The voices floated through one of the doors in the hallway.Merely whispers, it was difficult to recognize them at first.Liam paused in front of the door, frowning at their words.Leah and his father.What were they discussing?What plan?And why were they in his parents’ room instead of downstairs?As the voices continued speaking, an uneasy feeling settled on Liam's chest.“Don’t worry, Leah…” His father continued. “As long as I'm here, no harm will come to you.”Leah sounded frustrated as she replied, “Well, are you also safe? Aren't people dragging you online?”“It's Haley's fault! I'll make sure she suffers for it!”“Forget about Haley!” Leah scoffed. “There's no way we can frame her this time.”A moment of silence passed by. Then the middle-aged man's heavy sigh resounded through the walls. “You know how much I love you, Leah… Don't think too much about this tiny issue. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you.”“I'm just afraid Vera will see that footage,” Leah murmured, her
…At The Woods Mansion.Sitting on the bed inside her room, Haley stared into nothingness. Her heart was filled with all emotions except happiness,Why?Wasn't she supposed to be happy?Finally, her wish had come true.Finally, she was back home.However,What if her parents found out the real truth someday?What if they realized she lied?What if they found out she only did that to the Nash Family because of her personal feud with them and not because of what happened between them and her family?What if they found out someday that she'd been their daughter-in-law and Liam had been her husband?Haley's gaze wandered across the bedroom, taking in the familiarity, her thoughts returning to the past.Her pictures were no longer here.Neither was her things.They must all be lying under a heap of dust in the storage room.Indeed, her parents must have wiped out all her memories from the mansion.Now that she'd returned…Haley felt like a complete stranger.She couldn't believe she'd bee
Haley's heart skipped a beat.It was too late to turn back.Too late to go back to the car and remain sitting there, wishing he'd disappear.Coming face to face with Liam, she came to a screeching halt, the shock immobilizing her.Liam's expression mirrored the same shock as his eyes widened in astonishment.Then he glanced from her to her parents, suspicion flashing in his eyes.Haley couldn't tell what he was thinking, neither could she tell the assumption in his mind.A sudden look of suspicion flashed in his eyes, followed by betrayal.He stood there, his lips parted but didn't say a word.“Hmph!” Haley's mother scoffed, breaking the momentary silence.Liam was blocking their path, and the woman grabbed Haley's hand. “Let's get out of here.”Without another word, they nudged past him, her mother bumping shoulders with him in fact.But the woman didn't care.Her rage towards Liam was all evident on her face.After what he and his mother did to their family, it was hard to speculate
Haley instantly became the center of attention, all eyes turning in her direction.Her mother's question hit her, chasing away the distraction.Damnit!Everyone gave her confused looks including Lana who'd been the cause of her distraction. In the heat of the moment, she'd forgotten the conversation they were having in the room, even mentioning Liam's surname, Nash.Of course, Haley would never suggest that name to anyone even in her sleep.The last name on her mind, she detested hearing it or someone mentioning it.How could she ever call her nephew that name?Clearing her throat, Haley let out a nervous laughter. She addressed her mother's question, “No, Mum, you heard me wrong. I mean Ash, not Nash… Ash as in Asher.”Haley's lie hit home.Everyone nodded in understanding, the confusion disappearing from their eyes.In fact, her parents looked relieved, and so was her brother.They must have been suspecting the same thing,That she mentioned the Nash Family's name intentionally.
~She paused, her shoulders tensing up. Her back was facing him, and Liam couldn't tell her expression.He could only guess that she looked as shocked as he felt right now.Never did he expect those words to be so easy to say.The words which had been weighing heavily on his heart.He'd thought it'd take decades before he would finally be able to say them.He was sorry!Indeed,He shouldn't have mistreated Haley.Of all people, he shouldn't have distrusted her.The only people whom he trusted happened to deceive him.His mother… his father,And Leah!He shouldn't have pushed Haley away when she so desperately wanted him by her side.Now that she was pushing him away…Liam wasn't himself!He'd never been himself ever since he realized his mistake. He should have protected her from his parents' bullying earlier.If he hadn't turned a blind eye to it from the beginning, it wouldn't have led to this.It wouldn't have led to Haley taking this measure to get his parents off her back.Liam
Liam squeezed the reports, hands trembling, rage coaxing through his nerves.What did his eyes just see?Leah got pregnant earlier than she reported.That filthy woman was pregnant way before they went on that business trip.Yet, she only told him after a few weeks of returning from the trip that she was pregnant, pushing the responsibility onto him. She made him believe he was the only man who had ever touched her.Thinking about it now…Did Liam even touch her?From start to finish, he couldn't remember a single thing.The only thing Liam could remember was waking up next to her.They were both wearing almost nothing, so he concluded something happened between them.Leah affirmed that, crying in grief that he forcefully made a pass at her.So she made it all up!The baby wasn't his.Somehow, Liam was relieved by this revelation. It meant his hands were clean and his morals were intact.However, Who was Leah's baby's real father?It mustn't be his father, right?Desmond and Leah w
