Home / Romance / THE MARRIAGE GAME / CHAPTER 99: LIAM

Share

CHAPTER 99: LIAM

last update Last Updated: 2024-09-08 13:47:35

The sky outside is still dark when I finally pull myself out of bed, the weight of last night's conversation pressing heavily on my chest. Emma's voice is still echoing in my head, soft and slurred from the alcohol, but full of the raw emotion she usually keeps so well-hidden. Hearing her like that… it did something to me.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the lingering grogginess. I couldn't sleep much after her call, my mind too busy replaying every word she said. She loves me. She said it. But what does that even mean now?

I've been trying to keep my distance, to give her the space she needs to figure things out, but hearing her last night brought back everything I've been trying to push down. The memories, the feelings, the longing—it all came rushing back, stronger than ever.

And now, I'm stuck. I want to reach out to her, to comfort her, to tell her that everything's going to be okay, but I know that's not my place anymore. Not after the way things ended. Not aft
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 100: EMMA

    The sun is barely up when Rob's sleek, black SUV pulls up in front of my building. I'm standing on the sidewalk, a small suitcase at my feet, still not entirely sure how he convinced me to do this. A weekend in the Hamptons, surrounded by wealthy singles looking for their next fling, is about the last place I want to be right now. But Rob was relentless, as always, insisting that I needed a break, a distraction—something to shake me out of the funk I've been in since Liam's call."Ready, sunshine?" Rob grins as he steps out of the car, dressed in casual yet expensive clothes that scream effortless chic. His enthusiasm is infectious, even though I can't quite muster the same excitement."I guess," I say, giving him a half-hearted smile as he takes my suitcase and stows it in the trunk."Trust me, you're going to love it," he assures me, guiding me into the passenger seat. "A little sun, a little fun, and who knows? Maybe you'll meet someone who'll make you forget all about Liam."I rol

    Last Updated : 2024-09-09
  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 101: EMMA

    I freeze, my eyes locked on the figure across the room. The club's dim lighting makes it hard to see clearly, but there's no mistaking the broad shoulders, the way he holds himself, that familiar stance that I've memorized over the years. It's Liam.My heart stutters in my chest, and for a moment, I can't breathe. What is he doing here? How could this happen, out of all the places, on this night? It feels like a cruel twist of fate as if the universe is determined to keep throwing him in my path, no matter how hard I try to move on."Emma?" Rob's voice breaks through the fog in my mind, and I tear my gaze away from Liam, blinking rapidly to refocus."Huh?" I respond, my voice is barely audible over the pounding music.Rob frowns, leaning closer so I can hear him. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."I force a smile, trying to pull myself together. "I'm fine. Just… thought I saw someone I knew."His eyes narrow, and I can tell he's not buying it, but before he can press t

    Last Updated : 2024-09-10
  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 102: LIAM

    The cold night air stings my face as I watch Emma walk away from me, her figure getting smaller with each step. The urge to chase after her, to grab her and tell her everything I've been holding back, is almost unbearable. My chest tightens, and I feel like I'm drowning in the wave of emotions crashing over me.How did it get to this point? How did I let her slip so far away?My feet move before my mind can catch up, and I find myself running after her. I can't lose her again—not like this. Not after everything we've been through. I can't stand the thought of her hating me, of her believing that I don't care. Because I do. I always have."Emma!" I call out, my voice rough, but she doesn't stop. She just keeps moving forward, as if she's trying to outrun everything we've been to each other.I quicken my pace, pushing through the ache in my chest, until I'm close enough to reach out and grab her arm. She whirls around, eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt, and I almost flinch at th

    Last Updated : 2024-09-10
  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 103: EMMA

