Chapter 19
Liam stood in front of the car, wearing a trench coat and a mask. He looked much more haggard than before, with faint dark circles under his eyes.[]
I paused for a moment, then continued walking toward him.[]
“What are you doing here?“]
I wasn’t surprised that he had found me.]
His network wasn’t small. It wouldn’t take him much effort to find something out.[]
It was just that before, he hadn’t bothered to spend that effort on me.]
“I need to talk to you.“]
His voice was gravelly.[]
As if he still wasn’t well.]]
“Let’s talk in the car. I heard you bought a new house. I’ll take a look and give you my opinion.“[]
“No, thanks. We can talk right here.“[]
I declined his offer.[]
He seemed to have expected my answer. He didn’t lose his temper this time, but his eyes held a hint of sadness as he handed me a file.
“This is for you. Compensation.“]
“I admit that I’ve owed you a lot over the past ten years. You’ve given so much to the company and to repaid you for it,”
II
our home, and I haven’t
“Take this contract. Consider it my compensation for the past ten years. From now on, I won’t bother you anymore.“]
I paused, then took the file from him.[]
It detailed the compensation for all the fines he had imposed on me, the projects he had taken from me, and the bonuses he had withheld, all doubled.]
It even included things he felt he owed me for over the past ten years.]]
Finally, there was a bank card. The PIN was written on the card: my birthday.]
I looked at him suspiciously, unsure if this was a new tactic or if he had truly given up.]
“I said I wouldn’t bother you, and I mean it.“]
Chapter 19
As if he knew what I was thinking, Liam replied calmly, “I’ve thought it through. It’s time for me to move on.“[]
“Good.”
I nodded.
I didn’t refuse. I took the file and the card.[]
This was what I was owed.]]
L
And besides, I knew that only by accepting it would Liam truly understand that we were over for good.[]
Sure enough, as I took it, I saw a flicker of loss in Liam’s eyes.]]
But it was quickly replaced by relief.]]
So… can I see your new house?“]
“You know.I haven’t been doing well since you left. I want to see how you’re doing without me.“[]
He explained.
I knew it was an excuse, just his obsession.
But I also knew his personality.[]
When he decided to do something, he had to see it through, or he would keep pestering me.[]
I didn’t want any more complications. And since we might never see each other again, it was better to have a clean break.
“Let’s go.”
I walked toward his car
But after a few steps, Liam hurried in front of me and guided me in another direction. “I’ll drive you. You just hurt your leg few days ago. You shouldn’t be driving.“[]
I didn’t argue.]
But I was surprised that he even knew I had been injured.[]
If this had happened before, I would have been happy. But we couldn’t go back to the past.
Regret after the fact is worthless.]
I didn’t say anything and followed Liam to his car.
a
I opened the passenger door. Just as I was about to get in, I saw a small doll in the passenger seat, buckled in securely with a seatbelt. It had a tag on it that read [Hannah].[]
