Claim Me Captain! I'm Addicted to You!-Chapter 401: Let’s Talk (3)

Ella’s POV

"Oh, Ella..." Georgia’s voice softened as she pulled me into her arms, and the moment her warmth wrapped around me, the tears I’d been trying to hold back broke free. I clung to her, trembling, my breath catching on every inhale.

Vicky hovered beside us, her expression stricken. "Ella... I don’t even know what to say except I’m sorry you’re going through this because of my idiot brother."

I shook my head quickly, wiping at my wet cheeks even though more tears kept falling. "No, Vicky... don’t say that. This isn’t on you. Liam is a grown man; he knows exactly what he’s doing." My voice cracked. "And whatever happens between me and him... it won’t affect us. I won’t let it."

Georgia pulled back slightly, eyes narrowing with a spark that made my heart skip. "Then let’s set a trap," she said, smiling like she just came up with a bulletproof plan.

I blinked at her. "Georgia... no. I don’t want to drag you or Vicky into this mess." My voice wavered. "Liam is your family. I won’t be the reason things fall apart between you. I’ll walk away quietly if I have to. I just..." My lip trembled. "I just wish he’d tell me the truth. If he wants someone else... I won’t hold him back."

Vicky squatted in front of me, holding my hands. "What if we keep him here? It’s the weekend. I can tell Dad to convince everyone to stay the night. That way, he won’t have a chance to sneak out and meet her."

Georgia shook her head immediately. "Doesn’t matter. If a man wants to meet another woman, he’ll make time. Day, night, he’ll find a way."

The truth stung harder than the suspicion.

My chest crumpled as fresh tears streamed down. "Why does he have to lie to me?" I whispered, the words tasting raw and bitter. "I confronted him. I gave him the chance to say something, anything. But he keeps choosing lies. Why hold on to me if he’s already seeing someone else?"

Both girls wrapped their arms around me at once, a protective cocoon that held me up when I felt myself falling apart.

Then Vicky pulled back, determination sharpening her features. "Okay. That’s it. I’ve made up my mind." She cupped my cheek gently. "I’m not letting my brother break your heart like this. We’re setting him up."

I blinked. "Vicky—"

"No," she cut in firmly. "If someone’s going to risk making him mad, it’ll be me. He never stays mad at me for long anyway." She smirked before her expression softened with sisterly devotion. "You just follow my lead. We’ll make him slip, Ella. One way or another, we’ll pull the truth out of him."

Georgia nodded in agreement, eyes fierce. "You’re not alone. We’ve got you."

**********

Ella stepped out of the master bedroom once Georgia and Vicky finished freshening her up. The puffiness around her eyes was still faintly there, but with powder, concealer, and a soft swipe of lipstick, she looked composed, at least on the outside.

Vicky headed straight to the back porch, where her parents were arranging the furniture and decor.

Georgia moved to the living room, where Nick was signing the papers from the movers.

Ella stayed behind Georgia, breathing slowly, trying to calm the thrum of dread in her chest.

A moment later, Georgia called out, "Nick, I invited your family to stay the night. Would you mind asking Oliver, Steven, and Evelyn if they want to stay over, too?"

Nick’s face brightened instantly. "Yeah, of course!" He talked to the three who were just in the front door, and fortunately, all three agreed without hesitation.

Georgia then turned to Nora. "Please prepare all the guest rooms. We’ll have everyone sleeping here tonight."

Nora nodded and hurried upstairs.

Just then, Liam walked in through the side hallway carrying two boxes of decor with Wendy. Before he could set them down, Nick looked up and said, "Liam, everyone’s staying tonight."

Liam froze for a second, surprised, tense, and a flicker of discomfort crossed his expression before he masked it. He parted his lips to speak, but didn’t get the chance.

Benjamin, Prudence, and Vicky entered the living room just in time.

"I’ve already contacted a photographer," Benjamin announced proudly. "We’ll take a full family picture tonight. Everyone included."

Liam forced a smile, nodding at his father with an awkward stiffness that didn’t go unnoticed. Especially not by Ella.

Her heart twisted painfully.

"I’ll help Nora with the guest rooms," Ella offered quickly, needing an escape from the air that suddenly felt too heavy. Evelyn chimed in.

"I’ll go with her."

The two followed Nora upstairs. Ella didn’t look back, but Vicky did.

Vicky saw Liam watching Ella leave, eyes fixed on her until she turned the corner. And the moment she disappeared from view, Liam slipped his hand into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and looked like he was texting someone.

Vicky didn’t look away.

His phone vibrated.

He tapped the screen and walked toward the back door, shoulders tight.

Georgia, pretending to arrange a floral arrangement on the console table, noticed immediately. Vicky shot her a look, sharp, urgent.

They moved.

Quietly, they followed Liam through the hallway and stopped behind the window where the curtains cast just enough shadow to hide them.

Liam had walked to the far end of the back porch, phone pressed tightly against his ear.

His voice was low, but clear enough to catch.

"I’m sorry, Darla," he said. "But I have to cancel our dinner tonight. Nick and Georgia invited everyone to stay the night, and Dad is adamant everyone should stay—"

He didn’t get to finish.

Because at that exact moment, Vicky snapped.

She pushed open the back door so hard it slammed against the wall. Her fists were clenched, her eyes blazing with fury as she marched straight toward her brother, ready to start a war.

Georgia followed right behind her, jaw tight, already prepared to restrain Vicky if she exploded any further.

And out in the yard, Liam finally realized he’d been caught, and his sister doesn’t look like she’s up for peaceful talking.

******

Thanks for the Golden Ticket Kukeng15!