At night, she woke up and he was gone. She looked down at herself and she was still wrapped inside a sheet. Naked. She took off the covers and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

Turning on the warm water, she looked in the mirror and realized that Liam finally knows. And she was scared to confront him. To even look at him. She looked pale from all the crying she did earlier. Her eyes were swollen and her lips were puffy and pink. She sighed at her appearance and got in the shower, washed all the unwiped makeup off, debating in her head if she should cover it up again or no.

When she was clean, she got out and looked at herself again in the mirror wit all her scars exposed. Picking up the foundation, she looked at herself again and decided against it and walked out to the walk-in closet. Picking up a striped black and white, full-sleeved turtleneck to wear and a pair of black tights with white shoes.

Making her way down, she saw Liam talking on the phone. He paced around and said"I need every bit of information about everyone. Every little detail and every little weakness, got it?" His head turned at Emily on mid stairs as he stopped and said: "I'll call you back." And he hung up the phone walked up the stairs. Making his way to her.

He asked"Hungry?" She was still uncomfortable with Liam knowing everything. With Liam seeing everything and gave him a single hesitant nod. He smiled a little and held her hand saying"Let's go then." She tugged in his hand lightly and asked"Where?"

"To get some food in you."

He took her to her favorite fast food. Burgers.

As she sat there waiting for him, a red tray slipped in front of her. There was a large strawberry milkshake, cheeseburger, and large cheese fries. He sat opposite her, a water bottle in front of him. She looked at him and asked, "You're not eating?" He replied, "I've already eaten already."

"When?"

"While you were sleeping."

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You were sleeping peacefully. I did not want you to lose that peace."

As he took a sip from his bottle, she stared at her food, playing with her fries. He asked"Not hungry?"

"I don't really have an appetite right now."

Truth was, she was embarrassed. The way he stared at her naked in the morning. The way his eyes scanned her body marks.

I could still see the marks on her body. The visible light mark on the back of her hand.

She caught me staring and pulled down her sleeve. But that wasn't enough. Because her naked marked body was imprinted in my mind. I couldn't get it out of my mind... I couldn't forget how the scars on her skin felt like.

A little far, two couples entered the diner. Laughing out loud.

Emily looked past Liam and it was Tanya with another guy. Looked like she was on a date. But Tanya saw her.

Emily pulled her head down and Liam noticed something wrong. He whispered, "You okay?" As she looked at Liam, he saw fear-filled in her eyes. And that's when he knew something was wrong. A word escaped her mouth like air"Tanya." And he got her signal. He held her hand over the table and whispered"Quick, sit beside me." She did as she was told.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in. Laying her head on his chest. He took her left hand and rested her palm against his chest. As Tanya approached them, he held her a little tighter and kissed on her head, making her feel like he had covered her with a protective shield from everything evil.

Tanya looked at them, her arms around a cute guy's waist. She smiled and said"Oh My God, Emily, and Liam. Didn't thought I'd find you guys here." Her acting was solid. Oscar-worthy.

Liam smiled and answered"What a coincidence, Tanya." She looked at Emily and asked, "Can we join?" Emily looked at Liam and he replied through his fake smile" Of course."

They both sat opposite each other. Tanya asked"Emily, why are you wearing a sweater? It's not cold." Liam remained quiet. She looked at their food and again said: "You guys haven't touched your food." She sounded like she was interrogating them. She again asked, "You look pale, Emily. Are you okay?"

Liam answered"She's under the weather. She's been feeling sick today."

"Awww, shouldn't she stay at home?" She glared at Emily and said, "In a room?" Liam replied, "Well she has me to take care of her." He squeezed Emily's hand lightly to calm her more as he felt her body shivering. Tanya laughed nervously"I meant warm and cozy, silly."

"Yeah but my wife likes to be here. In her favorite diner. With her favorite food. To make her feel a little better."

"Poor Emily. Always sick."

He looked at her and asked"Always?"

"She always gets sick whenever she's stressed about something... or scared. Did you not know?"

"How could I? I'm just getting to know my wife."

Every time Liam refereed Emily as his wife, Tanyas eyes filled with jealousy which made him satisfied. Emily was quiet. She didn't even speak a word.

Liam said, "Aren't you going to introduce us to your date?" Emily looked at the guy and Tanya said"This is Sam Daniels. His father is the founder of Daniel fabrics."

