3
No one expected Liam’s forceful intervention. The living room fell into an uneasy silence. Despite his unwavering defense of me, my heart remained untouched, frozen beneath the weight of his betrayal.
Liam’s mother finally conceded. “Fine, let’s eat.”
Dinner was tense, the only sounds the clinking of silverware and the occasional pointed snort from Liam’s mother. My grip on my fork tightened, bracing for the inevitable lecture.
Sure enough, she put down her fork.“We won’t interfere, but you need to give us grandchildren. You can’t cut off the Sterling family line!”
Liam slammed his fork down.“I’ve told you, Serenity hates pain, and I won’t subject her to that. I’d rather remain childless than see her suffer.”
His parents were speechless. Just as another argument was brewing, I spoke.
“In two weeks, Mom, Dad, you’ll have a grandchild.”
The words hung in the air. Everyone turned to me, stunned.
“Serenity?” Liam grasped my hand. “We agreed not to have children. Don’t sacrifice yourself for me.”
I met his gaze with a tight–lipped smile. His parents would have their grandchild, just not mine. I’d be gone in two weeks, and judging by how eager Liam was to be with Chloe, he’d have no trouble fulfilling their wish.
“It’s their wish,” I said gently. They deserve to be happy.”
Liam felt a knot of unease. My obedience felt… off.
His parents, however, beamed with satisfaction. That’s my girl!” his mother declared, the tension in her face finally softening.
Liam still felt something was wrong. He was about to press further when his phone vibrated. He glanced at it, his expression changing.
I saw it a text from Chloe.
Liam, a guy just asked for my number. Should I give it to him?
I silently counted. One. Two. Three…
On the third second, Liam stood. “Excuse me, Serenity. Something came up at the office. I’ll pick you up later.”
He left without a word, not even grabbing his jacket.
The moment he was gone, his parents unleashed their venom.
“You’ve been married for years and still haven’t given us a grandchild! Are you even trying?!”
“You come from nothing, your parents are dead. If Liam didn’t want you, you’d be nowhere. We made a terrible mistake marrying you into this family.”
“Don’t you dare cry! Don’t you even think about complaining to Liam! Every wife deals with this, and our son works so hard, don’t bother him with your petry problems!”
I endured five hours of relentless criticism.
Liam finally returned in the evening. As we drove home, I asked, “Is everything settled at the office?”
He nodded, his voice gentle. All taken care of.”
He tapped his index finger against the steering wheel–a subtle sign of good mood.
Noticing my silence, he added, “My parents didn’t give you a hard time, did they?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but my gaze caught on something on the floor of the passenger seat: a pair of ripped polka–dot stockings.
He’d gone to Chloe. And they’d… there?
For seven years, I’d been conservative in our intimacy. I’d even nervously asked him if he wanted to try new things.
He’d laughed, holding me close, kissing me.“Sweetheart, I only want you. Even if you were wearing rags, I’d still be smitten. Don’t force yourself, my love.”
The man who’d professed such pure devotion was now so casual with another woman.
My eyes welled. “What do you think?”
Liam, oblivious, thought my tears were from my parents‘ tirade. He slammed on the brakes, hugging me tightly.“I’m sorry, Serenity. I shouldn’t have left
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you. I promise it won’t happen again.”
His embrace felt suffocating. I pushed him away.
“Just drive.”
There was no future, anyway.
