It was as if the weather was mourning with us–the sky darkened, heavy with the promise of rain.
I reached down to pick Rylie up, but she shook her head stepping back slightly.
Daddy Lam. I mean, Uncle_“She sighed, struggling with her words
Ich my heart stop
Rylie but her lip glancing at Ryker, who called her name. I mean, Liam said I’m already a big girl and that it might hurt you if you carry met
“Let’s go. Mommy. We can just hold your hands” Ryker said, holding my hand!
1 was about to take Rylie’s hand when her gare landed on the tall figur standing a few feet away
Her eyes lit up, and she took a small step forward, almost like she was about to run to him–but Ryker grabbed her wrist before she could.
“Rylie.no.” Ryker said, shaking his head.
Rylic looked up at mg. her eyes pleading, silently asking for permission to go to Liam
But I tightened my grip on her hand and gently urged, “Let’s go, Rylie. Aren’t you excited to go to Daddy Gavin’s houser
She nodded, but her eyes wandered to Lum
“Rylie
“Why can’t I go to Liam anymore. Mommy! Why did you fight him? Is he really a bad man like Ryker said?”
“He is Mommy wouldn’t hurt him if he wasn’t. Let’s just go, Rylic.”
Rylie shook her head, her gaze still fixed on Liam, who was already approaching us. “He doesn’t look bad. He even looks sad, Ryker”
Gavin stepped forward before Liam could get too close, positioning himself between us
men in black suits formed around Liam, as silent warning.
As if on cur, five men
*Mommy what’s happening? Are they going to hurt us? Rylie asked, her voice laced with fear.
Ryker clung tightly to my waist.
“No, sweetheart.” Liam answered, his voice soft. I just want to talk to your mommy. Then he looked at his men. “Stand down.”
“Mr. Anderson,” Gavin said firmly. “Mia and the kids need to rest. She can’t talk to you right now!
Liam’s eyes darkened as he turned to Gavin, his jaw tightening like he was barely restraining himself. “Just five minutes. Mia. Please
Iexhaled sharply. “Gavin, take the kids to the car. This won’t take long
Gavin beutated, his eyes locking onto mine. “Are you sure?
1 nodded. “This will be the last time
He shook his head, unconvinced that this would be the last time Liam Anderson tried to talk to me,
“But, Mommy-
“Go with Uncle Ryker,” I cut
I cut him off, ruffling his hair. “Wait for Mommy there
Gavin lifted Kylie into his arms. I watched as she slowly waved at Liam
Liam stepped forward, almost like he wanted to reach out for her, but I moved, blocking Hylie’s view.
“Are you really planning to scare my kid? Do you always have to create a scener” My gaze flicked to the lingering guests nearby, some of whom were now openly watching us
“I just wanted to talk to you. Where an
are you going now?”
Chapter 69
“That’s none of youır business”
Liam took a slow step closer, his eyes searching mine. “Mia, please. I’m not here to fight with you. Just talk to me.
“Even if I don’t tell you where we’re going. I’m sure you’ll find out yourself. You followed us here, after all
“I just wanted to make sure you and the kids are safe.”
“We are safe,” I said, my voice firm. “We don’t need you. I can take care of myself and my
kids.”
“I’m not saying you can’t take care of yourself. But this isn’t just about you, Mia. It’s alsous Rylie and Ryker. You might not want my help, but they still need my protection”
Cavin
can protect us
Liam sighed. “Mia. I’m not saying Gavin isn’t capable. But you and I both know he doesn’t have
have the
Kame
ne resources I do. I can make sure you’re
sale.
1 let out a bitter laugh. “Safe Protection! The Winslows have been protecting me until you showed up. You’re the threat here, Liam. You’re the one putting us in danger. There’s no such thing as safety when it comes to you”
Lians ran a frustrated hand through his hair. I know I f*cking admit that. But that man who came to you
My hands started shaking, and I clenched them together to steady myself. “What! You still haven’t caught him?” My voice rose slightly. “Is he connected to the bomb incident!”
Liam’s jaw clenched. “Yes”
“See!! You’re the one with all the power and all the resources you keep talking about. And yet, he’s still out there. You couldn’t even catch him, Liam. And now, you’re standing here, acting like you can protect me! Protect us!
I shook my head, anger and frustration rising in my chest. “Don’t kid yourself, Liam. If you were as powerful as you claim to be, that man wouldn’t have been able to come near me in the first place.”
I let out a deep, shaky breath. “No… if you had never come into my life in the first place, I would have never met that man”
“Im sorry,” he said.
1 let out a hollow laugh, shaking my head. “Sorry? If that sorry could bring back everything I’ve lost.. if your sorry could erase the pain and suffering I’ve endured, then maybe just maybe–I could forgive you” I took a shaky breath. “But we both know that won’t happen. Because sorry doesn’t fix anything. It doesn’t undo the past. Sorry is just a word people use when it’s too late–when the damage is already done. And yours! It means nothing to me.”
Liam’s jaw tightened. I could see it in his eyes regret, pain, guilt, the emotions refused to acknowledge.
“I say it again, Liam. Leave us alone”
I turned my back to him, deady to walk away, but his hand caught my
wrist.
ist tell me what kean do, he said, his voice low, almost desperate. “I won’t ask for forgiveness. I know I don’t deserve that. I just want to protect you the right way this time.”
1 rummed, yanking my wrist free. “Don’t talk as if you ever tried to protect me before. You didn’t. And now you’re asking me what you can do?”
I took a step back. “If you really want to do something for me- for my kids–then stay away. That’s the only protection we need from you”
left to fight for
Liam didn’t say anything, though he looked like he wanted to say something and fight for something. But what was there left to
I turned away, not wanting any second with him.
I reached the car, my heart pounding against my ribs. When I opened the door, Rylie looked up at me with those innocent eyes, eyes too much like
“Mommy” she whispered “You’re crying”
I forced a smile, wiping my cheek. I hadn’t even realized. “It’s just the wind, sweetheart
But as I slid into the seat, Gavin started the car, and we drove away from the cemetery, the past crashed over me
Memories I had buried. Memories I had fought to forget
