---
Addison could not handle this right now.
She was the first to break eye contact, turning around and walking with her friends to their table without muttering a word. Williams looked down, uncertain of what to do next. He knew he had to get his act together and wanted to talk to her somehow—just to apologize for being an insensitive prick to her.
"Ahem," Amir said, "are you sitting with us or approaching Addison?"
Williams looked at the person who had her back to him. She was engaging in conversation with her friends. She was lively and upbeat, and Williams had never seen her like that before.
"I'll sit with you both, but I just want to say hi," Williams took a deep breath and walked to her. He was three feet away when he cleared his throat, "Addison?"
Addison turned her attention to him for a split second, then returned her attention to Alec Monroe. She raised her fingers to stop Williams from interrupting. She laughed at what Alec had just said before returning her gaze to Williams.
"Mister Montenegro, I thought our business was done?" she said, standing up and gesturing for Williams to follow her toward a more secluded area.
"It's not, Addison. You left me," Williams said, stepping forward toward her.
Addison stepped back, resisting the alpha's charm. "I paid you the money stipulated in the contract, so if you don't have anything else to say, I want to spend time with my friends."
"But I want you back," Williams said as he held on to Addison's arm, stopping her from walking away, releasing pheromones to express his desire toward the omega.
"But I don't," Addison said, calmly removing Williams' hand from her arm.
"What do you want me to do, Addi?" he pleaded, trying to hold her again.
Addison stepped farther back, avoiding the scorching touch of his hand on her skin. "Nothing. You are doing nothing."
"Addison, I am sorry. Please, just one date. Please, let me explain," he pleaded.
Addison took another step backward. "There's no need, Williams. I won't allow it. Please leave me be because I have left you and Ivy, Isn't that enough? Let me have my peace because I allowed you to have yours," she said in a clipped tone.
With that, Addison turned around and walked back to her friends. Williams persisted, though, because he wanted the omega back.
"Guys, let's just go somewhere else, please?" Addison said.
"Why, Addi?" Kael asked.
"The place suddenly became unappealing. I don't want to waste my time," she said, loud enough for Williams to hear.
Williams just stood there, watching Addison walk away from him again.
---
Williams tried to escape the memories of when his real mother died. A person who was full of life, full of passion, and full of love. Someone whose guidance made him achieve all things possible even at a young age.
But then everything changed after a year when his father decided to marry. Decided to choose someone because of status, because of richness, because of society. His stepmother, was a ruthless person, and reasoning with her was like talking to a wall.
Having a new mother at nine years old reset his insights into life. The once fuzzy and warm place he had settled comfortably in became tattered, broken, and uninhabitable.
And with a new stepmother came a new lifestyle, new schools, a new circle of friends—and two of them were **his best friend** and Ivy. Their parents were at all the social gatherings, so the kids also became part of the alliance, something inevitable and predictable.
Williams wasn't able to sleep well at all, trying to process the emotions that overwhelmed him when he saw Addison at the party. He was always prepared, cool, and calculated at all costs because he didn't want to relive the raw emotions he felt when he lost his mother.
He had been selfish and foolish, practicing self-preservation. But he realized that the moment he ran after Addison at New York, he had already stumbled.
Williams arrived at the airport to meet with Amir and to tell Ivy the truth—that he wouldn't be able to return what she wanted. He took a deep breath as he got out of his vehicle and walked to the waiting area. Amir raised his hand. "Williams, over here!"
"Amir!"
"Hey, kid!" Amir said.
"I am not a kid," Williams replied.
"Yes, you are! You're a child when it comes to feelings," Amir teased.
Then a throng of people started walking out from the gate.
Ivy waved at Williams excitedly and ran with her luggage in tow.
"Williams!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Hey!" Williams said as Ivy left her luggage and ran for an embrace.
But Williams looked at her and finally realized that Amir and Hal had been right. How could he have been so oblivious?
Ivy's eyes sparkled as she hugged him back and patted his back.
"Williams, what's wrong?" she asked, frowning. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
Williams looked at her and searched his feelings.
Nothing.
All he felt was fondness for Ivy—like a brother toward an older sister.
"I'm glad to see you!" Williams expressed, smiling.
"Amir will bring you to Washington DC, " he continued.
"Why? Why not New York with you?" Ivy asked, puzzled.
Williams looked at Ivy's eyes, pleading and hopeful. "Ivy," Williams said as they walked toward the parking lot.
They reached Amir's car, and Williams turned to face her. "Tell me, how do you think of me?"
"What? Williams? Tell me, what's going on?" Ivy said, her voice laced with fear.
"How do you see me?" Williams clarified.
Ivy's eyes darted around, uncertain of how to answer his question.
"Damn it, Williams, you're scaring me," she exclaimed.
"It's a simple question. Or, do you want me to make it simpler?" Williams looked her straight in the eyes, dead serious.
"Williams, I feel faint, I feel weak—please, my heart!" Ivy began to panic.
Williams calmly took her hands. "Hyung, I spoke to the doctor late last night. He told me that you've been better since you left New York and that you didn't need a blood transfusion. Why did you lie to me?"
"I..." Ivy started trembling. She wasn't prepared for what was coming.
"I love you, Ivy. You know that, right?" Williams said in a calm, concerned voice. "You've been a great older sister to me, and I thank you for that."
"Why are you telling me all this? I just arrived!" Tears began forming in her eyes.
"I just don't want you to expect anything from me anymore, that's why," Williams said. "And since you're better, I feel like I was able to make amends for his death."
"Williams, I'm sorry if I lied to you. Please, I need you!" Ivy finally realized what Williams was trying to do.
"It's okay. I forgive you, even if you sent Addison away all that time ago. I've already forgiven you." Williams showed her the screenshot.
Ivy's eyes widened in shock. "How did you get that? Did Addison send it to you? She's lying! She's trying to destroy what we have."
Amir interjected. "It came from your old phone—the one you exchanged before you left. Nothing came from Addison."
Coldness seeped into Ivy's body as she realized she had no escape. "I... I don't know, Williams. It's that omega's fault. She tried to steal you, to brainwash you," Ivy tried to reason.
"Ivy!" Williams said firmly, touching her shoulder.
Ivy's tears fell. "Williams, I'm sorry. It's just that I'm in love with you, and I didn't know how to tell you."
"But you know I cannot love you the way you want me to. Please, let's not make this harder for both of us," Williams said, firm but gentle.
Ivy began sobbing uncontrollably.
"Ivy, please stay in Washington DC, at your parents' place. Amir will drive you, in case you need anything," Williams said.
He smiled and cupped Ivy's cheek. "I'm sorry." He kissed her forehead. "I'll always be your friend."
Williams turned and walked away, leaving a wailing Ivy in Amir's arms.
"Why is he doing this all of a sudden? What did I do wrong?" Ivy cried out.
Amir quietly held her in his arms. "It will be okay, Ivy. It will be okay."