Page 33 of Broken Desires
“Jerry, calm down. She can’t just leave; it’s too late to get a plane ticket now,” my mother tries to reassure him, thinking she’s cornered us with logistics.
Liam’s counter is swift and smooth. “No need for a plane ticket. My jet’s ready whenever we are.”
“But Vanessa isn’t going anywhere, are you? You’re aware of the consequences,” Mom says, her voice laced with a warning about my grandfather’s college fund.
“Oh, are you referring to her grandfather’s funds?” Liam’s words catch my mother off guard, her face draining of color. “Yes, Nessa shared that with me. A real class act,” he remarks, the sarcasm in his tone unmistakable.
“This is a family matter. It doesn’t concern you,” my mother snaps, attempting to reclaim some ground.
Liam remains unfazed. “I agree, it shouldn’t involve me. And now, it won’t involve you either. John Sterling from Sterling & March LLP has been appointed as the fund’s custodian on behalf of Vanessa. You’ll find the official court documents in your mail tomorrow morning. Though the bank has already been notified, so I’d imagine your access is now restricted.”
My mother’s response is a series of incoherent attempts to speak, her shock rendering her speechless. Meanwhile, my father, with a mix of disbelief and urgency, pushes his chair back with such force it falls back, and he storms off to the home office, presumably to check the veracity of Liam’s claim.
Liam’s gentle squeeze on my hand draws my gaze back to him. Go pack, he signs, a calm command in the midst of the unfolding chaos.
I can’t leave you with them, I sign back, hesitant to leave him alone with my mother and Lily, who are now directing their frustration at him.
Trust me, I’ve dealt with worse. Go. I’ll be waiting, he reassures me, his composure unwavering.
Rising from my chair, I cast one last glance at Liam, his confidence bolstering my resolve. I hurry upstairs, my mind racing with the events unfolding. This feels too surreal, like a dream I’m afraid to wake from, dreading the crash back to reality.
The house is in an uproar as I come down with my bag, but amid the mayhem, Liam’s presence is a calming force. He nods toward the door, and we head out, leaving the chaos behind. My mother steps into my path as we’re about to leave.
“You’ll regret turning your back on your family for a fling, Vanessa. This is another cardinal sin.”
I pause, a bitter laugh escaping me. “What’s one more, Mother? Just add it to my tab,” I retort, the words laced with a weariness born of years of judgment.
Liam leads me to the car, and as we drive away, the reality of leaving my tumultuous family life behind begins to sink in.
In the quiet of the car, watching the familiar fade into the night, a single thought occupies my mind, How can I not fall for Liam Ashford? His strength and kindness tonight, against the backdrop of my family’s disapproval, only deepened my feelings for him.
As we reach the airfield and the jet that promises a return to Silverbrook, I realize this may be the start of something more than just an escape—it could be the beginning of everything.
Chapter 12
Liam
Reflecting on the day’s events, from the moment I woke up to now, sitting across from Vanessa in my private jet, I can’t help but acknowledge the utter insanity of it all. My actions, especially where Vanessa is concerned, teeter on the brink of madness. Yet there’s something undeniably exhilarating about this chaos, a thrilling blend of fear and excitement that I’ve never experienced before.
As we soar above the clouds, the quiet hum of the jet engines is the only sound, a stark contrast to the chaos of her family’s house we left behind. Watching Vanessa, there’s a peacefulness to her now, a difference from the tension that radiated from her just an hour ago. It’s a reminder of why every seemingly mad decision today felt entirely right.
Each decision, each action taken today, wasn’t just a gamble; it was a statement—a declaration that I’m unequivocally in her corner, no matter the cost.
She is more than a friend, the voice in my head chimes, and I want to smother it.
As she sits there, lost in thought, biting her lip, I realize this is precisely where I need to be. I lean forward, softly brushing her hand to catch her attention.
She turns, her eyes meeting mine, clouded with thoughts. “What’s on your mind?” I ask gently.
“I’m not a whore,” she blurts out, her voice sounding frustrated and hurt.
Her words catch me off guard, and I lean back slightly. “I— What?”
She sighs, shaking her head as if to dispel the harsh words. “My sister implied I’ve been… with many guys. That’s not true.”
I pause, trying to push away the anger her family’s words sparked in me. “Nessa, that’s irrelevant. I don’t care about that. I wasn’t exactly waiting around either,” I admit, trying to lighten the mood.
She studies me for a moment, her gaze intense, weighing my words and perhaps what they mean to us.