…At The City's First Hospital.As Haley left the hospital with her parents, her heart raced wilder than before.Her thoughts were in jeopardy, and so was her calm and cool. Liam!She didn't hear him wrong, did she?That man didn't just apologize to her. 'I'm sorry.’That phrase echoed in Haley's mind, occupying her thoughts.Liam said he was sorry. How unbelievable. Haley must have hit her head somewhere and imagined him saying that. She was too shocked at that spot to even react. If she did, wouldn't she have made a fool out of herself?Liam didn't say that word and she'd imagined it. “What's distracting you, Haley?” Her father's voice, suspicious and confused, broke Haley out of her trance. As they stepped into the parking lot, she almost bumped into the man due to not looking ahead. Haley pulled herself together, feigning calmness. Her parents stared at her suspiciously and she breathed inside, faking a smile. “It's nothing.”After all, the couple had been giving her th
Their plan? He’d been acting all this while? Haley's relief knew no bounds, understanding the meaning behind what he said. Relaxing back on the chair, she let her eyelids close, laughing softly. “You got me there.”“I know, right?” Harry laughed as well. “My acting skill is unrivaled.”Indeed, he was. But he didn't need to be so full of himself. Shaking her head, Haley laughed again. Before she opened her eyes, Harry had resumed driving out of the parking lot. At a slow pace as if stalling time.“You haven't answered my question yet…” He broke the silence, sending her a glance. “What's next?”Their next plan?Haley furrowed her brows. If Harry was indeed acting along then their initial plan would still work. It was just that her parents taking this too seriously made her uncomfortable. What if the couple pushed them both into something they never wanted?“Let's abort it-”“Huh?” Now Harry was the one looking confused, staring at her as if she'd grown two heads.Sighing, Haley
…~ One Year Later ~When others saw the bright sun of the morning, she could only see the orange sun, gradually fading, giving way to darkness. When there was a storm, people looked forward to the peace and calmness after it, while she only foresaw many more storms looming ahead. She should have been more pessimistic than this,Then she could have at least saved one life. If she hadn't been a coward, hoping that crazy guy would have a little mercy, she wouldn't have fallen for his lies. She'd take the gunshot instead.But no,She'd trusted him… that was her biggest mistake.Daryl’s cruelty had been beyond saving. Helping him lure Liam to the occasion was her biggest regret. Maybe… just maybe- if she'd been brave enough, Liam wouldn't have-“Mrs. Nash, sorry to interrupt you!” The secretary barged into the office, snapping her out of her thoughts. “The Stakeholders' meeting will commence in the next three minutes. Do you need my help getting ready?”Haley sighed. Right, the meeti
What gibberish was he sputtering?How did he even manage to sneak into the Villa?How did he manage to overpower the bodyguards?After Daryl’s last words, he hung up, leaving Liam wondering what the hell that crazy boy was up to again.He mustn't be serious about marrying Haley. Apart from being illegal, it didn't make any sense. What stupid judge would get them married without the consent of one party?Daryl was only trying to irritate him.“Sir, is he telling the truth?” Joye who had probably heard the conversation because Daryl's voice was too loud, blinked rapidly. “Is he going to get married to Madam?”Liam chuckled.That was impossible.Haley would not even agree. “I think this is serious, Sir…” Joye exclaimed. “Your brother is up to no good. Let's go and see.”Of course, Liam was going there.If it meant finding that crazy boy there, why wouldn't he go?Daryl was playing with fire.Kidnapping Haley from the Villa was already a gruesome offense? On his command, the driver tu
…Was this it?Was this the end of the family's reputation? The same questions kept resonating in Liam's mind all day. The company's stocks were crumbling again,Some of the shareholders were pulling out their investments,And the employees were all in a frenzy.Watching the Nash Empire crumble right before his eyes was something he never dreamt about.He'd never for once seen this happening in any of his nightmares.Liam thought he'd left no loose ends. Every source the news would get leaked out, he'd already blocked it.How then did his brother lay his hands on this crucial secret? How the hell did Daryl even escape from the police custody? “He shouldn't have left the city yet, Mr. Nash…” The Police Chief assured him, “We are going to find him before the day ends.”The day was already ending.All Liam wanted was for all this to be over. He'd left the Villa without informing Haley. He could only imagine her anxiety at the moment. Joye reported to him that she called and she d