    As I say goodbye to Rob, the reality of what just happened starts to settle in. The warmth of Liam's confession still lingers in my chest, making it hard to breathe, and my mind races with a thousand thoughts. Rob, ever the dramatic and perceptive friend, looks at me with a mischievous grin."Good luck, Emma," he says, his voice dripping with playful insinuation. "I'll see you in the morning, and I expect all the juicy details."I roll my eyes, trying to hide my smile. "Go to bed, Rob," I say, giving him a light shove.He winks at me before turning on his heel, throwing a casual wave over his shoulder as he disappears down the hallway. I watch him go, the flutter of nerves in my stomach growing stronger with each passing second.When I turn back, I see Liam waiting for me a few feet away, his eyes locked on mine. The tension between us is almost palpable, a crackling energy that's impossible to ignore. Every nerve in my body is on high alert, and I know that whatever happens next is g

    Last Updated : 2024-09-11
  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 104: LIAM

    The second my lips meet hers again, the world outside ceases to exist. It's just us, tangled in each other, lost in a storm of emotions that have been building for years. I press her into the bed, my body hovering over hers, my heart pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears. I never knew it could feel like this—so right, so necessary.I've wanted her for so long, but I never thought I'd get this close, that she'd be here with me like this. And now that she is, I'm terrified of losing her. But I push that fear aside because right now, there's no room for doubt. There's only Emma.My hands move over her body, feeling the warmth of her skin under my fingertips. She's soft and perfect, everything I've ever wanted. I know I've got no right to be with her, not after everything that's happened, but I can't let her go. Not now. Not ever."Emma," I murmur, my voice low and rough as I pull back just enough to look into her eyes. They're dark and filled with a need that matches my own, and the

    Last Updated : 2024-09-11
  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 105: EMMA

    I'm still trembling when we pull apart, breathless and tangled together in the mess of emotions we've finally let out. Liam's hands are on my waist, holding me like he's afraid I'll disappear if he lets go, and at this moment, I don't want him to. It's like the air between us is crackling with something electric, something we've tried to push down for so long but can't anymore.I rest my forehead against his chest, trying to catch my breath as the weight of what just happened settles over me. He loves me. Liam loves me. And I love him, more than I've ever loved anyone in my entire life. But the reality of it all is starting to set in, the enormity of what this means. We've been so tangled up in each other for so long, but now everything's different."I should say goodbye to Rob," I whisper, my voice still shaky. The remainder of him brings a rush of clarity to the haze in my mind.Liam stiffens slightly, his hands sliding from my waist but not letting me go entirely. "Right. Rob." His

    Last Updated : 2024-09-13
  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 106: LIAM

    She's lying in my arms, her breath soft and steady against my chest. My hand drifts lazily over her bare skin, tracing idle patterns along her spine as I stare up at the ceiling, trying to wrap my head around everything that's happened in the last few hours.Emma. In my bed, in my arms. Finally. It feels like a dream I've had a thousand times but never dared to believe could come true.I tilt my head slightly, watching her sleep, her dark hair splayed out like a halo on the pillow. I've loved this woman for so long, in so many ways, but I never thought we'd get here. She's always been just out of reach, just a little too far, and I thought I'd lost her for good.But now she's here, and she's mine, and I don't want to let her go again.The confession earlier was raw, messy, and filled with every ounce of pain and love I've held onto for years. I didn't think I could still feel all those things after everything we'd been through, but they came rushing out, tearing me apart and piecing m

    Last Updated : 2024-09-13
  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 107: EMMA

    Monday hits me like a freight train. After a long, emotionally charged weekend, the idea of being back at work feels surreal. I sit at my desk, staring blankly at the computer screen in front of me, barely registering the flurry of emails that have piled up in my inbox. My body is here, but my mind is still somewhere else—somewhere between the memory of Liam's arms wrapped around me and the question that's been gnawing at me since we parted: 'Should I go with him?'Italy. Home. The idea stirs something deep inside me. I miss it—the warm cobblestone streets, the smell of my mom's hair, the laughter of my friends. But this internship is my dream. It's everything I've worked for, and it's not over yet. This is my life now. But, God, it's hard not to wonder what it would be like to be with Liam every day, no distance, no uncertainties. Just us."Okay, spill."Rob's voice breaks through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. He's leaning against my desk, arms crossed, his eyes alight wi

