Chapter 8

Liam seemed taken aback by Preston's anger. He let out a couple of awkward laughs and changed the subject.

“Okay, okay. I get it. You're saving yourself for your precious Sylvia. But seriously, this is the last time you're getting revenge on Tanya, right? You're telling her everything in three days?”

“Yeah.”

Preston's voice returned to its usual cold indifference.

“The divorce papers have been ready for ages. In three days, I'll give her the papers and tell her the whole truth. It's time to end this little game.”

“Right.”

Something in Liam's tone changed.

“So before that happens, how about I sleep with her one last time? Consider it a little reward for all the help I've given you. It's the last time anyway.”

“Do whatever you want,” Preston finally replied. “Just don't go overboard.”

“Relax. I know what I'm doing.”

There was unmistakable pleasure in Liam's voice.

Footsteps followed. Someone seemed to be leaving.

Then the hospital room fell silent again.

But to Tanya, their conversation was even more suffocating than the silence.

Every word she'd heard felt like a poisoned needle driven deep into her heart.

After another two days in the hospital, the injuries to her arm had stabilized enough for her to recover at home.

Preston came to pick her up personally.

He fussed over her the entire way and carefully brought her home.

That evening, he helped her take her medication as usual, watched her settle into bed, and tucked the blankets around her.

“Get some rest,” he said gently. “I'm going to take a shower. I'll be back in a little while.”

The lights went out.

The bedroom door closed softly.

Tanya lay awake in the darkness.

The pain in her body was nothing compared to the cold dread gripping her heart.

She knew Liam's promised “last time” would probably be tonight.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before the bedroom door opened again, ever so quietly.

A shadow slipped inside and approached the bed without making a sound.

Then Tanya felt someone climb in beside her.

Every muscle in her body went rigid.

Her heart hammered wildly, but she kept her eyes tightly shut and forced herself to breathe evenly.

She had to pretend she was asleep.

The mattress dipped beside her.

A warm body pressed close.

One arm slipped around her waist with practiced ease, while the other hand began wandering over her body.

Calloused fingertips brushed against the skin beneath her pajamas, making her shudder involuntarily.

Hot breath brushed her ear.

There was a faint smell of tobacco.

Liam's familiar scent.

Nothing like Preston's.

Lips lowered toward her neck.

Just before they touched her, Tanya flinched as though she'd been disturbed in her sleep.

“Don't... Preston...”

Her voice was thick with sleep and weakness.

“I got my period today. I don't feel good.”

The hand moving over her body stopped immediately.

The man holding her went noticeably stiff.

Then a voice came from the darkness.

It was deliberately lowered, imitating Preston's gentle tone, but Tanya could still hear Liam's distinctive huskiness and a faint trace of frustration.

“Your period? Why didn't you tell me sooner?”

He paused, clearly reluctant to give up.

His arm tightened slightly around her, and his lips brushed against the top of her head.

“All right, then. Get some rest tonight. We can do it when you're feeling better.”

When she was feeling better?

There wouldn't be another time.

Not ever.

“Mm.”

Tanya gave the faintest response, sounding utterly exhausted.

Liam didn't try to force things any further.

But he didn't leave, either.

He kept her wrapped tightly in his arms.

His lips lingered over her forehead, cheeks, and neck, kissing and nipping at her skin as his breathing grew heavier.

His other hand continued touching her through the thin fabric of her pajamas, squeezing and caressing her with a possessive familiarity that made her skin crawl.

Tanya gritted her teeth.

Over and over, she reminded herself not to react.

She couldn't let him know she'd discovered the truth.

Otherwise, she might never get away.

The following morning, Tanya felt Liam climb out of bed.

He walked over to the window and apparently lit a cigarette.

After taking a long drag, he pulled out his phone and made a call.

“Tanya got her period. You'll have to wait a little longer,” Liam said. “Once it's over, I'll sleep with her one last time. Then you can tell her the truth.”

The person on the other end said something.

Liam laughed.

“Seriously, Preston, why don't you try her yourself? I guarantee she's nothing like that cold, untouchable woman you see during the day.”

“No.”

Preston's voice came clearly through the phone.

Even through the faint electronic distortion, Tanya could hear the undisguised coldness and revulsion in it.

“The thought disgusts me.”

Then he continued.

“It's morning. Get out of there before she notices anything. I won't be coming home for the next few days anyway. I'll spend some time with Sylvia.”

His voice remained perfectly calm.

“Once Tanya's period is over in a week, sleep with her one last time. Then tell me when you're doing it. I'll walk in on you at just the right moment.”

He paused.

“And we'll finally put an end to everything.”

“Got it.”

Liam's voice returned to its usual careless tone.

“Then you go enjoy your time with your precious Sylvia. Leave Tanya to me.”

The call ended.

Liam stood by the window for a while.

Even with her eyes closed, Tanya could sense his gaze lingering on her.

Then she heard him pick up his jacket and leave the room.

Only when his footsteps had completely faded downstairs and the house had fallen silent again did Tanya's eyes fly open.

She gasped for air, as though she'd just struggled to the surface after nearly drowning.

Tears spilled down her cheeks without warning, soaking her pillow within moments.

But she couldn't make a sound.

Her entire body shook with silent sobs.

Just then, her phone vibrated on the nightstand.

The screen lit up.