4: Unexpected

Jamel rose to his feet, and turned around to face Liam. My heart began to thump loudly against my chest. Just what I needed. A man who didn't love me, but was super protective, and a man I once loved, who was hell bent on still protecting me.

"Liam. I didn't think you were here. Oh wait, I did see you a few minutes ago with all those women surrounding you. Must be nice right?" He was pushing for a fight. The nails on my fingers dug into my palm as I held my breath in wait for Liam's response.

There was going to be a tussle, and I would end up being on the receiving end of Liam's bile. If only Jamel knew nothing he was doing was of help, he would stop at once.

"It's not my fault the ladies like to rally around me. If you were less hideous, perhaps you'd get your own share of attention." He shrugged. I could see he was fighting hard to keep his cool. But behind those eyes, I knew a demon was struggling to come out. Jamel chuckled dryly.

"Maybe it's just me, but if I had a wife as stunning as Ave, I wouldn't give any other women ideas. It's just sad you don't know the value of what you have." He shook his head, disgust plastered across his face. Liam forced a laugh, stroking a finger on his nose.

"Is she complaining? Maybe we should ask her," He turned to me, and my heart leaped to my mouth.

"Do you have a problem with how I live my life, darling?" He raised a quizzical brow. Even if I did, I couldn't dare say it. Even if every time I saw him flirting openly with other women, I died a little inside, I could never let anyone know. For the sake of my life, I just couldn't.

"No I don't." I forced a smile.

"See? We're a happy couple. You're the one harassing my wife because you lost her. Maybe if you knew the value of what you had, you would still have her." He said, giving him a patronizing smile.

"True, we all make mistakes. I've made mine, and heavily regretted it," He sent me a look through his lashes.

"But notwithstanding, I know what I want now. I warn you Liam Galloway, I won't stop until Avery is back in my arms where she truly belongs." He said with a determination that sent Liam into the cold hands of rage, and had me shuddering with fear.

I watched Liam look around, probably to be certain no one was watching. He didn't want the world to see who Liam was behind that free smile, and boyish charm. When he was satisfied we were way out of earshot, he took one step forward, until he was leveled with Jamel.

"Please d----" He sent me a look that had me instantly press my lip shut. I retreated into my shell, praying to God or anyone at all who cared to listen to stop whatever was to come.

"What gives you the idea Avery will ever be yours? Did she tell you that? Is my little wife planning on running away with you?" He asked, his voice dropping an octave lower.

"If only," Jamel closed the gap between them, not backing out from the unspoken challenge.

"If only she would dump your sorry ass and come with me. I'm not going to give up though. Like I said Liam, I won't stop until she's mine!"

"She'll never be yours!" He pulled his hands back to land a punch. I gasped, jumping to my feet. Thankfully, his manager walked in just before he could do anything crazy. He grabbed a hold of Liam, just as people started to look towards us.

"Smile, and say a few words now." His manager muttered between his teeth. He did as he was told, and everything quickly went back to normal.

"We're leaving right now, Avery." He said, turning around, and walking away. I released the breath I had been holding, and the force had me crouching with my hands clutched to my chest.

"Avery, are you okay?" Jamel was beside me in an instant, stroking my back.

"Don't touch me please. Don't do that." My voice came out a breathless whisper, as my eyes were filled with tears.

"Sorry." He removed his hands, and I rose to my feet.

"You shouldn't have confronted him. You've only made things so much more complicated." I sniffed, trying my hardest to stop the tears from pouring down my face.

"I couldn't help it, Ave. I can't watch him hurt you and do anything. Don't you understand?" He tried to grab my hands, but I stepped away.

"You only made things worse. Just stay away from me please." I hurried past him, almost running out of the room. I was the one with the shame, when he had hurt me.

This had been going on for too long. At first the constant humiliation felt like a hot knife to my throat, now it just hurt for different reasons. Because I was a shadow of myself. I didn't have the strength to do what I was supposed to do. I ran into the open air, just in time to see Liam's car drive out of sight.

The car I had come in followed behind it. I almost dropped to the ground in defeat. I knew where he was driving to right now. To the big house he bought me. Waiting for me to come back so he could throw everything he had done for me in my face. So he could tell me how useless I was, and how I would be dead without him.

"For how long will you continue with this?" A voice in my head whispered. It was a valid question. Liam had left me in this strange place without a means to return home. If I didn't come home on time, I was as good as dead.

Either way, I was damned, I don't even know what to think of myself anymore. But that wasn't the realization that hit me the most. It was how in comparison to other times he had done me dirt, I was a lot more numb to the pain he directly caused. I was more in pain for the disappointment I could see in Jamels eyes. He knew me before all of these. He knew I used to be so much more.

"Oh Avery. What do you do now?" I asked, walking helplessly away from the building. I couldn't go back and ask Jamel for help.

Not just because Liam would kill me, but because the little pride I still had wouldn't let me. If there was one thing that was certain though, I needed to leave. The desperation in the realization had me rooted to a spot. Few seconds passed before I could move again. I knew I would eventually reach this point. I didn't just expect it to be so sudden.

You can't blame me though. Here I was walking along an unknown road, without any cash or means of getting home. I'd probably die first on the road anyway. But if somehow I survived this night, I would never stop until I leave Liam Leon. I was about to cross the road in a daze when I heard the honk of a car behind me. I was going to ignore it until I heard my name.

"Avery!" The familiar voice called.

I gasped when I turned around and saw who it was.