…
The Next Morning.
As Liam ate breakfast in the dining room, the atmosphere was stale and somehow still as if something was amiss.
He glanced at the empty chair across from him now and then, his thoughts wiring back to last night.
Where was that crazy woman?
Was she still inside the bedroom shedding crocodile tears?
Spending the whole night in the study room was enough to teach her a lesson.
At least, she'd lost the chance of him touching her this month. She would never bring up that ridiculous topic again.
Yet, halfway through eating, Liam's indifference turned into a small frown that formed on his face, his eyes darting upstairs.
Did she think that starving herself would make him give in and grant her wish?
How silly.
Liam summoned the maid. “Why isn't Mrs. Nash coming down? Go and get her.”
But the maid lingered, her fearful gaze avoiding his eyes.
With a hesitant look on her face, she extended a gift box to him. “Actually… M-Mr, Nash. Mrs. Nash left the house an hour ago. She left this box for you.”
Liam's frown deepened.
What was that woman up to?
He took the box impatiently, and his eyes caught the tag on it.
“3rd Anniversary Gift”
“How childish.” The corner of his lips twitched mockingly, a subtle smile forming.
Liam tore the wraps around the box, wondering if this was the present she insisted on giving him last night.
Once he revealed the content of the box, however, he narrowed his eyes at the white document with the word “Divorce Agreement!” boldly written at the top.
Liam smashed his fist on the table and shot to his feet.
He snatched the papers.
Divorce!
Was she serious last night?
His nerves rippling with rage, he flipped through the papers, his eyes widening more seeing her signatures on each section.
[Reason for Divorce: Disharmony in sex!]
His anger hit the ceiling when he saw that. The words sounded more like he didn't satisfy her enough in bed.
How dare she mock him in such a demeaning manner?
She was becoming bold, huh?
Dramatic!
Liam grabbed his phone, clutching it. His breathing ragged, he dialed her number.
“Where the hell are you!!!”
“Just sign the divorce, William Nash.” Her calm voice was devoid of the desperation from last night. “Then you're free to have kids with any woman you want.”
She hung up instantly, leaving him in a daze.
For several minutes, Liam stood in the same spot, staring at the papers, not believing his eyes.
Was she really serious?
Then a thought came to his mind and he snickered.
After trying all possible means, she resorted to this silly trick to get his attention.
That crazy woman never ran out of ideas.
Well, an hour was enough for her to return to her senses.
She'd soon beg him and claim it was a joke.
With that in mind, Liam got ready and left for his company.
In the afternoon, he found himself thinking about her tantrum, unable to finish any work.
So he took his phone and called the house's telephone, knowing she'd answer it.
But instead of Haley, the maid answered the phone. “Mr. Nash, is there something you need?”
“Where's Haley?” Liam gritted out.
“Uhm, Mr. Nash… Mrs. Nash hasn't come back,” the maid answered with a sigh.
Liam cut the call brutally!
Haley! What was she still doing outside? Did she go to his Grandmother to complain about him?
When evening approached, Liam dialed the house's telephone again, ready to lash at her.
Yet, it was the maid who answered the phone again. “Mr. Nash, Mrs. Nash didn't return.” She sounded worried. “She has never left the house for this long.”
Liam cut the call.
He tugged at his necktie and began pacing in his office, his emotion a mix of anger and disbelief.
Haley was going too far.
She'd better end this prank before he extended her punishment.
While he was walking back and forth, his assistant, Joye, came in with some documents. “Mr. Nash, these are from the HR-”
“Check the money on Haley's card. Is there any change from yesterday?” Liam interrupted him, his voice sounding desperate.
Damnit! Was he desperate?
He just wanted to find more reasons to punish that woman in case she spent his money recklessly.
“Right away, Mr. Nash!”
Joye returned later, the look of horror on his face making Liam wonder if someone died on his way back.
“Mr. Nash- Mr. Nash, you won't believe this!” Joye barged into the office.
Liam was impatient. “What is it!? And where's the task I gave you?”
Joye opened his mouth wide, looking as if he'd seen a ghost. “It turns out Mrs. Nash has never touched a single penny on her card! Isn't that strange?”
That was impossible.
It was hard to believe.
If Haley had never spent a single penny on his card, where did she get all the money she used to buy meaningless gifts for him?
Those expensive wristwatches, the cufflinks made of gold, the expensive neckties and designer shoes… and also the expensive perfumes she'd stacked inside his closet, not to mention the limited edition sports car she got him as a birthday gift two months ago!
Weren't they all bought with his money?
Did she swindle them from his Grandmother?
After all, she'd always pretended to be nice to his clueless Grandmother in order to get close to him.
“Erm, Mr. Nash…” Joye said, snapping him from his thoughts. His assistant scratched his head nervously, giving him a worried look. “You look pale and you're sweating… is everything alright?”
Liam threw him a glare. “It's nothing.”
“Uhm, but, Mr. Nash, if you feel sick, I can call the Madam as always,” Joye suggested. “By the way, isn't she an amazing woman? All women out there would lavish your money, but she-”
“Go away.” Liam chased the noisy guy out.
For the first time, he was a bit flustered. But as he sat on his chair, he whispered to himself, “Well, she's a nobody without me. She'll soon run back and apologize.”
