Patrica's POV
Six freaking months, the judge said. Three weeks doing community service, the rest in a psychiatric ward because I was supposedly crazy. I couldn't even defend myself. I had yelled so much I couldn't talk anymore.
I had attempted to kill my husband and I was involved in art forgery. That was all the judges needed to hear. Not once did they ask me if I was truly guilty.
The courtroom was packed. Everyone I ever had an encounter with were all there, and it was clear that they weren't on my side. They all wanted to see how the proud rich heiress finally lost everything and how she ended up.
My husband had meticulously planned everything to my detriment. He had successfully taken over my company, and now he wanted to make sure I would never get out.
I found out he was the one that sent me the pornographic video. He told me in secret. He came clean, after all he had nothing to lose and I would never be considered stable to say anything. My life had ended, yet I spat at him and told him I would make him pay. How I planned to do so, I had no idea. His lips curled upwards and a sinister grin plastered across it.
The judges didn't care to hear me out since Henry had provided all the believable evidence against me. Even I would've believed them due to how true they seemed. God, I had never hated a man as much as I loved him in the span of a couple of days.
When they finally gave me my sentence, I watched as Henry and Quinn smirked as the officers whisked me away disgracefully. I couldn't even get a divorce because I was considered unstable.
Behold, how the mighty queen has fallen.
I knew it would circulate and be in the news. When they took me back to my cell so I could commence my community service the next day, I let the tears roll down my cheeks. I cried my eyes out. I was done acting strong. I just needed to cry. They had won, so at least I deserved to shed a couple of tears.
Finally, I resigned to my fate.
....
The next day, just before I could begin my community service, I was told that I had a visitor.
A visitor? Who would visit me here? I had no family. I blamed myself for my sister's death and turns out, my parents did too.
I already had the company and I was running it well so they didn't take it away, not like they would've if they tried. We just had a strained relationship that was so bad that they would never come here to save me, so who?
The officer brought me out of my reverie with his pissed voice.
"Mrs. Lynn! Come out!" I trembled for a second because I wasn't used to people yelling at me, but I listened to him. I walked out and he took me to a private room.
Walking in, my eyes intertwined with the eyes of the last person I expected to see. Even though it lasted for a second, his gaze was so intense that I had to look away.
What was Liam Calloway doing here?
Raising my brows in surprise because it was clearly suspicious, I shamefully sunk into a seat that was provided for me, directly opposite him.
He exuded so much charisma, it was too much for one person. He looked domineering and I knew that if he stood, he would tower over me greatly. Something was off, as even the air seemed to retreat in fear as I took in the figure that sat across from me.
I had heard about him a couple of times but I only got to meet him for the first time a few days ago at my art exhibition that I hosted.
He bought some paintings, we made small talk and he promised to reach out later on.
There was a way he stared at me then, a longing I didn't understand in his eyes. I didn't think much of it until now, since he wore the same stare on his face again.
It was expected that he would avoid me just like the others. Liam was one of the richest moguls in the country, and no one knew how wealthy he was, all they knew was that he made things happen.
Yet, he came to see me? Honestly, it was sketchy so I called him out immediately.
"Are you here to ridicule me too? If so, get on with it. Or you think I sold fake paintings to you too. I'm already at my rock bottom so do what you have to do." I hissed, still as sharp-mouthed as ever.
I folded my arms, waiting for him patiently. I pretended like I wasn't affected by the way he looked at me. Even though I had hit rock bottom, I am still Patricia Lynn and character and confidence is everything.
"Look what they've done to you, Patricia." He said softly, but with anguish, like he felt pity for me.
I blinked. I took offense instantly. I straightened my posture and folded my legs under my seat. I needed to feel like I didn't need pity.
"Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean? I don't need your pity, okay?" I fumed, all my anger threatening to pop out from my face.
"I came to get you out of here." He stated like it was nothing, but it immediately piqued my attention.
"What?" My eyebrows shot up immediately and my nose flared in anticipation of his next words. He could get me out?
"I know you were framed. I never believed your husband for once and since your cute little mouth is still running, you're clearly stable."
Relief washed over me and I felt air circulate my lungs. Apparently, I had been holding my breath in anger. I felt vindicated for the first time in a while.
"Thank you! You have no idea how hard I've tried to convince– don't call my mouth little and cute again."
I shot him a glare upon realization. My mouth, cute and little?
"I'm sorry, I'll try not to, Princess." He said, a shadow of a smirk threatening to emerge from the corners of his lips but it never did.
Thank goodness it didn't, because he was already the most handsome man I had ever seen. I wouldn't know how to deal with watching a smile form on his face. I can't afford to melt.
"Don't call me that either." I pretended to be offended but I already knew my cheeks were stained red.
"State your intention. I'm too smart to be seduced or deceived by you. Your boyish charm won't work on me." I folded my arms with an air of authority, but he chuckled instead.
Did he think I was funny?
"You're cute, and smart. Well I'm a man after all, so I do have intentions. I want to set you free. I want to help you get your revenge. You deserve so much better."
He said all the words I wanted to hear and maybe in another dimension, I would've believed him but over here, kindness didn't fall from the sky.
"Revenge on my husband? How? He took everything from me!" My anger was evident in every word I spat out, my worry lines returning to my temple. I almost slammed my fists on the table but I stopped myself last minute.
"And we'll get it back." He muttered, then I watched confusion form on his face.
"Wait–husband? You're not divorced yet?"
I rolled my eyes, equally remembering that I couldn't divorce the fucking bastard.
"The judge said that I'm unfit to sign since I'm 'unstable'.I made a gesture with my fingers so he could understand me.
"I'm sure Henry is more upset about this." I sank back into my seat, finally relaxed.
"We'll have to fix that too." He replied, very much thoughtfully as if his mind was suddenly somewhere else.
But then, nothing was making sense. He needed to do better in convincing a smart woman like me.
"You want to help me? Just like that? I know men like you, Liam Colloway." His last name rolled off my tongue like sugar as I flashed him a flirty look.
"What do you want in return? What do you want from me?"
Our gazes met instantly, sharing an electric shock that charged the air in a jiffy. I proceeded to give him a seductive glare. If he wanted me to play with him, then he would soon find out how much of a waste of time his time here has been.
"You. I want you." He dropped the bombshell and instead of feeling disgusted, I felt multiple butterflies dancing in my stomach.
"You want me? But I'm married." I batted my eyelashes at him.
"Well, I don't care. A husband doesn't scare me."
I felt it in between my legs.
Fuck. Just who was this man?
"So you're saving me because you want me?" I asked to be sure. It was hard to believe.
"It's purely business. I need you to work with me. It would be a waste for you to rot here, don't you think so?" His brows raised.
The butterflies screeched to a halt and my countenance immediately changed.
He meant he wanted me for business? Now I wished the ground would open up and swallow me.
"I do."
"So, what do you say?" He was composed. His face didn't give away any emotions. I decided to trust him anyway, anything to get out of here.
Looking at him, I realized how easy it would be to deceive him. I would use him and disappear.
Except, the future had other plans…
"Yes. Help me, and I'll help you."
We formed an immediate partnership as we shook hands.