All Chapters of THE WIDOW WHO NEVER WAS: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

LIAM'S POVThe knock came again this time around and it was sharper, impatient, louder this time.Alira’s eyes widened.“Hide.” I whispered urgently.“Liam….”“Now, Alira!”She hesitated for a heartbeat before rushing into the hallway. I waited until I heard the quiet click of the guest room door before exhaling and forcing myself to look calm.I straightened my shirt, ran a hand through my hair, and opened the door.And there he was.Alec.He looked different…different in a sense that he looked angry, restless, his suit slightly wrinkled like he hadn’t slept all night. Rain clung to his shoulders, and his expression screamed frustration.“Liam,” he said, brushing past me before I could respond. “We need to talk.”I shut the door slowly, watching him pace around my living room. His eyes darted across the place, assessing everything, restless like a man searching for something.“What brings you here at this hour?” I asked coolly.He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s Alira,” he sa

ALIRA'S POV The rain had slowed by the time I left Liam’s house, turning into a soft mist that clung to my skin. The walk back home felt longer than usual, every step heavy with everything that had happened in the past few hours. Liam’s confession… Alec’s audacity… Betsy’s betrayal… and now, the first true crack in the game.I didn’t feel hurt.I didn’t feel heartbroken.I felt focused.Which was far more dangerous.The moment I reached my apartment, I shut the door behind me and leaned back against it, letting out a long, steady breath. The quiet in the house felt different like it was holding its breath with me, waiting for the storm I was about to unleash.I pulled my phone from my bag and dialed Alec.It rang once.Twice.On the third ring, he picked up.“Hey, sweetheart,” he said, sounding annoyingly relaxed. “Everything okay?” he asked as I smiled.“Alec, where are you?” I asked, my tone soft, sweet..exactly how he liked it.“Oh, uh…I’m on a business trip,” he said quickly….

ALIRA'S POV The morning felt heavier than usual, like the air itself carried secrets I wasn’t ready to face. I tried to stick to my normal routine..cleaning the kitchen, sorting some documents, preparing tea but even the clinking of the spoon against the cup irritated me. My mind kept drifting back to Liam, to his arms around me, to the intensity in his eyes when he promised to help me.I hated how much comfort I found in him.I hated how natural it felt.I hated… the way my heart seemed to lean toward him without my permission.I shook the thought away and focused on wiping the counter when a sharp, familiar knock echoed through the house.Not again.For a moment, I considered pretending not to be home, but I already knew who it was and avoiding him would only make things worse. With a slow breath, I walked to the door and opened it.Alec stood there, smiling like a man who had accomplished something significant. His shirt was wrinkled, he looked tired, but his eyes carried that

ALIRA'S POV For a moment, I couldn’t speak.My mother’s words kept ringing in my head like a terrible echo.All our weddings…On the same day.I opened my mouth to respond, but before my voice could escape, Liam suddenly leaned forward in his chair and spoke first.“With all due respect, ma’am,” he said firmly.“That is not your decision to make.”The room went dead silent.My mother stared at Liam like he had grown horns. “Excuse me?” she asked slowly.Liam didn’t even blink. “As long as you are not the one footing the bills for these weddings,” he continued,“You have no right to decide a date or combine anything.”My mother gasped, scandalized while Betsy jumped to her feet.“Liam!” she snapped. “Don’t talk to my mother like that…Show some respect!”Liam turned his head and looked at her with a coldness I had never seen before.“Watch your words, Betsy,” he said, voice low. “I didn’t disrespect anyone…. I only stated the truth.”“You can’t talk to her like that!” Betsy tried a

ALIRA'S POV I ran back outside as quietly as I could, my heart beating like a drum in my ears. After hearing what Alec just said, I didn’t want him to know I had been standing there, listening, hearing the truth.I reached the front door and quickly stepped outside. I gently closed the door behind me, then took two steps backward and pretended I had just arrived. I fixed my face into the perfect mask…soft, innocent, harmless. Then I raised my hand and knocked politely.My heart still ached, but my expression was calm.Alec opened the door almost immediately, His eyes widened in surprise.“Alira? You… you’re here?” he asked.I forced a small smile. “Yes…Can I come in?”He stepped aside. The moment I walked in, he closed the door behind me and gently held my arm, like he was trying to reassure me.“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”Time to act.I took a slow breath and let my eyes water a little. “I actually came to thank you,” I said softly. “For saving me that day… when we were kid