When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 19: Obsession?

"We’re not divorced, Jessica." He said more calmly this time. "I didn’t sign the papers. You’re still my wife." He repeated, like I was deaf.

The truth hit me like a ton of bricks, knocking the air out of me. My mind reeled, thoughts swirling in chaos.

Two years of freedom, or so I thought. Two years of rebuilding my life, of healing and moving on.

But it was all a lie.

I had broken my SIM card, discarded my phone, and severed ties with the past. No calls, no messages, no social media. I’d erased myself from the digital world.

And yet, here I was, still bound to Liam by law.

The thought sent a shiver down my spine. All this time, I’d believed I was single, free to start anew. But the truth was, I’d been tied to him, silently shackled to a marriage I thought was long dead.

Zoey’s face flashed in my mind. Had she known? Had she been waiting patiently for Liam to finalize our divorce, only to discover he’d never signed the papers?

A wave of anger washed over me. How could he do this to me? To us? To Zoey?

"Why?" I demanded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why didn’t you sign the papers?"

Liam’s eyes met mine, filled with a mixture of regret and longing. "I couldn’t let you go," he said, his voice barely audible.

I shook my head, incredulous. "You had no right."

Liam’s jaw clenched, his expression resolute. "I know. But I couldn’t bring myself to sign away my marriage, my wife."

’My wife.’

The words slapped me in the face, mocking me repeatedly.

I was still his wife.

"Pull over!" I yelled, my heart burning with rage.

Liam’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, his expression cautious, before he veered onto the shoulder. The car pulled to a stop, and he turned off the engine.

I tried to open the door and get out, but the door wouldn’t budge. I shot him a death glare. "Unlock the door, will you?!"

Liam shook his head, his jaw set. "I can’t."

"For fuck’s sake, what the hell do you want?!" I thundered, feeling frustrated.

Liam’s eyes locked onto mine, his gaze unwavering. "You," he said, his voice low and husky.

I scoffed, incredulous. "You have Zoey, the love of your life, the woman whose body you willingly betrayed your wife for! What else do you want, holding on to me like a shameless douchebag that you are?!"

Liam’s face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "Zoey was a mistake," he growled. "A momentary lapse of judgment. You’re my wife, Jessica. My only wife."

I laughed, a bitter sound. "Save it, Liam. You’ve made it clear what I’m worth to you."

Liam’s hands clenched into fists. "You don’t understand– "

"I understand perfectly," I cut in, my voice venomous. "You want to keep me tied to you, out of guilt or habit or whatever twisted reason. Well, newsflash: I’m done. I deserve better than a cheating, lying, manipulative husband." I glared, "Open the damn car."

Liam’s face paled, but his eyes burned with determination. "You’re not going anywhere until we talk this through."

My glare turned fierce, fury boiling over. "Unlock. The. Door." I spelled through gritted teeth.

"No!" he bellowed, slamming his fist on the steering wheel.

The sudden impact jolted me, making me jump in my seat. The sound echoed through the confined space, amplifying my anxiety.

Liam’s eyes blazed with intensity, his face inches from mine. "You’re not walking away from this, Jessica. Not again."

I recoiled, my heart racing. "Liam, stop. You’re scaring me."

His expression softened, but his voice remained firm. "I won’t let you go. Not until you listen to me."

I shook my head, desperation creeping in. "I’ve heard enough. Let me out."

Liam’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. "No, Jessica. You’re going to hear me out. You’re going to understand why I did what I did."

"Why you cheated on me?" I spat, venom in my voice.

Liam’s face contorted, pain etched on his features. "I was wrong, Jessica. I know that. But I love you. I always have."

I laughed with disbelief and anger. "Love? You call what you did love?"

Liam’s eyes pleaded with me. "Jessica, please– "

"Let. Me. Out." I enunciated each word, my voice trembling with rage.

Liam’s jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with determination. "No."

I took a long, deep breath, trying to process the audacity of his request. "Does Zoey know this? Does she know that you’re harassing me?"

Liam’s expression turned somber. "Zoey is long gone."

I clapped, sarcasm dripping from my voice. "Wow, congratulations! You’ve finally managed to drive away yet another woman. You’re here because Zoey left you? You’re back for me because you don’t want your life to be empty? I’m just a space holder?"

Liam’s face contorted in anguish. "No, that’s not true. I sent her away. I’m sorry, Jessica. I truly am."

I laughed, incredulous. "You think a simple apology will erase everything?"

Liam’s eyes pleaded with me. "Please, give me another chance to make it up to you, and show you how regretful I’ve been. I’ll announce our marriage. If you want all my shares, my position in the company...anything you want, I’ll give it to you. Just please, Jessica, one last chance."

My disgust grew with each word. "And you think I want any of that? I’m not a gold digger, Liam!"

Liam’s hands rose in defense. "I never said you are."

"No amount of money, property, nothing can buy you my forgiveness," I spat. "It’s not for sale, you pig! You think you can buy me back like a possession?"

Liam’s face crumpled, but I felt no pity. "Jessica, please—"

"Get this through your head, Liam: I. Don’t. Want. You. I want nothing from you. No money, no shares, no apologies. Just leave me alone."

The words hung in the air, a stark rejection. Liam’s eyes filled with tears, but I turned away, done with the conversation.

"Is this because of Kristen?" he suddenly asked, his eyes narrowing.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