Rich man, with a background of loaded money, was always Tanyas target.

Liam spoked as he knew him"Sam, How is your father, Erwin Daniel?" The guy smiled and said, "He's fine, thank you."

"Glad to hear it. I love that guy. I have fun doing business with him."

"Thanks, Mr?"

"Knight. Liam Knight."

Sam's eyes widened. "Knight as in Knight Enterprise?" Liam smiled"The very one."

He gulped and said, "H-how're you Mr.Knight?" Liam smiled and said"Pretty awesome." Tanya cut them both off and said: "What are you guys doing here?" Liam looked at Emily and kissed her hand saying"We were here on a date."

"Were?"

"Leaving now."

"So soon?"

"Yes, she's not feeling well. Might as well take her home."

"Hope you get well soon, Emily."

"Thank you. With my care, I know she will."

The thing about Tanya was that she wanted Liam. He's what she wanted. Rich, handsome and the world feared by him. She wanted him. And she hated Emily for having him.

When Emily and Liam got up, he had his arm around her waist and holding her hand with his other hand as they walked out, supporting her.

The parking lot was empty with only his car and another car parked.

As they walked to his car, he asked: "You okay?" She nodded weakly. Not saying anything.

He stopped in front of his car. Looking at her. He cupped her face with his palms and kissed her. Passionately. Her hands automatically slid around his waist as she kissed him back. He whispered against her lips"Are you sure?" she nodded and he led her to the passenger side, opening the car door for her as well. She sat in and he strapped her in, he said: "You don't have to be afraid as long as you have me standing with you." And closed the car door, Emily looked at Tanya and saw her staring at them both. Angry. Emily Understood. He kissed her to make her angry. Because she couldn't handle Emily being happy with anyone.

As Liam sat in the car his face was like stone, emotionless. Like nothing happened. Emily looked at him and said in a low voice"Thank you." He didn't do anything. Nor even looked at her. He just started the car and drove off.

As they were driving home, the drive was silent. The only sound Liam could hear was of her breathing. He looked at her and she was playing with her hands. He asked, "What's on your mind?" She quickly said"Nothing."

"Emily..."

"It's really nothing."

He stopped the car on the side of the road and looked at her. Her eyes widened. He asked, "What is it?"

"Nothing."

He raised his brow and asked again"Are you sure, Emily?" Her words shivering"I-I am." But he knew she was lying.

He said"Emily I know there's something and if you don't tell me then you're walking home from here. And it's an hour walk." Instantly the car doors locked. Trapping her in, he said"But I'm not gonna give you that option. The only choice you have is to tell me. Here and now."

His expressions were comfortable and somewhat scary. She began speaking" How... did you know about... me?" He exhaled through his nose and said while his eyes lightly closed"Curtis." Her brows furrowed because Liam finding out from Curtis was not something she imagined. Not even in her wildest imagination. She asked in disbelieve"He told you?"

"Yes, he told me everything."

"Everything?"

A tear escaped her eye and drooled down her cheek. He added, "I'm glad he did."

"And if he hadn't? What would you have done? You would've kept treating me like the same... Am I right?"

He paused for a second and gave her question a long thought before answering truthfully and boldly"Yes, you are." Her tears started running down more as she said"Just let me go, Liam. Please. I wanna get away from here. From everything."

"How can you do that Emily? After everything, they did to you, and you wanna run away?"

"I'm not strong enough to fight back. I never was."

"Now it's time to be. You need to be strong. You need to show them how brave you are."

She scoffed"Brave? Sitting frozen in your arms and pale in front of Tanya was not bravery."

"One step at a time, Em."

"Why're you even helping me? Why?"

He wished he could say:

Because I'm falling for you?

He just looked at her. Nothing but an uncomfortable silence between them. He chose not to answer her question and turned the key in his ignition, starting the car again and driving off.

•••••••

The way he helped Emily with that Tanya situation 😍

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Bye!

Love, Hope

♥️♥️

(Edited)

EDIT: A note for you all who think I am mental in the head, the only reason why I am impressed by Liam in this chapter is that he did not have to help her. He could've chosen not to. But he did. He protected her. Yes, he almost raped her. Almost. But keep that in mind that he was also drunk that night. and yes being drunk doesn't do justice to his action but try to understand their situation.