Chapter 115: Words Of Warning

“What do you mean by *stranded?*” News of this was definitely new to me. Sure, the west-side streets would flood with water this time of year and everything would be annoyingly wet from the stupid rainstorms, but it wasn’t something uncommon.

“Well, you live quite far from your neighbors. On the west-side, buildings are so crowded together that it blocks out the severity of the wind and storms. But out there? Well, you’re at the mercy of lightning and trees.” Liam explained as if it were common knowledge in these parts, but his worry increased in his eyes when he noticed my startled reaction. “Are you alright?”

*Fucking STRANDED?! I could get stranded out there with those crazy fucking twins?!*

“What? Oh, yeah, yup. I’m fan-fucking-tastic…” Not. “So how often does it get that bad?”

“Uh…” Liam stumbled over his words at my sudden shift in demeanor. “It’s not common, but the weather can be unpredictable. But if you don’t want to take the risk, you can always come to stay with me for a while.” he smiled kindly. “I wouldn’t mind.”

I flinched and felt nausea grow deep within my gut when the memory of the last time I slept over at a man’s house. Jackie… I shook my head, reminding myself that I’d only bring trouble into Liam’s life. He seems like a good man… like Gabriel. I don’t want to ruin his life because mine is all kinds of fucked up. “No. I’ll be fine. Just focus on yourself.”

*Yeah, that’s right… what am I freaking out about? I’m not afraid of anything. Nothing can make me falter. I must’ve seriously gone soft to be flipping out about being alone with a couple of fuckers for a couple of weeks or whatever. I’ll make them fear me and remind them who I am. Pregnant or not. Maybe once Mom and Gabriel come back home, shit will be sorted out and I won’t have to deal with their fuckery anymore.*

Liam didn’t look happy about my decision. The deep concern over my well-being never left his eyes. I still didn’t get it. Why be worried about trash like me? I don’t deserve that kind of thing… I’m an awful person. And yet, a smile still cracked his lips. “You’re very kind.”

“Huh?” I blinked a few times as if one of us, or both, just got high as a kite and started blabbing weird shit. “Huh??”

“I understand you don’t want to burden me with your problems. Just know you don’t have to shoulder everything alone. But, the consideration was sweet of you.”

“Wh–” I became more flustered than I’ve ever been in a long time. My face felt as if it were on fire and my body became so jittery that I couldn’t even speak properly. “I– you– no–” *Speak English, motherfucker, speak English!* “I’m not being *kind* and don’t call me fucking *sweet!* I just don’t want to hear you bitch when my problems become yours!”

Liam snorted as he watched me spaz out a cat with the zoomies. He stepped forward and gave me an affectionate embrace. It made my nerves calm and I could feel how much he missed my presence since our last physical interaction. I thought our date ended in stinky, flaming shit, but I guess he thought otherwise. “I’ll talk to you later, then?”

“I…” I hesitated while staring down at the ground, the same ground where Jack’s body was found. How fucking ironic to run into Liam here, a simple man who made me feel all better, as if my problems were just that simple. Once upon a time, Jackie used to do that too… Liam calmed my nerves down enough that I no longer felt the rage towards my mother’s secret. I knew I had to face the truth, and I didn’t want to regret anything. I knew a big part of me would die inside if I didn’t say goodbye to Mom when she went on her honeymoon. Hugging Liam back, I mumbled with gratitude. “Sure. I’ll… talk to you later. See ya.”

When we parted, the concern and kindness in his eyes looked rather disappointed. I wish I had the nerve to give him a different answer. But he was right… I didn’t want to burden him. The memory of Julian’s fury when he saw that I had been texting Liam crossed my mind, and that familiar shiver ran down my spine. If he was that pissed off over text messages, what would he do face-to-face? It’d be like inviting the Grim Reaper into Liam’s life. I couldn’t do that to him.

Besides… there was only one time in my life that I ran from my problem and it was my biggest regret. I vowed to never run away from my problems again, and this situation was no different. Anybody and everybody who gives me hell will get dragged down into my own.

“Bye, Liam.” I gave him one last send-off as I got into my car. He waved at me but didn’t drive off. Instead, he watched me the entire way even as I started up my car and drove off. Surprisingly, his watchful gaze actually felt comforting. When Julian did it, the eyes he glued to my back gave me shivers and a very bad vibe.

I’m not afraid of anything.

*Thanks, Liam…*

With steeled nerves, I returned to the August Mansion. Sure enough, the usually blue skies were already turning gray, foretelling storms on the way. Of course, their honeymoon just had to be around this time… then again, I have my car. I can just drive off whenever I feel like it. Screw the giant puddles and mini rivers.

As I pulled up into the driveway, I could already see my mother pacing back and forth in front of the door while nibbling on her thumbnail. I spotted Gabriel standing next to his fretting wife, trying to calm her down. I felt an invincible hammer titled ‘stupid’ knock me in the back of the head. How could I forget how much of a worrywart she is? I wouldn’t be surprised if I just gave her a mild heart attack.

I didn’t have to hear her gasp to know that it was loud and dramatic as she ran up to my parking car. *Oh, boy…* I mumbled under my breath as I stepped out of the car. When she ran up to me, I was expecting one of the two things; her love or her ire. Unfortunately, it was the latter, and she gave me a blistering slap to the cheek.

“What the hell were you thinking?!” Her scream sounded just like mine minus with a half-sob. “Do you know how worried I was?! I thought you were going to crash!” Mom looked like she had a whirlwind of other things to retort but in the end, she just hugged me tightly, her ire melting back into that worrywart love of hers. “Please, never scare me like that again.”

“Sorry, Mom.” I hugged her back in an attempt to comfort her. *Fuck, I swear some days her temper burns hotter than mine.* Now Gabriel knows where I get it from; his wife was a low-key, secretly short-fused firecracker. But at least she wasn’t a ticking bomb like I was. “I promise I won’t do it again.”

Her hand was a lot gentler this time as she rubbed my bright red, stinging cheek that she had just slapped the nerves dead. “Are you ok?” she looked down at my stomach for a split second, something only I would notice. I knew right away what she was referring to.

“Y–yeah, I’m… I’m ok,” I mumbled while avoiding eye contact. I was trying to ignore my unfortunate condition. Or at least I considered it unfortunate.

“See? I told you that she’d be fine. Sukia is a strong woman. Never forget that, Bella.” Gabriel beamed like the sun when he joined us. The sweet relief in his eyes told me that he had been just as worried as my mother, but stayed positive for her sake.

*He is a good man.*

The extra set of footsteps I heard closing in on us made my mood flip and I hoped it was just the maids, but nope. The extremely feminine voice proved to me otherwise. “You scared us, Sis! Are you alright?”

I shot Grace a hostile glare. I’ll never get used to her calling me that. I could already tell Julian was with her, staring me down with his intense gaze before I even looked at him. Nausea threatened to trigger.

“I have a lot of dresses. Want to go through some together for the party?” Grace’s overly high-spirited demeanor could make me vomit.

“Ah! Good idea, Grace!” Gabriel lightened up. Like daughter, like father. Gabriel was always looking for a way to brighten and gloomy atmosphere.

*Partyyy… riiight… already wanna leave again.*