Haley waited at the dining table patiently, her gaze traveling to the doorway now and then. Liam and his assistant must be discussing something important, probably related to work. Well, was it so secretive that they had to discuss it outside?She glanced at the clock.Thirty minutes later, they weren't back yet. Now her mind was troubled.What was taking them so long?What were they even discussing?Liam didn't even wear proper clothing, wouldn't he catch a cold outside? Tapping her fingers impatiently on the desk, Haley stood up. She headed outside the building, looking forward to seeing Liam and his assistant.To her surprise, they weren't there.Even the assistant’s car was gone if he came with any.What was happening?Did they sneak out of the Villa?If not, how could she not have heard any sound?To confirm her thoughts, Haley strode to the security man. “It's too early and cold, Madam… what are you doing outside?” Was the first thing the concerned young man asked. Haley
That explained it all. Was she just lucky or were the heavens by her side? Staring into his eyes, she saw nothing but genuine affection.The affection she'd been searching for ever since she returned. Her instincts never lied, and the feeling was strong.Liam loved her.He never hated her.He was only mad because of the misunderstanding.“But you gave me a hard time, huh.” Haley poked at his chest, pouting. However, Liam laughed lightheartedly, taking her wrists in his hands. “Believe me, I didn't.”Right.He'd planned to do worse. If she hadn't summoned the courage, speaking like a crazy person last night, convinced she was speaking to the air, he'd still regard her as his enemy.Her craziness paid off, and-“I'm sorry.” Drawing her close by wrapping both arms around her waist, his expression turned sullen. “I shouldn't have treated you that way.”Indeed, she'd been almost broken beyond repair.Amidst the despair, she marveled at where she got the courage to chase him. “If I fo
On entering the living room, however, the woman came to a screeching halt, her eyes popping out of their sockets.Her lips parted like a fish’s, and pointing a trembling finger forward, she shouted, “You, this silly girl! Why're you with my son!?”Haley's heart dropped to her stomach.Damnit!For some reason, this woman hated her to the core. Even when she visited the mansion, the woman had hollered at and hit her. Wondering what she did wrong, she'd tried to apologize which only intensified her cruel actions towards her. Liam's mother didn't like her.Did she offend her in the past? “I thought you were hitting it off with Lisa already!” She faced Liam. “What are you doing with this wayward psychotic girl? Do you want me to die of a heart attack, Son!?”As she scolded Liam, the bodyguards dropped the boxes and left. Instinctively, Haley found herself shrinking behind him, hiding her presence.As if caught red-handed in an offensive act, she trembled on her toes, grabbing his arm
Haley paused.Then she pulled away with a sigh.Was she supposed to be mad at his words? Did she have the right to?He'd claimed not to love her anymore, but he just touched her.Liam's words might be partially correct. Even though he no longer loved her, at least he was still attracted to her. Lust and love…“You mean desire?” She stared at him, hope igniting a spark in her heart.“Call it what you like…” Liam turned his back to her. “It doesn't change anything.”But it might change a lot.The inkling was strong, fuelling her persistence. Haley didn't even know why she was smiling when she should be broken-hearted at the moment.‘Patience is key.’She'd soon have Liam wrapped around her fingers,But what happened a while ago wouldn't repeat itself. Not unless his wound healed. With a last glance at his back, she got down from the bed and headed inside the bathroom.She washed up the blood stains from the shirt and blew it dry with the hair dryer she found. Many minutes later, s
Haley followed his gaze, checking out the skimpy clothes she wore.The lacey nightwear barely concealed anything, revealing all there was to see. Urgh!She should have gone for a normal shirt and shorts.But in the fit of hunger, the thought about it fled her mind, until-Returning her gaze to his, Haley gulped, taking a cautious step back.Was he this super mad just because she wore something revealing?How the hell did it concern him anyway? “Get changed!” He snapped, pointing behind him to the stairs.The heck! What did she do wrong again?Infuriated by his actions, Haley balled her fists.Right. She was doing her best to make this dumb man understand that she wasn't in the wrong, yet, he kept giving her a hard time. If ordering her around was his way of intimidation, then he'd failed big time. From the deadly look in his eyes, Haley shuddered instead…But she maintained a brave front, lifting her chin and meeting his gaze. “As you wish!”Slowly, she curled her fingers around
Driven by curiosity and hoping that her mind was just being dramatic, Haley followed them upstairs.When she arrived in the hallway, they were already out of sight.But she heard voices… from the master's bedroom.Slowing down her footsteps, Haley's heart beat with discomfort as she approached the door. “Hey, keep still…” She laughed. “I promise it won't hurt.”“Who told you I'm scared?”“You eyes.”“Oh, really?” He laughed. “Watch me-”“No!” The lady's gasp echoed. Then she sighed. “You're so unbelievable, Will… allow a professional to apply it instead.”“It's no biggie. I'm done.”Done?Done with what?Haley pursed her lips, wishing she could disconnect her hearing from her heart.Why were they laughing together?She never knew that grumpy man knew how to laugh,And she couldn't remain here and continue eavesdropping,She had to see what was going on in there.Liam might catch her, so what?Pushing the door open, Haley stepped inside the room. Behold, Liam sat on the bed, facing t