Page 107 of The Contract Marriage

Chapter Forty-Four

Olivia

I stare at the red taillights of Liam’s Spectre. He was so happy just yesterday… What happened to him in the last twenty-four hours?

I stand in the carport for a while, trying to think about what could’ve upset him to this degree. Did I say something wrong? Do something to trigger him?

Did somebody say something about the baby? But why would he lash out at me over it? He loves this baby. Fed me food, saying it’s for the baby. Insulting our baby would only mean that person was dead to him.

The breeze chills my cheeks, and I realize I’ve been crying. I wipe the tears and return to the house. The vibrant energy that used to feel like a cocoon is gone. It’s so big and empty without him in it.

It’s okay. He just needs some time to calm down. Then he’ll come home and we’ll have a real talk about what made him so upset.

Things will go back to the way they were.

The half-open box of saltine crackers sits on the counter, faintly accusatory. I eat a few more, because it seems like the least I can do to acknowledge Liam’s effort. They settle well in my belly.

See? Another sign that he isn’t really gone. He’s just upset. Every couple has fights along the way.

But he doesn’t return. I stay up until well past bedtime, then finally lie down in the dark, staring at the ceiling.

–Me: Where are you? Are you okay? I’m waiting for you at home. Whenever you want to talk, I’m here.

I send the text and wait for a response. He’s always so quick to reply. Or maybe…

Maybe he’s already at the door and he’s going to walk in like he did earlier. I hold my breath and listen. Please…!

But there’s nothing. I sigh, deflating like a popped balloon. I might as well have sent the text into the void.

I toss and turn all night. Can’t find a comfortable position. The bed’s either too cold or too warm or too…something. If Liam were here, he’d know what to do. And it’d probably involve holding me in his arms and crooning to me in that low raspy voice I adore.

I send him another text, but there’s still no response. I’d like to tell myself that the phone battery died, but I know better.

Fine, if he doesn’t want to talk, I’ll figure this out myself.

He’s been upset since the day he brought me the crystallized ginger and tea. So… what are the possibilities? Not an encounter with Auric and Elita. They wouldn’t strike him in ways that would make him leave me.

Brielle.

My heart turns to ice. My dear, dear half-sister has been too quiet, which isn’t like her. She should’ve made a move or two by now. But…would Liam fall for her? That seems ludicrous. He saw through her tricks before. She isn’t sophisticated enough to fool him, no matter what she does.

And Deena… No. She wouldn’t act directly against him. She’s a sneaky snake. She’d use Brielle to do her dirty work.

So what now?

–Me: Liam, please. I really want to know what happened so I can fix it.

Half an hour later, there’s still nothing. I have no idea where he is, but he isn’t coming—

He won’t come back as long as I’m here. The thought is incredibly sorrowful, on par with the pain I suffered after Mom’s death. He used to come home with a big grin, would feel bad when he couldn’t arrive early enough for us to share dinner and cuddle. And a strange sense of loneliness gripped me whenever I couldn’t spend time with him.

I shake my head. When did such a routine become so natural? But if somebody asked me if I wanted to cut it out, I’d vehemently protest.

I run my finger over the Rubedo. He didn’t take back the rings. So…this isn’t over.

But first, I want him to have his own space back. He shouldn’t have to lose his home because of me.

I pack my things into the same suitcase I used the day I moved in. Everything fits just like it did before, like the last several weeks never happened. This is what I wanted—to remain untouched while I executed my revenge. But now it feels…empty. Like I never truly deserved a place in Liam’s life.