Chapter 4

Perhaps she was right.

At the very least, I knew he had never argued with me like this over anyone else.

"She didn't grow up rich like you did," Liam said, his voice cold. "She built her life through sheer hard work. Even if you hold a grudge, you shouldn't judge her without hearing her out."

"She wanted to surprise you today."

A sharp pain squeezed my chest.

Then came his deeply disappointed voice.

"Sophia, there is nothing going on between Maya and me. Why can't you just leave her alone?"

He wanted me to leave Maya alone.

But when did Maya and he ever leave me alone?

I chose silence. I refused to speak to him.

He didn't force me. He just slammed on the gas.

A twenty-minute drive took us barely ten minutes.

But when I got out of the car, Maya was already standing at our front door.

She immediately raised her hands in mock surrender and stuck her tongue out. "I'm just here to pick up some of my things. I'll leave right away."

Liam had set up her job in the human world. It was only natural they had professional business together now that she was back.

I had prepared myself for that.

But I hadn't expected Liam to let her stay the night.

Looking at his stubborn jawline, I knew he was still furious.

This was his way of telling me that he ran this house.

And I had no choice but to accept it.

When his gaze swept over me, I knew what he was waiting for. He was waiting for me to beg, to apologize, so he could graciously ask Maya to leave.

But I didn't. I just quietly walked past them and went upstairs.

Maya was given the guest room at the very end of the hallway.

Before going to bed, she knocked on my door to say goodnight and apologize again.

I locked the door in her face and went to sleep.

But I couldn't sleep.

So when the man beside me quietly got out of bed in the middle of the night, I noticed instantly.

I kept my eyes closed, letting the hot tears slide silently down my temples.

The hallway light was on. The door to our home bar, which was barely ever used, stood wide open.

"Liam, this is incredible! It’s exactly how I described my dream bar to you back then."

"I'm glad you like it. I was worried it might look a bit outdated now."

"No way! I'm so touched..."

I leaned against the hallway wall, my knees trembling.

When we were renovating this house, Liam insisted on designing the home bar himself. He was incredibly picky about every single detail. I hadn't understood why.

He hadn't cared about any other room in the house.

Only the bar. He hadn't allowed me to touch a single thing in it.

It turned out it was all for Maya's dream.

He probably dreamed of living in this house with her every single day.

Too bad my existence got in the way.

I dragged my numb body back to bed.

Liam didn't return to our room for the rest of the night.

And the very last shred of love I had for him finally withered away.

At dawn, I got up. I booked an appointment on my phone, reserved a hotel suite, packed a few clothes into a small duffel bag, and walked out the door.

I didn't even look at the open door of the home bar as I passed it.

By the time Liam realized I was gone, I was already sitting in my hotel room.

My phone rang continuously. I patiently watched it light up. After the fifth call ended, it finally went silent.

I knew Liam wouldn't call again.

His patience with me was always limited. Besides, the Frost Moon Pack had been struggling lately, and my father desperately needed the Red Flame Pack's financial support.

Otherwise, my father's position as Alpha would be in jeopardy.

Liam was sure I was just throwing a tantrum. He believed I would never dare to actually leave him.