When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 21: Dying

Liam’s POV

Just as my world was fading into darkness, a sudden, violent intrusion shattered the quiet atmosphere. A car, its engine roaring, screeched to a halt.

Opening my burning eyes and glancing at my rear mirror felt like an impossible task. A sleek black sedan had come to a stop mere inches from my vehicle, its tires smoking from the abrupt halt. The door swung open, and a panicked looking Micheal emerged, rushing towards my car.

A soft sigh of relief escaped my lips and tears poured from my eyes, not because I was sad, but from the fever or migraine. I couldn’t even tell anymore. My body felt like it was on fire, my head throbbing with every beat of my heart.

I heard incessant knocks on my glass window, the sound echoing through my haze. Moving my hand to open the door was almost unachievable. Every muscle protested, screaming in agony.

With extreme difficulty, I summoned the strength to unlock the door. The click of the lock was music to my ears.

I could hear Michael’s faint words, but my blurring vision made it impossible to focus on his face. His voice was a distant hum, a reassuring sound that someone was there.

"Micheal..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Michael’s face came into view, his eyes etched with concern. "Boss, hang in there. I’ve got you..."

I think that was what he was saying.

He reached out, helping me out of the car. I leaned against him, grateful for the support. With Michael’s help, I stumbled into the back seat, every step I took made my head throb even harder, the darkness closing in once more.

As I settled in the back seat, my thoughts drifted to my wife once more.

No, I have to fight this. I can’t succumb to my illness. Not now that Jessica needs me. "Jessica..." I whispered, my voice fading and before I knew it, everything went black.

...

Jessica’s POV.

Leaving Liam’s car had been a relief, or so I thought. But why was I feeling restless? His face kept popping up in my head - the angry look, the vulnerable look, and that last one before I left his car... he had looked sick and exhausted.

I couldn’t understand why that expression haunted me. Liam was a deadbeat, a bastard I wanted to get rid off. But in that moment, I saw something else. Pain.

"Miss, we’re here." The driver’s words slapped me back to reality, severing the lingering thread of thoughts about Liam.

I blinked, taking in my surroundings. The cab had pulled up in front of my adopted parent’s place.

The driver’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. "Shall I let you out here, miss?"

"Yes, thank you," I replied, my voice steady. I scanned his code and paid for my ride, before stepping out.

As I made my way toward the steel fence, I spotted Maddie and her friends walking out the door. The minute she saw me, she froze, her lips parting to form an O shape.

"Maddie," I said softly, breaking the silence.

"Jessica?" she called, probably to be sure she wasn’t mistaken. When I hummed in response, her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. I could sense her friends’ curious glances, but Maddie’s gaze held mine, a mix of shock and uncertainty.

She hesitated, then took a step forward, her friends following closely behind. "You... When did you learn to dress like that?"

Oh, it’s about my outfit. I smiled wryly, feeling a pang of sadness.

I couldn’t blame her, I’ve never owned a expensive outfit, or dressed lavishly. Even while I was married to Liam, I didn’t waste money on extravagant outfits.

It wasn’t because he didn’t give me money. Liam wasn’t emotionally available, but he made sure I didn’t lack material comforts. Every month, he’d deposit a generous amount into my account, expecting me to indulge in the finer things in life.

But I didn’t need any of it. I wasn’t used to living an extravagant lifestyle, and besides, all the money in the world couldn’t fill the void inside me.

What I wanted was him – his love, attention, and time. Things I never got.

"I have eyes, I see people dress like this and I liked it." I said, downplaying the compliment, insult, whatever it was she meant by that.

Maddie rolled her eyes and replied sarcastically. "I thought you dug them out and sold them to buy the outfit."

Her friends chuckled, drawn in by Maddie’s quick wit. But just as one of them was about to speak, Maddie’s expression darkened.

"Why are you laughing?" she snapped, her voice low and even. "What’s funny?"

Her friends exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the sudden tension. One of them hesitated before speaking. "Maddie, we were just –"

Maddie’s glare cut her off. "No, really. Tell me. What’s so hilarious?"

The group fell silent, unsure how to respond. Maddie’s mood had shifted in an instant, and they didn’t want to trigger her further.

Maddie could sometimes be a handful that her friends wanted to avoid, when she was angry, but most times she was sweet with them. But never to me.

I watched the exchange, intrigued. What had triggered Maddie’s sudden anger? When she replied to me savagely, wasn’t it so her friends would praise her for being quick witted?

"Sorry, Maddie, we didn’t mean to make you angry." One of her friends said, shaking her arm slightly.

Maddie’s eyes locked onto mine, her expression softening slightly. "No, it’s fine. Just drop it." She replied to her friend, her voice stern. "And you, Jessica, where– " she paused.

Then, her gaze swept over her friends, a hint of frustration still lingering. "Girls, I don’t feel like going out anymore. You can leave without me. I’ll make it up to you in the future."

The group exchanged disappointed glances, but Maddie’s tone brooked no argument. With a chorus of understanding murmurs, they bid Maddie farewell and dispersed.

As soon as they were gone, Maddie snatched my hand and dragged me toward the house. Her grip was firm, her pace brisk.

I stumbled alongside her, surprised by the sudden turn of events. "Maddie, what’s going on?"

She didn’t respond, her jaw set in determination. We reached the front door, and she pushed it open, pulling me inside.

The door closed behind us, and Maddie finally released my hand. Her eyes blazed with a mix of emotions – frustration, concern, and something else.

"Jessica," she said, her voice low and urgent. "Where did you spend the night? Don’t tell me you returned to Liam without making him pay for what he did."

"I –"

"Don’t even lie about it. You weren’t at Hilda’s place. I. Went there. Better start talking before mom returns." She paused, a short silence followed before she turned her back to me, pacing the room as she continued.

"Well, it’s not as if I care about what you do with your life, I’m just concerned that you’d ruin our reputation, my reputation."

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