"I can't get you pregnant without your permission, Layla."
I quickly glanced at Liam, feeling a shiver run down my spine.
I get that he seems to have a knack for reading my mind, but it's still kinda creepy.
And did he just say he couldn't get me pregnant without my permission? But how?
"I obviously used protection, Layla," he continued, his eyes locked on mine.
"I didn't want you to hate yourself or our potential child. I respect your choices and your body."
Saliva filled my throat, and I swallowed hard. My heart raced as I spoke, the words barely above a whisper.
"You claimed to care about my well-being, but you always forced yourself on me."
I smiled faintly, trying to appear calmer than I felt.
Memories of the times Liam forced himself on me came flooding back, piercing my heart like daggers.
I recalled the desperate pleas and tears, the begging for mercy, but he remained unyielding, taking control of my body however he desired.
I took a deep breath, attempting to compose myself, then raised my gaze to meet Liam's, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.
I felt a chill run down my spine as he leaned in, his elbows resting on the table.
He interlaced his fingers, creating a steeple with his hands, and his face remained impassive.
My thumbs fidgeted against each other in my lap, the only outward sign of my growing anxiety.
Just as I parted my lips to speak, a sudden knock on the door interrupted me.
The sound made me jump, my heart skipping a beat.
I turned back to face Liam, my voice faltering. "Uhm, I'll go see who it is."
"Sit down." His icy words sent my eyes wide with surprise.
"Liam, are you okay? Did I somehow upset you?" I asked.
But his expression remained stern, his eyes devoid of any warmth.
I recalled the anger that had blazed in his eyes when I was with Ethan, but I was alone now, so why was he so mad?
Suddenly, Liam snapped his fingers, the sharp sound making me flinch. I winced, my ears ringing.
But I suddenly heard a creaking sound, and as I turned to locate the source of the creaking sound, two maids appeared, their smiles a stark contrast to the tension between Liam and me.
The maids carried white trays with large lids, concealing the contents.
I wondered if it was the Kolean-style fried chicken I had been craving.
One of the maids placed a plate right in front of me, and as she lifted the lid, the aroma wafted up, teasing my senses.
"Wow!" I exclaimed, my eyes widening at the sight of the crispy chicken and brown sauce on my plate.
It looked just like the image in the book.
"Go now," he dismissed the maids, his tone remaining stern, seemingly unaltered by the delicious food before us.
Slowly, I lifted my gaze, and my heart skipped a beat as our eyes locked.
Liam's stare was unyielding, piercing through me with an intensity that left me breathless. I felt like he could see right through to my soul.
The thought that he had been watching me the entire time sent a flutter through my chest, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.
"Uhm, Liam, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
He stood up, his movements deliberate and slow, making my heart race even faster. The clicking of his shoes on the floor was the only sound in the silent hall.
My eyes darted nervously between the candle's flame and the utensils on the table, my pupils constricting with each passing moment.
Before I knew it, Liam grasped my chair from behind, pulling it back with a sudden jerk.
I looked up at him with a flicker of fear in my eyes, our gazes locking in a tense moment.
His face drew closer, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
He grasped my wrist, his grip warm and strong, and pulled me up with a force that made my nose collide with his button.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed, the pain sharp and sudden.
I raised my hand to rub my nose, but Liam grabbed my waist with his hands, and slammed myself into him, leaving me breathless.
His hands slipped under my clothing, his warm fingers making contact with my bare skin, sending a thrill of sensation that was both ticklish and tantalizing.
My cheeks flushed as I gazed fixedly at his neck, my chest pressed tightly against his.
The surge of hormones was overwhelming, my heart racing like a wild animal.
Just as his fingers reached for my bra hook, my eyes flew wide open in surprise.
"Uh, uhm, Liam," I stuttered, trying to push him away with my hands on his chest. But he only pulled me closer, his grip unyielding.
I was acutely aware that he could feel my heart pounding against his chest, its rapid beat a testament to my nervous excitement.
I expected him to unhook my bra, but instead, it felt tighter, as if he had fastened it for me.
The realization hit me like a wave - he was helping me with my bra, just as he had undone it before.
A pang of guilt swept over me for trying to push him away.
I gazed down at the floor, feeling mute and sorrowful.
Then, his arms encircled my bare back, holding me close with a gentle yet firm embrace.
"I hate it when you feel guilty," Liam whispered, his breath sending shivers down my neck. But I remained silent, unable to voice my thoughts.
"I don't want you to feel sad when you're with me, Layla," he added, his embrace tightening around me.
"I also hate it when you feel bad about me touching you. It hurts like hell."
His words took my breath away, my eyes snapping open in surprise.
"Uhm, Lia—"
"It's going to be hard, but I have to do it."
My mind raced with confusion, "hard to do what Liam?" I asked, my voice barely audible.
"It's also going to hurt me if I have to stay away from you, Layla."
"Stay away from me? Li—"
"The worst way to punish myself is by letting you go," he replied, his arms constricting around my waist like a vice.
"What?"
I struggled to free myself, but Liam held me tight.
My lips parted In suprise, my heart sinking at the thought of him breaking up with me. It felt like my heart had plummeted to the depths of the ocean.
"But Liam, what did I do wrong?"
"You didn't do anything, my love," Liam replied, his arms tightening around me. "It's just that I've always forced myself on you, and I realize now that was wrong."
"Well, that's in the past, Liam. Let's leave it there. We love each other, right?"
Liam's arms constricted even further, his grip almost suffocating. "The love I have for you is more profound than you think, and I'm afraid it might turn into an all-consuming obsession."
"I...I don't mind at all, Liam."
"I don't mind if you become obsessed with me. Just please don't break up with me."
"I've already become obsessed, Layla. I don't know how it happened, but it did. I thought I was going to die when I had to stay away from you for the whole day and night. Your smile, you, everything - it's all I can think about. This is what I feared."
My lips parted to speak, but I was at a loss for words. Was Liam breaking up with me?
"No, Layla, I'm not breaking up with you. I just need to restrain myself from any sexual intimacy with you."
I froze, my eyes fixed on the darkness ahead, as Liam's words hung in the air like a challenge.
"Do you mean that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible, my heart suspended in a state of fragile hope.