Chapter 5
The smile vanished from his face the instant he opened the box.
The murmurs of the guests around him couldn’t penetrate his tunnel vision as he stared, transfixed, at what lay inside.
Not a surprise gift, but a tiny fetal remains and signed divorce papers.]
The documents clearly stated: pregnancy at three months, terminated due to car accident.[]
Liam suddenly recalled encountering Miranda outside the hospital that day, clutching this very
Car accident. Miscarriage…]]
A suffocating realization began forming in his mind.
box.
Before the terrible thought could fully take shape, the screen behind him began playing footage of him and Savannah entwined in his office.
Amid the growing whispers, police officers burst into the venue and approached Liam.[]
“Mr. Reynolds, we’ve received a formal complaint alleging sexual harassment of an employee and aiding a hit–and–run driver. You’ll need to come with us to answer some questions.”
Liam’s brow furrowed. Annoyance flickered across his face, but considering the high–profile guests present, he struggled to maintain his composure and dignity.[]
“Officers, there must be some misunderstanding.”
“I’m happy to cooperate with your investigation, but please don’t treat me like a criminal. Today is my eighth wedding anniversary with my wife, and she values this occasion greatly.“[
“Could I join you after the reception concludes? I’d be more than willing to assist then.“]
His reasoning was flawless.]]
But the police weren’t buying it. They mechanically repeated, “Please cooperate with our investigation, sir.“]]
Anger flashed across Liam’s face as he reached for his phone to call a high–ranking cont
But before the call connected, the screen switched to new footage–it was security camera video from near the hospital.]
The footage clearly showed Savannah becoming distracted while chatting with Liam, causing her to hit a pregnant woman.
After the accident, rather than immediately helping the injured woman, they rushed into the hospital creating a scene that delayed critical care for the victim.]
The room erupted in shocked gasps.
“Is this real?”
“I can’t believe it. Mr. Reynolds always seemed like such a devoted husband–how could he cheat? Just goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover.”
“That mistress–isn’t she the new girl who’s always hanging around him? The nerve to parade his mistress right under his wife’s nose! Poor Miranda…“[]
The cacophony of judgmental whispers hammered at Liam’s consciousness like a sledgehammer.[]
His temples throbbed violentiy, his head feeling like it might explode, not just from the embarrassment
More significantly, because he finally recognized the pregnant victim’s face–Miranda.[]
of
facing police questioning.]
She’d been wearing the fertility amulet they’d gotten from the temple together.
Liam remembered placing it around her neck, his expression genuine and hopeful.]
“Marrying you was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me:”
“If we could have a child together, my life would be truly complete–I could die without regrets.”
Later, after being diagnosed with low sperm motility. Liam had gradually abandoned this dream.
However, he never could have imagined that fate would play such a massive, cruel joke on him.]
The person Savannah hit that day was Miranda.]
The pregnant woman who miscarried was Miranda.
For an inconsequential assistant, he had killed his only child and lost the woman he’d loved for eight years.[]
The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. Without realizing it, Liam had bitten through his lower lip.
The physical pain brought him back to some semblance of clarity. With a hoarse voice he answered, “I’ll go with you for questioning, but can you tell me where Miranda is?
The only answer he received was the click of handcuffs locking around his wrists.]
Liam was taken to the police station for questioning.
A man of his status naturally had countless ways to extricate himself from legal trouble.
But everything that had transpired that day not only had he lost face in his social circle, but he had also lost the wife he cherished above all else.
The feeling was worse than death itself.
After returning from the police station, Liam had been down in the dumps. He sat on the balcony, pouring drink after drink, trying to fill the void in his heart.
But drowning sorrows only deepens them.
The moonlight, the empty apartment, the calls that would never be answered… everything magnified his inner torment.
“Jackson, any news about my wife?” he asked his assistant over the phone.
Jackson hesitated before responding.[
“We… we only found her flight information, sir. Her exact location is still unknown…“[]
“Three days! Can’t find her by then? Pack your shit and go!” Liam hurled his phone against the wall.[]
The alcohol had unleashed his normally controlled temperament.[]
As Liam paced anxiously across the balcony, the front door clicked open.
He turned in hopeful expectation, only to find Savannah standing there. She wore a short Dior dress, her slender waist swaying gently as she walked.]]
Her hand came to rest on Liam’s shoulder.
“Mr. Reynolds, drinking won’t solve anything. Tell me what’s troubling you.“[]
History seemed to be repeating itself, time rewinding to that fateful night.
The night that had completely altered his life.[]
