Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Do you think that’s possible? Sweetie is my child; she has nothing to do with you.”
He shook his head, forcing a bitter smile. “She’s mine too, Claire. Your child is my child.”
to endure your
I had no patience for his sentimental art. I coldly warned him, “I came out here to tell your to stop interfering in my life. I don’t want to manipulative games a second time.”
“Maybe a woman’s reputation means nothing to you, but it can destroy me. I hope, for the sake of the time we knew each other, you’ll let me go”
stepped closer and grabbed my hand. His eyes brimmed with regret, and tears fell onto the back of my hand. “Claire, what can I do to make you
I looked at his hand holding mine. He seemed to realize his mistake, and stiffly, he let go.
“Liam, why would I forgive you? It took everything I had to pull myself out of that pit, and now you’re trying to drag me back down? Are you that
unwilling to see me happy?”
Panic flashed in his eyes as he hurriedly explained. “That’s not what I mean. I just. I miss you. I want to be with you again.”
How could he even say such things? The memories of everything he’d done surged back, and anger boiled inside me. I raised my hand and slapped
Him bard across the face.
The imprint of my hand was clearly visible on his cheek.
“Liam, you’re disgusting”
He didn’t flinch or look hurt. Instead, he gazed at me with a kind of dazed adoration.
Two years ago, I had begged for his love. Now, the very thought of him made me sick
In the days that followed, Liam followed me and Sweetie wherever we
Sweetie, being a child, was easily won over by Liam’s little gifts and toys.
went.
I hated him, but Sweetie’s joy was my priority, so I reluctantly let her have her way.
Sweetie was a routine–oriented child. One evening, after she fell asleep early, I found Liam slumped on the stone steps outside my house, looking Utterly defeated.
Hearing the door open, he turned to face me, forcing an awkward smile
I stopped beside him and said flatly. “You got the results, didn’t you?
He froze, then tugged bitterly at the corners of his mouth. “I did. Sweetie really isn’t mine. She’s so close to me. I thought maybe she was our child.”
“I thought.. maybe that day was just a had dream.”
From the moment Liam began interacting with Sweetle, I had known what he was trying to do
Some truths, I suppose, people need to confirm for themselves.
After a pause, he added. “But it doesn’t matter. As long as she’s yours, I like her.”
1laughed, a hollow, bitter sound,
At this point, did I even need his approval for anything in my life?
I looked up at the moon, forcing back tears.
“Liant we
did have a child once, but it died the day you pushed me too far.”
“It died in place of the version of me that loved you to my core. The me standing here today doesn’t love you anymore.”
17:07
Love, a Hollow Promise
Chapter 9
With thay, I turned and went inside, shurting the door behind me
Liam followed, trying to step inside to confirm what I’d said, but I left him locked outrade
That night, I couldn’t sleep
Holding Sweetie close, Flughed softly to myself. If my first child had survived, they would be Sweetie’s
They would tug at my arm begging me to make snow pastries. They’d call me “Mummy” from the convenire more doorway, clinging to me with
Maybe things between Liam and me would have turned out differently.
aybe, for the child’s sake, I might have forgiven him
all I had was Sweetie,
And thank God I had Sweetie
That year, after a single call from Lism. I parked my bags and left for the city overnight. That’s where I met Sweetie’s mother-
had just lost her husband and was battling a terminal diness. We became close friends, and when she passed away, she entrusted Sweetie to me
Sweetie has been my daughter, and I have been her mommy.
We’ve lived a umple, happy life in this small city
The next morning, Liam.
up with breakfast, rugging the doorbell as if nothing had changed.
Sweetie ran to open the door, eager to see
I followed and helped her open the door. She threw herself into Liam’s arms and cupped has fare, giving him a kiss.
“Sweetie, did you mist Uncle Liam?”
Over the past few days. Sweetje’s
india Liam had grown stronger. But Liam and I were impossible, and no matter how much Sweetie Liked
AlterInpakfast, we took Sweetie to
Didn’t mince words “You have a choice either t
“you leave, of Sweetie and i will.
“Sweetie doesn’t adjust to change easily it took her a long time to settle here. Can’t you respect that, at least for the sake of the child we once had? Let the aiul Sweetie stay here”
We knew each other too well understood exactly where to strike to hurt the most
Mentioning the child cut ham deeply. For the first time. I saw Liam cry–and he cried afhen
Tears rolled down his face as he looked at me with guilt. “Please don’t say that “
I didnt relent, driving the knife deeper. It’s the truth. What else am I supposed to say?
sweetie, oblivious to the tension played with ants in the grass, calling out to me, “Mummy, they can’t find their way?
I walked over and knelt beside her, helping her play with the ants
Liam’s footsteps were heavy. The short distance between us seemed to take him
Finally, he stopped behind me and begged. “Can you let me stay until the end of the day? I promise I’ll leave tonight.”
His rice was thick with emotion, as if the very air had grown damp and mist
I didn respond, considering his request a silent agreement
It didn’t matter, so long as he lett
Chapter 10
