She admitted with a smile, “Of course, I’ve always been confident in my own abilities, but I won’t deny that Liam has done a lot for me. And I completely deserve his devotion.”
Her poised and self-assured response earned the admiration of the crowd.
Someone asked, “Could you share a story about how you and Liam supported each other during tough times?”
Linda’s smile suddenly froze.
A strange silence filled the air, stretching time thin.
After a long pause, Liam let out a soft chuckle and took the microphone.
“There’s nothing to talk about. Our memories are just for the two of us.”
A sharp sting rose in my heart.
I tightened my grip on the pen, lowering my head in a flustered attempt to hide my emotions.
The moment I closed my eyes, the past came rushing back.
Back when we were younger, Liam’s rebellious nature made him plenty of enemies.
After he fell from grace, some of them came looking for trouble.
I tried to shield him and was shoved down the steps, landing hard, covered in scrapes and blood.
The sight must have rattled them, because they quickly scattered in a panic.
I gritted my teeth, forced myself up, and pretended nothing had happened as I walked back to him.
“Come on, let’s go home.”
But Liam suddenly grabbed my hand.
“You’re hurt. We’re going to the hospital.”
“I’m not…”
“I can smell blood!”
His voice suddenly rose, and tears slipped from his clouded eyes, like fallen stars covered in dust.
With arms that weren’t particularly strong, he pulled me into a tight embrace.
But the name he called out wasn’t mine.
“Linda, when I recover, I’ll give you the grandest wedding in the world.”
…
By the time the interview ended, the sky had darkened.
Outside the venue, rain fell in a fine, steady curtain.
Wade patted his pocket before turning to me again.
“Chloe, I left the memory card inside. Go grab it.”
I stepped onto the damp pavement and jogged back.
