When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 38: The condition

Jessica’s POV.

My brows furrowed in skepticism. "You should rather be telling me what you’re doing here, in a disguise at that," I retorted, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Liam paused, his expression turning serious. "Well, I heard he got into a terrific accident," he began. "Let’s give credit to his enemies for a second. If his enemies truly did that, then, as his supposed girlfriend, you’re not safe. They’ll come for you too."

Kristen’s accident had been kept under wraps, yet Liam already knew about it. His choice of words - "terrific" - sent a chill through me. It sounded almost celebratory.

"How did you know about Kristen’s accident?" I asked, my voice taking a sharp edge. Liam hesitated before responding.

"It wasn’t exactly a secret," he said finally. "Don’t you think he did a bad job hiding his accident? Why would he go to City Hospital when there are better hospitals he could have chosen?" Liam’s eyes narrowed. "Someone saw him and posted it online. Before it was taken down, I saw it. And I’m sure many others saw it too."

His words sent a surge of unease through me. If Kristen’s accident was no longer private, then, would his enemies go after him again?

"Which is why you can’t stay here anymore," Liam concluded, his tone firm.

I studied Liam’s face, searching for any hidden motives. His expression was resolute, but I knew him a bit to recognize the underlying tension. What wasn’t he telling me?

"Do you perhaps have a hand in his accident? Did you do that to him to prove a point, Liam?" I suddenly blurted out, my suspicions spilling forth.

Liam’s expression darkened, his eyebrows furrowing into a scowl. He stared at me with a glare, his eyes flashing with indignation.

"Why would I do that? He’s my least favorite person, but that’s not enough to turn me into a murderer," Liam snapped, his voice low and menacing. "I’d rather take away what you see in him than kill him. I’m not a murder, unlike that bastard."

"But that doesn’t answer my question," I pressed, my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside. "Did you have anything to do with his accident?"

Liam’s glare lingered, but he replied, "No, Jessica. I didn’t. But I won’t lose sleep if someone else did."

His words made my heart race. The venom in his tone was unmistakable. I realized that Liam’s dislike for Kristen went far deeper than I had ever imagined

He sighed and walked up to me. This time, I didn’t step back. Standing before me, he held my shoulders. "I don’t know how to make it up to you, but I know one thing - Kristen is not the right man for you."

His fingers brushed against my lower lip, sending a flutter through me. He sighed again, his breath whispering against my skin. "Why would you cry so much over a man like that? He doesn’t deserve your tears."

My emotions boiled over, and I suddenly snapped, throwing his hands off my shoulders. "And you did?" I demanded, my voice trembling. "I shed tears for you too, did you deserve my tears? What right do you have to stand on moral ground to tell me who deserves and doesn’t deserve my tears?"

My outburst left Liam stunned. His lips parted, then closed, opening and closing again like a fish out of water. He seemed lost for words, his eyes searching mine for answers.

The tension between us hung heavy, like a challenge. I stood my ground, daring him to respond, to justify his own actions. The silence stretched out, a palpable reminder of the unresolved issues between us.

Suddenly, without warning, Liam dropped to his knees with a resounding "Thud." The sound made my heart skip a beat. I instinctively lurched forward to check on him, but restrained myself at the last minute.

Liam’s eyes locked onto mine, his gaze pleading. "I’m sorry, Jessica," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "I was an asshole. I was stupid, and a coward. Please, forgive me."

The sincerity in his apology washed over me like a wave. I felt the weight of his words, the depth of his regret. My resolve began to crumble, the walls I’d built around my heart trembling.

For a moment, time stood still. The only sound was Liam’s ragged breathing, the only movement the faint trembling of his lips. I searched his face, seeking any sign of insincerity, but found none.

"I have no excuse for how I treated you," Liam said, his voice laced with remorse. "But I promise, it will never happen again."

He paused, his eyes burning with conviction. "I swear to you, Jessica, I’ve learned from my mistakes. I’ll do everything in my power to regain your trust, to make it right between us."

I lowered my gaze, avoiding his. What was left of the wall I erected had shattered against my will.

I felt him stand up and close the distended between up. "Look at me," he whispered, his hands grasping for mine. "Really look at me, Jessica. Do you see the man who hurt you, or do you see the man who loves you?"

I stared at him like he asked. I couldn’t see the trace of the man who hurt me, the man who cheated on me and shattered my heart. Instead, I saw the man I wished I had married.

Even so, I wasn’t ready to put everything behind me and pretend like nothing happened. If he genuinely wanted me, he should win me back, not by mere words.

"Prove that you deserve me, Liam," I said, my voice firm but laced with vulnerability. "I fought for your heart and attention for three years, exhausting everything I had. If you truly want me, make me love you again."

Liam’s eyes locked onto mine, a spark of determination igniting within them.

"One year," I continued, my terms clear. "If you can’t make me love you in one year, you’re signing those divorce papers and setting me free."

Liam clenched his jaw, I could hear his knuckles cracking.

"And we’re going to sign a contract," I pressed on, protecting myself from future heartache. "So if you fail, you don’t make the divorce procedure difficult for me again."

The air was thick with tension as Liam nodded, his movements deliberate. "I accept your terms," he said, his voice low and resolute. "I’ll do whatever it takes to win you back, Jessica. I promise."

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