her grin widened. “Are you sure about that? Because I remember it very clearly. He couldn’t keep his hands off me.”
My temper flared, and I turned to face her fully. “If you’re so obsessed with the truth, then tell me what happened.”
Elizabeth’s eyes lit up with a glee immediately. “My pleasure,” she said, stepping closer.
“While you were at dad’s place, Liam and I got… intimate. We slept together. And let me tell you, he was the best fuck I’ve ever had. He switched up sex styles at every interval, thrusting into me so hard, kissing me passionately, and caressing every inch of my body. It was the best sex of my life.”
Her words hit me like a sledgehammer, shattering my heart into pieces. I felt my world crumbling beneath me, a lump forming in my throat as I fought back tears. I could barely breathe, the room spinning around me.
But then, something snapped inside me. I burst out laughing, masking my inner turmoil with forced mirth. “You’re such a good liar, aren’t you?” I said, clapping my hands loudly. “I trust Liam, and he would never do that.”
Elizabeth’s smile vanished, replaced by a furious scowl. “If you trust him so much, so be it. But if you’re done being delulu, you can check the CCTV cameras in his room and find out the truth!” she snapped before storming out of the kitchen.
I turned back to the stove, my hands trembling as I continued cooking. But I couldn’t tear my mind away from the gnawing doubt Elizabeth had planted. What if she was telling the truth? What if Liam had betrayed me?
I tried to push the thoughts away, focusing on the task at hand. But it was no use. The images Elizabeth had described kept flashing in my mind, haunting me. I needed to know the truth, no matter how much it might hurt.
—
With a heavy heart and shaking hands, I made my way to the security chambers of the house. I pushed open the door to the CCTV room, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. I sat down at the desk, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. Please, God, let her be lying.
I searched through the footage of the day Elizabeth mentioned, my heart pounding in my chest. I found the footage from when I left the house, my eyes glued to the screen. There was Elizabeth, cooking dinner in the kitchen. And there was Liam, in his room, going through some files. I let out a sigh of relief. Nothing unusual so far.
But then the footage showed Elizabeth walking toward Liam’s room. My heart sank as I watched her open the door and step inside. I felt like I was going to be sick. I forced myself to keep watching, praying that it was all a misunderstanding.
My worst fears were confirmed as I saw Liam and Elizabeth kissing, their bodies entwined. I watched in horror as they moved to the bed, their clothes coming off. The screen displayed their passionate encounter, every kiss, every touch, every thrust. It was exactly as Elizabeth had described.
My vision blurred with tears as I watched Liam betray me in the most intimate way possible. I felt like I was being stabbed in the heart, over and over again. I had trusted him blindly, and this was how he repaid me.
I couldn’t breathe. My chest felt tight, my head spinning. I fell to my knees, sobbing uncontrollably. My world was completely destroyed. Everything I had believed in, everything I had hoped for, was a lie.