…~ One Year Later ~When others saw the bright sun of the morning, she could only see the orange sun, gradually fading, giving way to darkness. When there was a storm, people looked forward to the peace and calmness after it, while she only foresaw many more storms looming ahead. She should have been more pessimistic than this,Then she could have at least saved one life. If she hadn't been a coward, hoping that crazy guy would have a little mercy, she wouldn't have fallen for his lies. She'd take the gunshot instead.But no,She'd trusted him… that was her biggest mistake.Daryl’s cruelty had been beyond saving. Helping him lure Liam to the occasion was her biggest regret. Maybe… just maybe- if she'd been brave enough, Liam wouldn't have-“Mrs. Nash, sorry to interrupt you!” The secretary barged into the office, snapping her out of her thoughts. “The Stakeholders' meeting will commence in the next three minutes. Do you need my help getting ready?”Haley sighed. Right, the meeti
What gibberish was he sputtering?How did he even manage to sneak into the Villa?How did he manage to overpower the bodyguards?After Daryl’s last words, he hung up, leaving Liam wondering what the hell that crazy boy was up to again.He mustn't be serious about marrying Haley. Apart from being illegal, it didn't make any sense. What stupid judge would get them married without the consent of one party?Daryl was only trying to irritate him.“Sir, is he telling the truth?” Joye who had probably heard the conversation because Daryl's voice was too loud, blinked rapidly. “Is he going to get married to Madam?”Liam chuckled.That was impossible.Haley would not even agree. “I think this is serious, Sir…” Joye exclaimed. “Your brother is up to no good. Let's go and see.”Of course, Liam was going there.If it meant finding that crazy boy there, why wouldn't he go?Daryl was playing with fire.Kidnapping Haley from the Villa was already a gruesome offense? On his command, the driver tu
…Was this it?Was this the end of the family's reputation? The same questions kept resonating in Liam's mind all day. The company's stocks were crumbling again,Some of the shareholders were pulling out their investments,And the employees were all in a frenzy.Watching the Nash Empire crumble right before his eyes was something he never dreamt about.He'd never for once seen this happening in any of his nightmares.Liam thought he'd left no loose ends. Every source the news would get leaked out, he'd already blocked it.How then did his brother lay his hands on this crucial secret? How the hell did Daryl even escape from the police custody? “He shouldn't have left the city yet, Mr. Nash…” The Police Chief assured him, “We are going to find him before the day ends.”The day was already ending.All Liam wanted was for all this to be over. He'd left the Villa without informing Haley. He could only imagine her anxiety at the moment. Joye reported to him that she called and she d
Haley waited at the dining table patiently, her gaze traveling to the doorway now and then. Liam and his assistant must be discussing something important, probably related to work. Well, was it so secretive that they had to discuss it outside?She glanced at the clock.Thirty minutes later, they weren't back yet. Now her mind was troubled.What was taking them so long?What were they even discussing?Liam didn't even wear proper clothing, wouldn't he catch a cold outside? Tapping her fingers impatiently on the desk, Haley stood up. She headed outside the building, looking forward to seeing Liam and his assistant.To her surprise, they weren't there.Even the assistant’s car was gone if he came with any.What was happening?Did they sneak out of the Villa?If not, how could she not have heard any sound?To confirm her thoughts, Haley strode to the security man. “It's too early and cold, Madam… what are you doing outside?” Was the first thing the concerned young man asked. Haley
That explained it all. Was she just lucky or were the heavens by her side? Staring into his eyes, she saw nothing but genuine affection.The affection she'd been searching for ever since she returned. Her instincts never lied, and the feeling was strong.Liam loved her.He never hated her.He was only mad because of the misunderstanding.“But you gave me a hard time, huh.” Haley poked at his chest, pouting. However, Liam laughed lightheartedly, taking her wrists in his hands. “Believe me, I didn't.”Right.He'd planned to do worse. If she hadn't summoned the courage, speaking like a crazy person last night, convinced she was speaking to the air, he'd still regard her as his enemy.Her craziness paid off, and-“I'm sorry.” Drawing her close by wrapping both arms around her waist, his expression turned sullen. “I shouldn't have treated you that way.”Indeed, she'd been almost broken beyond repair.Amidst the despair, she marveled at where she got the courage to chase him. “If I fo
On entering the living room, however, the woman came to a screeching halt, her eyes popping out of their sockets.Her lips parted like a fish’s, and pointing a trembling finger forward, she shouted, “You, this silly girl! Why're you with my son!?”Haley's heart dropped to her stomach.Damnit!For some reason, this woman hated her to the core. Even when she visited the mansion, the woman had hollered at and hit her. Wondering what she did wrong, she'd tried to apologize which only intensified her cruel actions towards her. Liam's mother didn't like her.Did she offend her in the past? “I thought you were hitting it off with Lisa already!” She faced Liam. “What are you doing with this wayward psychotic girl? Do you want me to die of a heart attack, Son!?”As she scolded Liam, the bodyguards dropped the boxes and left. Instinctively, Haley found herself shrinking behind him, hiding her presence.As if caught red-handed in an offensive act, she trembled on her toes, grabbing his arm