Amelie
I wanted to break the awkward silence but couldn't think of anything to say. My mother was staring at me as though I had lost my mind, while Ben just stood because everyone else was frozen.The expression on his face was not shock, it was more of a nonchalant one with traces of rage and hate here and there.
"You refused right?" Mother asked, her eyes widening expectantly. If I give a different answer from what she wanted to hear she might actually collapse. My family knew about everything the Hardwoods did to me. My father had wanted to press charges of physical abuse against them, but we all knew it was a waste of time. Against the Hardwoods, we stood no chance.
"Of course I did, what do you take me for?" Mother just smiled, a sigh of relief followed suite.
"That's good Amelie, you should avoid those people as much as you can." She said as she arranged the plates. Suddenly she paused, her hand stilled on the plate in her grip. "Why did he ask you to marry him once more?"
"Something about getting back his family's company. It's complicated, I can't really go into details." I lied. Although it wouldn't hurt to tell them about the entire situation surrounding Liam's return, I just felt it would be better they didn't know. It wouldn't do them any good anyways.
Mother glared at me as though she suspected I was lying, but I maintained a straight face. "Wouldn't you consider moving back to Wales? To stay away from him and family?"
"I have to work Ma. Plus my whole life is in London."
"You won't have much life left if those people keep coming for you. They're dangerous Amelie, come back home." She urged.
"I agree with Ma." Ben added before I could oppose. I gave their advise a considerable thought, but still failed to realise how that would be advantageous to me. Running to Wales would only mean running from my problems. Since they didn't know the full story, they weren't aware of the fact that Liam would probably continue to pursue me no matter what.
"You're not thinking of going back to him, are you?" Mother read my mind. It wasn't what I had in mind, but it was close. I didn't particularly despise Liam right now. For a while now he has been exhibiting the character of a changed man.
But just when I was about forgiving him, the memories of our last nights as couples always invaded my mind. I remembered now, the night that broke the last straw.
Liam had walked in drunk, his eyes were red and his breath reeked of smoke and alcohol. I remembered trying to offer him a helping hand, but was pushed aside. That night I was fed up, and for the first time decided to stand up for myself, but that was a bad idea.
"Liam please...." I had pleaded, but he had ignored me, drunk and high as he struck me for the umpteenpth time.
As though laying his hands on me wasn't enough, to top off the nights horror and humiliation, Liam had kicked me out of the house.
I was left so broken that night that I considered doing some stupid shit to myself. He probably didn't remember, he was drunk and high. But the memory of that night has been carved deep into my very existence. Until Liam shows improvement that transcends what he put me through, I might never really forgive him.
Ben saw my expression change so abruptly, and immediately proceeded to stop my mother from asking any further questions.
"Dinner's getting cold." He announced, changing the subject. "When are you going back to London sis?"
"I'll be staying for a while, haven't really decided on when I'll be going back yet." Although I planned on staying here not more than a week, I didn't want to give a definite answer yet. Liam might decide to come fetch me tomorrow or next. But if I got no response in a week, I was flying back to London immediately, with or without his permission.
I walked to the dining table and settled beside Ben while mother dished out the food. It has been since I've had a family dinner with my real family. Ben was rarely home, and our father was a very busy man.
While we waited for our mother to finish in the kitchen and join us on the table, I entertained myself with my phone. That was until a call entered from nowhere, it was Liam, and without a doubt Ben had seen his name pop up on my phone screen.
His eyes turned towards me in an odd and questioning manner, but I ignored both him and the call. 'That bastard! Why must he call now?' I cursed inwardly. Liam knew how much my family detested him, why would he even consider calling me when he knew I was at my family house.
The rest of dinner unfolded very calmly. Ben had his eyes on me most of the time while mother just ate silently. She was strict with her table manners.
I rushed to my room the moment dinner was over to escape from the awkwardness between Ben and I. I knew he had questions, and honestly I wasn't ready to answer them.
"You like him don't you?" My soul almost left my body. The sneaky bastard had followed me, and had thrown the worst possible question at me. "I saw the way your eyes changed when mom spoke about him. It's bad to fall for him again."
"I don't like him, things are just awkward between us." I protested. Normally I would tell Ben everything, but not this time. I didn't want him involved with the Hardwoods and anything concerning them. He might go wild if I said something concerning Casmir, Ben had a temper, one that he was yet to tame.
"I hope that's true. That family hurt you badly, I would consider coming back to Wales if I were you." With that he left the room like nothing had happened. He was an adult now, and not some kid I could scold for poking his nose in another person's business.
Ben was probably right, it would be stupid falling for Liam after everything that had happened between us in the past. I wanted to hate him, but like I said things were awkward between us. There was this feeling inside me, one that had respawned the moment Liam made love to me again. I had no idea what it was, but unless I shake it off, I might never be able to avoid falling for my ex husband again.