    Last Updated : 2024-09-14

Latest chapter

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 115: EMMA

    I glance at the clock and my heart starts racing. I'm late."Okay, stop fussing!" I scold my bridesmaids, but I can't help the nervous laugh that escapes my lips as Gia fluffs my veil for the third time. Natasha is running around, making sure every single detail is perfect, while Odette is already dressed and helping the makeup artist add the final touches to my lips.And then there's Rob. He's pacing back and forth, muttering under his breath, "You're going to be late for your wedding, Emma. Of course, you are. I knew it. I knew this would happen!""Rob," I groan, rolling my eyes. "You're not helping!"He stops pacing and dramatically places his hands on his hips, his eyes full of fake indignation. "Excuse me, darling. Who has been by your side through every single dress fitting, cake tasting, and meltdown?"I chuckled despite myself, the tension easing just a little. "I love you, Rob.""Yeah, yeah, yeah," he mutters, coming over to adjust my gown. "But seriously, we need to get movi

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 114: LIAM

    The darkness is heavy, but slowly, painfully, it starts to lift. I feel a strange tug in my chest, and I'm aware of the beeping sounds, the sterile scent of the hospital filling the air around me. My eyes flutter open, and the brightness of the room stings my vision. It takes a few moments for everything to come into focus.Where… where am I?"Liam?" A soft voice calls out to me, and when I blink again, I see Lilian, Emma's mother, standing by my bedside, her eyes wet with tears. "Oh my God, you're awake."I try to speak, but my throat feels like it's on fire. Instead, I groan, my hand instinctively reaching out to grasp hers. Lilian smiles through her tears, gently squeezing my hand."You've been in a coma, sweetheart," she says softly. "For a while now. But don't worry, you're okay. You're going to be okay." Her smile wavers for a moment before she adds, "Emma… she's at the station with your mother, confronting Serena. But she's fine. She's been by your side every day."My mind race

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 113: EMMA

    The silence in the room is deafening. Isabella stands before us, her posture rigid, her hands clasped together tightly as if she's holding on to a secret too heavy to bear. My mom and I sit across from her, the tension thick between us, suffocating."There's something you both need to know," Isabella begins, her voice wavering slightly. I glance at my mom, who looks pale, her fingers tightly gripping the arms of the chair. "I've held onto this for years, but it's time you hear the truth. About Enzo."At the mention of my father's name, my heart skips a beat. I feel my stomach churn as I wait for her to continue. Isabella takes a deep breath, then says the words that make my world tilt off its axis."I knew him."The words hang in the air like a weight, pressing down on me. My mom's face pales even more, her lips trembling as she absorbs the shock of the revelation. Isabella presses on, her eyes filled with a mixture of shame and regret."Enzo and I… we had an affair."The room goes co

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 112: EMMA

    The beeping of the heart monitor is the first thing I hear, steady and rhythmic, pulling me from the darkness that has consumed me. My body feels heavy like I'm being held down by invisible weights, and there's a dull ache spreading across my chest and limbs. The sterile smell of the hospital fills my nostrils, and it takes a moment for me to remember where I am.I blinked, squinting against the harsh fluorescent light above, trying to make sense of my surroundings. As my vision clears, I notice my mom, slumped over in a chair next to me, her head resting on her crossed arms, fast asleep. Her face looks worn, more tired than I've ever seen her.I try to sit up, but a sharp pain shoots through my ribs, forcing me to wince. The memories hit me all at once—the truck, the crash, Liam's bloodied face. Panic rises in my chest, and I gasp, "Liam."My voice is weak, barely more than a croak, but it's enough to wake my mom. Her head snaps up, her eyes widening as she sees me. "Emma!" she cries

