When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 26: A roller-coaster of trouble

Jessica’s POV

After shopping, I found Kristen waiting outside the mall. I had forgotten about the kiss but sighting him brought back the unpleasant memory. I tried to avoid him but he wouldn’t budge. He apologized for the kiss and pestered me to take his car. I didn’t want to but Hilda wanted to, so we got in.

On the way, Hilda wanted to see the hotel, so we went together, but on arrival, Liam was waiting at the lobby.

My heart sank as Liam’s eyes locked onto mine, a mixture of surprise and annoyance flashing across his face.

"Jessica, what are you doing here?" Liam asked, his tone laced with possessiveness as he walked toward us.

I felt a surge of defensiveness, but before I could respond, Kristen intervened. Not like I had something to say.

"Why can’t she be here?" Kristen’s arm snaked around my waist. With one pull, I slammed into his chest. "She’s my woman."

I felt a chill run down my spine as my heart dropped like a stone into my stomach. That scorching glare I felt earlier at the mall had returned. The lobby was filled with guests and employees, so I couldn’t find that person who hated me so much to the extent they wished their eyes could cut me down.

Liam’s dark chuckle pulled me back from my thoughts. He was standing a few feet away from us.

"Your woman, you say?" He laughed again. The unamusement in his voice was vivid. "Do you have a thing with married women, Kristen?"

The surrounding people gasped. I could hear murmurs and whispers and by now, I wanted nothing but to get away from the lobby. But Kristen’s hold on me tightened, refusing to budge. And I had no choice but to play along.

"Let’s clarify something, Liam," Kristen said, his voice low and even. "Jessica’s signed the divorce. She’s free to make her own choices."

Liam’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "Is that so?" he spat, his voice laced with venom.

"Who said I signed the divorce?" he continued, his words dripping with malice. "Provided I didn’t sign them, she’s still my wife."

The air seemed to thicken as Liam’s words hung, their implications sending a shiver down my spine. Kristen’s grip on me didn’t loosen up a bit.

"What are you on about?" Kristen questioned. I could hear a tinge of laughter in his voice, as if he didn’t put Liam in his eyes.

Liam’s gaze locked onto mine, a glint flashing through them. "I’m saying that until those papers are signed and finalized, Jessica is still mine. Legally, morally, and in every other way that counts."

The lobby’s murmurs grew louder, the crowd sensing the explosive tension between us. I felt trapped, caught in a nightmare from which I couldn’t awaken.

"Stop this, Liam. I told you I don’t want anything to do with you anymore. Sign the divorce and let me go!" I pleaded, mortified.

Kristen’s grip tightened. "She’s made her choice, Liam. It’s not you."

Liam’s eyes flashed with anger, but then, his expression shifted. A cold, calculating smile spread across his face.

"You don’t have a say in that, Kristen," Liam said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Whether you like it or not, Jessica is leaving with me."

Kristen’s face darkened, his jaw clenched. "You think you can just waltz in here and claim her?" he began, his voice taking on an edge that accelerated my heartbeat. "After everything you’ve done to her?"

Kristen’s eyes blazed with intensity. He let me go and stepped forward, inches away from Liam. The two held each other’s gaze and for a moment, I thought fists would begin to fly.

"I don’t care if you don’t sign those papers, Liam," he continued, his words laced with a quiet threat. "When I’m ready for you, you’ll have no choice but to sign them."

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the two men locked eyes, their animosity palpable. I stood frozen, caught in the crossfire of their confrontation. Liam’s smile never wavered, but his eyes flickered with unease that didn’t last past a second.

Taking a closer look at him, he looked paler than when I saw him this morning. But aside from that, the pain he held in the depth of his eyes was gone without a trace.

"You two, enough!" I suddenly thundered. I had no idea what drove me to do that, but I did. The confrontation was suffocating me and I needed to leave as soon as possible. "Liam, get out! Leave!"

His gaze flickered to my side and he held my eyes for what seemed like forever, and for a moment, I thought I saw the pain in the depth of his eyes return. W

But when I blinked, it was gone.

"Fine," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "If that’s how you want to play it... Let’s see how you handle the consequences."

With that, Liam turned and walked away, leaving Kristen and me standing amidst the stunned crowd.

"What just happened?" I whispered, feeling like I’d been caught in a storm.

Kristen returned to my side, holding me close one more time, but his eyes remained fixed on Liam’s retreating figure.

"I think we’re in for a wild ride," he muttered. "Liam is a dangerous man. We have to be careful henceforth." he added.

I stared at his face, feeling sorry for him. It was all my fault. If anything happened to him, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.

"Kristen," I began, my voice laced with concern.

But before I could continue, he cut me off.

"Don’t say it. I don’t want to hear it," Kristen said, his voice firm but laced with emotion.

With that, he turned and walked away from me, leaving me standing alone, feeling helpless and guilty.

"Ahem!" Hilda coughed, dragging me back to her presence. She closed the distance between us and started. "Seems you’re in for a long ride, Jessica. A roller-coaster of trouble between two billionaires."

Hilda was making jokes while I was freezing with fear inside. "You’re impossible." I told her, turned and headed for the exclusive elevator. She followed behind me, chuckling as if she derived joy in my troubles.

But she was right. I was in for a long ride. A roller-coaster of trouble.

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