This dangerous state of affairs had gone on far too long already. That’s why he had to drive Sunny out with today’s confrontation. She couldn’t stay in this house, sharing the same roof as him, with their chemistry becoming more charged by the day. It was a ticking time bomb that would only end in devastation…or worse, open up a realm of possibility that he didn’t dare allow himself to contemplate.
Liam felt like such a coward for not being honest with Sunny about his inner turmoil. But how could he put that on her? She had been nothing but professional and affable, despite his surliness. What right did he have to burden this young, effervescent woman with his demons and scars?
So instead, he lashed out, pushing her away with cruel words and false accusations. It was a despicable thing to do, especially after seeing her fight so fiercely for his daughters, not wanting to abandon them. In that moment, he realized just how deeply she had already woven herself into the fabric of their broken family. The girls adoredher, plain and simple. And, if Liam was being truly honest with himself, so did he, on a level that shook him to his core.
These growing feelings for Sunny terrified him. They filled him with a paralyzing fear that he would inevitably fail her just as he had failed Kate. That he was simply too damaged, too closed off, too haunted by past traumas to ever let someone like Sunny fully into his life. If he then lost her, like he lost Kate, the pain would be too much to bear. He never wanted to travel down that road again. Better to be alone.
As tears started to streak down his cheeks, Liam’s heart twisted painfully. He knew deep down that keeping Sunny at arm’s length was a form of self-sabotage. She was the first person in a long time to make him feel a spark of joy. But he couldn’t shake the deep-seated belief that he didn’t deserve that kind of joy and love after what had happened to Kate. That he was unworthy and would only end up hurting Sunny, and something tragic would befall her.
Curling up on his bed, Liam broke down into heaving sobs, finally allowing himself to process the maelstrom of emotions he had bottled up for so long. He cried for his beloved Kate and the beautiful life they had lost. He cried for his little girls who had suffered so much tragedy in their young lives. He cried until he had no more tears left in him to cry.
Sunny
Sunny sighed contentedly as she took her first sip of the rich Cabernet, allowing the bold flavors to coat her tongue. After the roller-coaster of a day she’d had, from the explosive argument with Liam in the morning to the usual bedtime chaos of putting the girls down for the night, she desperately needed a moment to unwind.
Settling back on the plush couch in the den, she pulled her feet up under her and savored the blessed silence now that Maddie and Hailey were safely tucked in bed. Liam had disappeared into his bedroom, no doubt providing some space after their heated confrontation.
Sunny’s mind kept drifting back to the hurt looks on the little girls’ faces when they thought she was going to abandon them. Their anguished pleas for her to stay had wounded her. In just a few short weeks, she had grown so attached to the boisterous pair.
She took another fortifying sip as she replayed Liam’s tirade, his harsh words cutting deep despite her best efforts to remain professional. Part of her wanted to be charitable. She knew from the outset that she might have an uphill battle against the memory of Kate. How could she ever hope to live up to the sacrosanct image of the woman who had given Liam those two precious daughters?
Lost in her swirling thoughts, Sunny didn’t hear Liam enter until his deep voice made her nearly jump out of her skin.
“You’re still up.”
It wasn’t a question, just a flat statement laced with weariness. Sunny felt her cheeks flush slightly as she turned to find him leaning against the door frame, his broad shoulders straining against the fabric of his shirt.
“I, uh…I was just having a glass of wine to unwind after putting the girls down,” Sunny stammered, silently cursing herself for sounding so flustered.
Get it together, girl.
Liam’s gaze drifted to the bottle on the table.
“Sure could use a glass myself after the day we’ve had.”
Before Sunny could respond, he left for the kitchen. He came back a few moments later, glass in hand, then crossed the room in a few long strides. He picked up the bottle, pouring himself a generous measure. As he settled into the armchair opposite her, Sunny couldn’t help but notice the way his muscular frame filled out the soft leather chair.
An awkward silence stretched between them as they sipped their wine. Just as Sunny was about to make her excuses and retreat to her room, Liam spoke up.
“Look, I just want you to know that I feel like the asshole of the century,” he said. “What happened this morning, that was totally out of line. I should never have questioned your credentials.” He broke off eye contact before continuing. “I just…don’t know what gets into me sometimes.”
Sunny had a variety of options on how to respond. Resentment, upset, and defensiveness were definitely in the running. In the end, she opted for compassion.
“It can’t be easy,” she said. “Entrusting Maddie and Hailey to someone outside of the family. That part is perfectly understandable.”
He looked up at her again. “You were really great with them today,as always.”
Sunny felt her breath catch at the compliment.
“They’re wonderful kids,” she replied. “A handful for sure, but adorable nonetheless.”
Liam’s icy blue eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her shiver.
“This morning,” he said, “when they thought you were leaving…God, I’ve never seen them more upset. Well…maybe once.”
The memory appeared to visibly pain him.
“I didn’t want to go,” Sunny heard herself admitting, the wine already loosening her tongue. “Those little girls, they’ve burrowed their way into my heart.”
