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That earned him a smirk before I reached down and gave him a quick rub. After fixing my lips, coating it with blush-tinted crème lipstick and peach lip gloss, we left my room to go downstairs and join the rest of the party.
My long, black dress had a corset-like, fitted bodice that had a flowing bottom made of silk chiffon with a delicate slit on the side. My hair cascaded across my shoulders, adorned with a freshwater pearl clip on the left side of my hair. I knew I looked great—well, I had certainly made sure to appear extraordinary because I believed in the theory that human beings loved anything that was beautiful. Besides, what a fantastic way to tell Edith to kindly fuck herself by being so sensational it let her know her petty emails andMrs. Edwards campaigninghadn’t dulled my shine for a second.
I embodied indifference as though it was my second nature. It was a persona I used to keep everyone at bay, and tonight, I was grateful to have it. Even though I was a wreck and weak inside, exuding confidence was key to making them believe I was better off without having Greyson in my life.
Just as we took the last step after descending the stairs, Liam whispered encouraging words in my ear, letting me know I could absolutely do this without effort. His strength somehow influenced me, hardening my weakened heart and vulnerable mentality.
Before we entered the living room where everyone was gathered to drink and get caught up with events, Liam kissed me on the lips before we faced our small group, big smiles and all.
The first thing I noticed washim. Of course it was him. He was standing next to the fireplace, having a conversation with his dad before they noticed our presence. However, I didn’t direct my eyes nor did they dart to the figure almost attached to his hip.
I was quaking with fear by the time Brett broke off and sprinted to greet me like I was his long lost daughter. Mind you, he cupped both of my arms after his crucial bone-breaking hug, eyeing me from head to foot, shaking his head as if he hadn’t seen me in years, instead of mere weeks.
“It’s good to have you back! What’s changed?” he questioned as if he was confused and couldn’t pinpoint what it was. “Something’s different…”
I laughed nervously. “Nothing—”
“She lost weight in all the right places,” Liam interjected before winking at me.
“Ahhh, well, hell—there you go!” He laughed at himself before an elderly woman appeared out of nowhere and he introduced her as his cousin. “Brenna, this is Olivia, Laura’s one and only. Well, she’s my only daughter, too, since I suppose, I did help raise her a little,” he added jokingly, but his eyes told me otherwise.
I was consumed with love for him, wanting to reassure him I wasn’t going to ignore him the way I had ignored my mom because of Greyson. I wasn’t aware that he had been affected by it because Brett wasn’t exactly a vocal guy when it came to such things. So, for him to even mention it—let alone make a joke about it—showed me how much I meant to him.
There were a few other distant relatives of Brett’s that had come to celebrate with us. Edith’s parents were also present. Her father gave me a curt nod, however her mother simply gave me a cold, hard stare. As much as it killed me, my ingrained manners pushed me to acknowledge my mortal enemy with as little fake enthusiasm as I could show.
My heart hammered when our gazes locked, stroking that fiery hate we had for each other. “I hope you’re doing well, Edith.”
She didn’t give any response and simply looked the other way. My heart thudded wildly against my chest, knowing what I was going to do next. Greyson was right there, but I couldn’t look at him so I stared at his collar and neck. My tongue watered at the sight of his neck. It had been one of my favorite places to be—nuzzled up with my nose buried on his skin, breathing in the very essence of him. God, I loved him so much, and he would never know. Thank goodness for that. It would’ve broken me even more had he known and still married that hussy.
That was right. He wasmarried.I shouldn’t forget that very cruel fact.
“Greyson,” I said, greeting him with as little emotion as possible before I felt Liam’s arm lock on my hips and pull me away.
He guided me towards a small settee that was situated across from my mother, who was having a martini. Brett appeared out of nowhere to hand me glass of champagne.
“Thanks,” I murmured before I watched Liam take a sip of his drink.
While the rest carried on with their conversations, Brenna and my mother seemed to be entirely too keen to interrogate Liam and me, much to my chagrin and Liam’s wicked excitement. I remembered him telling me he was going to make the best performance of being an attentive lover and boyfriend of mine, and he absolutely stayed true to his promise.
ChapterFifty
“You kids looklike a very striking couple, don’t you think so?” Brenna smiled at my mom, who eyed us both with loving interest. “How long have you two dated?”
“About a year and a half now,” Liam said without blinking through his lies before gazing at me as if I was the most precious thing known to mankind. “I was already intrigued from afar, but when she smiled at me that first time, I was dazzled, blinded by her beauty. And after I asked for her number and she told me to get lost, I knew then and there I was in love. I instantly wanted to marry her and have half a dozen babies that have angelic smiles and sarcastic tongues.”
Biting the bottom of my lip, I was having such a hard time trying not to laugh at the picture he portrayed. Did he really think that? Liam was being ridiculous—funny, but ridiculous all the same. And even though I was laughing and carrying on a conversation, my sensesknewwhere he was. It was as if my body had some special detector specifically trained just to monitor him.
Though he was across the room, close to the fireplace, my ears faintly perked up to the sound of his voice. It was difficult to eavesdrop because of the distance, yet I picked up on his tone, and it was flat and monotonous. But what ticked me off was how he spoke to Edith. He would dip his head, placing it as close to her lips as possible and she would use that opportunity to caress him, kiss his cheek or whatever “loving” gesture she could think of.
Even though her make-up was impeccable, I could see the strain in her eyes. The exhaustion and her weight loss. Her hair lacked luster, and the usual easy and lively demeanor seemed forced.
For once, I came to dwell on her situation, stripping the jealousy and hate I had for her. I wondered how she was truly feeling. Was she scared? Terrified of the fact that she had declined chemotherapy and other doctors’ advice? Did she believe homeopathic therapy would help cure her sickness? And if, in some miraculous event, her illness did go in remission, would Greyson still stick to her side and really try to be married without her being sick as the main reason for them to stay married? Question after question nagged my mind as I joked about with Liam, my mother and Brenna.
Not before long, a woman dressed in all black with a white apron showed up and announced that dinner was to be served in the formal dining room. Brett occasionally hired a team consisting of a chef, kitchen helpers and waitresses to help out when he was hosting anything fancy.
Slowly, we made our way towards the formal room, which wasn’t far from where we were lounging. The long table that seated fourteen people was embellished with long, gold, tapered candles sitting on thinly stemmed crystal holders, surrounded with hanging amber-colored crystals. Deep burgundy and cream-colored carnations with red and white lilies adorned the tables. The smell of vanilla, peppermint and cinnamon made the ambiance very Christmas-y. Each place setting had names on them, and luckily, I was seated right next to Liam. Well, I thought it lucky until Greyson and Edith situated themselves right across from us.
How in God’s name was I going to enjoy the meal, let alone manage to chew and swallow the food without choking on it? I had only eaten a salad last night and half a sandwich this morning. This grand meal was something I had looked forward to ever since the smell of food had wafted through my door and hankered my diminishing appetite. A light, savory soup was served first.
