Chapter 17
After giving the dispatcher the details and location, I put my phone on silent and went back to sleep.[]
When I woke up, I saw that Liam had called me over a dozen times and sent me dozens of messages.[]
They started with shock that I had actually called the police, then progressed to angry accusations of me being cold–blooded, caring only about money and not about feelings. Finally, they ended with a desperate plea, asking me why I was doing this to him.]
He had only made a small mistake that anyone could make, he hadn’t actually betrayed me, so why was I being so heartless?[]
Before I could finish reading, his call came through again.[]
I was going to decline it.]
But then I thought, even if I hung up now, he would probably keep bothering me until things were settled.[]
So, I answered.]
His voice was hoarse and a little subdued.[]
“Claire, I’ve thought it over.“[]
“I admit it, you win. I can’t live without you.“[]
“Half the shares are yours. Half my assets, too. Just come back.“]
I raised an eyebrow and glanced at the time.[]
It was the fifth day.
“Sorry, your three days are up.“[]
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“Claire, you-“]
Liam started to say something but broke into a violent coughing fit.[]
After a while, the coughing subsided.]
His voice was raspy, “How did you become like this?“]
I smiled but didn’t say anything[]
He used to be the same way, always docking my bonuses and salary, or giving my projects to Hannah because I had missed his deadlines.]
I was just treating him the way he used to treat me.]
Chapter 17
Turns out, you don’t know how much a needle hurts until it’s sticking in your own skin.[]
He seemed to understand my intention, and finally realized that I wasn’t after his money.[]
He let out a self–deprecating, bitter laugh.[]
“Claire… I don’t even recognize you anymore.“[]
Then he started coughing violently again, his breathing heavy and pained.[]
I was about to ask what was wrong, but I was afraid he would mistake it for concern.[]
After a moment, I decided not to say anything.[]
But as if he knew what I was thinking, he muttered to himself.[]
“I have a fever.“]
“Claire, I’m at our old house. I bought it back a little while ago.“]
“I wanted to know… when you had a fever and I wasn’t there… did you feel as miserable as I do right now?“[]
I didn’t answer. He continued, “The drawings you made for me… they’re all gone. I’ve looked everywhere in the house and I can’t find them “[]
“Claire, did you put them away somewhere?“[]
“Or… did you throw them out?“]
He babbled on like a child.]
His voice trembled.]
And his tone grew more and more pitiful.[]
I could hear rustling on the other end, as if he were rummaging through things.
I sighed. “I burned them all.“]
Oய
