“You bastard!” Liam snarled. “That night, I was in Belle’s room because she was sick- hospitalized, for God’s sake! I went back to get her clothes. My mother packed them. But you? You cheat with your own damn sister and assume the rest of us are as disgusting as you are!!!
Grayson’s expression barely shifted. “Even if I misunderstood, that doesn’t excuse the lies you’ve told me. I agreed to settle this once Alice is discharged. I’ll talk to Belle then.”
“You’ve got some nerve,” Liam spat. “You’re worried about Alice’s rest? You’ve got no concern for my sister, dead and gone as she is!”
I watched Grayson, feeling a pang of indescribable pain. Despite everything, he could still shield Alice with such care, such devotion. And I? I had been nothing to him but an inconvenience.
Chapter 8
+25 BONUS
Liam said nothing more, his jaw clenched tight as he led my mother out of the hospital. My mother–in–law stayed behind, tears streaming down her face. Her shoulders sagged under the weight of her sorrow. Seeing her like this made my heart ache, but what comfort could I offer her now?
“Mom,” Alice murmured with her face pale, her voice trembling just enough to seem earnest. “I know you always take Belle’s side. You think it’s all my fault–that I’m the reason she and Grayson fought. But you shouldn’t deceive Grayson like this.”
“Shut your mouth!” my mother–in–law snapped, her voice trembling with rage.
Grayson stepped between them, his tone icy but firm. “Mom, if you’re angry, take it out on me. Don’t make things harder for Alice. This is my fault–I couldn’t help falling for her. I’ve made my decision. I’ll divorce Belle. Nothing she does will change my mind. Tell her to stop this charade, come back, and finalize the divorce. If she wants to keep the baby, fine— if not, let her get rid of it. That child probably isn’t even mine.”
“You monster!” my mother–in–law screamed, striking him hard across the face. “She’s dead! Belle is dead, and you still talk about divorcing her? You should die and follow her to the grave, you heartless monster!”
Her voice cracked as she stared at him, disgust and despair etched across her face. Finally, unable to bear it, she stormed out of the room.
I stood in the corner, invisible yet suffocating, watching this man I once loved reduce my life, my death, to ashes.
“Grayson, you don’t have to do this,” Alice said softly, her wide eyes brimming with crocodile tears. “If you still care for her, go back and make things right. I don’t mind–I just want to stay by your side, even if it’s from a distance. Please forget what I said about marrying me. Pretend you never heard it.”
Grayson turned to her, his expression softening intò something almost tender. “Alice, I’ve thought it over. Belle is a cruel woman–I never loved her. I’ll divorce her. Don’t worry. If Mom won’t accept us, we’ll leave. We’ll go abroad and start over together.”