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 111: EMMA

    We're curled up on the couch, the flicker of the fireplace casting warm shadows on the walls. Liam has been quiet all evening, his usual playful mood replaced by a somberness I haven't seen before. I know something's wrong. The weight of his silence presses down on me, but I don't want to push him, not yet.Eventually, he breaks the silence."Emma," he says quietly, his voice strained. His eyes are red and teary, and my heart aches just seeing him like this. "We need to talk."I sit up, my chest tightening. "Liam, what's going on? You're scaring me."He doesn't look at me, his gaze fixed on the fire. His hands tremble, and I gently place mine over his, trying to calm him, to let him know I'm here, whatever it is."I'm a monster," he whispers, his voice breaking. "I've done terrible things, Emma. Things I can't undo."I freeze, my heart hammering in my chest. "Liam, what are you talking about? You're not a monster."He shakes his head, his eyes squeezed shut as if the memories are too

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 110: LIAM

    I lean back in my office chair, glancing out of the large windows that overlook the city humming with life. It's been a perfect week, just me and Emma, no distractions, no obligations. We've spent our days exploring the city, enjoying quiet dinners by candlelight, and getting lost in each other's company. For the first time in a long while, I felt completely at peace.But now, it's back to reality. Back to work. And as much as I hate to admit it, the tension in the air is thick. I've barely been at my desk for half an hour when my mother storms into the office, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floors. Right behind her, Serena follows with a face full of barely contained rage. Great. Just the pair I didn't want to see today."Liam!" my mother snaps, her voice slicing through the silence of the room. "We need to talk."I sit up, bracing myself. I knew this was coming. Ever since Emma returned, I've been waiting for the inevitable confrontation. My mother never approved of E

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 109: EMMA

    I step off the plane, my heart racing with excitement and nerves. It's been months since I last set foot in Italy, and the anticipation of seeing Liam again has my stomach in knots. He thinks I'm arriving tomorrow, but I can't wait. My internship is officially over, and now I'm here, ready to surprise him.Odette is waiting for me just outside baggage claim, her signature oversized sunglasses perched on her head, and a wide grin stretching across her face. Beside her, Natasha and Gia are waving excitedly, their energy contagious. The second I step through the doors, I'm swept into a whirlwind of hugs, laughter, and excited chatter."Girl, you look amazing!" Gia says, her eyes sparkling as she gives me a once-over. "Internship did wonders for you.""I agree," Natasha adds, her arm looped through mine as we start walking toward the car. "Liam is going to lose his mind when he sees you."Odette, always the ringleader of the group, claps her hands together. "Alright, ladies. Time to make

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 108: LIAM

    The phone rings, and Emma's name lights up the screen. My heart skips a beat. I pick up, trying to keep my voice steady, but as soon as I hear her voice, soft and warm, I feel a smile tugging at my lips."Hey," she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice too. "I just got the flowers. A hundred roses, Liam? Really?"I chuckle, leaning back in my chair. "Too much?""No," she says quickly, a slight laugh in her tone. "It was perfect. You know, everyone at work is completely jealous. Rob hasn't stopped squealing since they arrived.""I'm glad you liked them," I say, feeling the tension in my chest loosen a little. "I wasn't sure if a hundred was over the top, but... I needed you to know how serious I am.""I know," she says softly. "And I love them. They're beautiful."There's a pause, a comfortable silence settling between us. I close my eyes, just listening to her breathe on the other end of the line. Even through the phone, the connection between us feels so strong, so real. It's h

  • THE MARRIAGE GAME   CHAPTER 107: EMMA

    Monday hits me like a freight train. After a long, emotionally charged weekend, the idea of being back at work feels surreal. I sit at my desk, staring blankly at the computer screen in front of me, barely registering the flurry of emails that have piled up in my inbox. My body is here, but my mind is still somewhere else—somewhere between the memory of Liam's arms wrapped around me and the question that's been gnawing at me since we parted: 'Should I go with him?'Italy. Home. The idea stirs something deep inside me. I miss it—the warm cobblestone streets, the smell of my mom's hair, the laughter of my friends. But this internship is my dream. It's everything I've worked for, and it's not over yet. This is my life now. But, God, it's hard not to wonder what it would be like to be with Liam every day, no distance, no uncertainties. Just us."Okay, spill."Rob's voice breaks through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. He's leaning against my desk, arms crossed, his eyes alight wi

DMCA.com Protection Status