Page 131 of Ward Willing
My vision blurs as Liam’s expression falls—long enough to show me that he doesn’treallywant to end things.
He just thinks he has to.
He takes a slow step forward, and Captain emits a low, steady growl. He pulls something from his pocket and sets it down on the foyer table.
“You’re right. When your father died, he wrote me a letter. I haven’t had the courage to open it until tonight. Until it slipped out of your files.”
That’s the last thing I expected him to say. “What did it say?” I ask.
Liam’s jaw ticks as he looks down at the floor. “He told me to protect you and to watch out for men who hurt you,” he adds, voice low. “I could’ve really hurt you. Ididreally hurt you. The only thing I should be doing is protecting you.”
Realization slams through me. “And you think he meant this?” I ask, my voice high as I gesture between us. “That you making one small mistake was what he meant, despite how much you’ve given back to me? Despite always looking out for me?” A sob breaks free from my chest. “I don’t know what my father would’ve thought about us, but quite frankly, I’m sick of trying to appease him because itdoesn’t matter.We’re the ones who have our whole lives ahead of us. Don’t you—” I choke out another sob. “Don’t you want that? With me?”
Liam sniffs and looks away, and I swear I see him quickly wipe a tear away. “He wrote you a letter, too,” he says quietly, pointing to the white envelope on the foyer table. “I’m sorry it took me so long to give it to you.”
My chest cracks as I walk over to the table and take the letter. When I look at him, he’s looking away.
“Liam, there’s nothing in this letter that would make me change my mind about you. No matter what he says, I will always choose you.”
Liam squeezes his eyes shut and backs up as I take a step closer. “I need some time, Zoe. I’m going to go stay with Orion for a couple of days.”
My chest—my heart—cracks in half. “Really? You’re just going to run away?”
Liam’s anguished expression tears through my heart, straight down to my very soul. “Zoe.”
“Can’t you see thatthisis hurting me?” I say, hiccupping as I cry. “Notbeing with you is hurting me.”
“Your wrist says otherwise,” he growls, his expression a wall of self-deprecation.
He wavers for a second, looking between me and Captain before grabbing his bag and opening the door. I fight the urge to hurl the glass vase on the table at the door after he walks through and closes it. Instead, I lock it, set the alarm, and jog upstairs, gripping my dad’s letter tightly in my hand. I set it down on my desk before falling into my bed.
My phone chimes with a new notification, and I sit up quickly, thinking that maybe it’s Liam texting me to say he’s sorry.
It takes me a second to realize it’s an email. My thumb is shaking as I unlock my phone to read it.
Dear Ms. Arma,
We’re delighted to tell you that you’ve been accepted for the 30-day writer’s workshop in London on a full scholarship. We were completely riveted by your writing sample, and we hope you’ll join us next week.
Below you can find more information and paperwork, but for now, all we need is your confirmation to secure your spot.
If possible, can you please let us know if you’re still interested?
Looking forward to speaking soon.
Best Regards,
Anna St. Claire
InkLondon: A 30-day Immersive Program for New Writers
I hit the reply button, and my fingers move quicker than I can think.
Yes, I’m still interested. See you next week!
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
THE RECKONING
