Chapter 4: Obsessing

"Am really sorry for what I did to you in the past," Sofia said, her voice trembling. "I was deceived and blinded. Please, can you forgive me? Can you give me a second chance? I'll make up for my mistakes." She pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears.

Liam's face turned even colder, his expression unyielding. The air around them seemed to chill, heavy with tension.

"Why are you asking for a second chance from me, Sofia?" Liam spat, his tone venomous. "You, who despised me, hurt me, and humiliated me? What makes you think I'll forgive you easily?"

Sofia's heart shattered at his words, but she knew she deserved them.

her tears flowed freely, but Liam's gaze remained unmoved.

leaving her shattered.

"The past is the past," Liam continued, his voice devoid of emotion. "My love for you is in the past. I don't love you anymore. I don't want to see you again. Get out."

The chill in his voice sent shivers down Sofia's spine. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut.

"But...Liam, please," Sofia begged, tears streaming down her face. "I know I hurt you, but I've realized my mistakes. I want to make it right."

Liam's expression remained unyielding, his eyes cold.

"Realized your mistakes?" he repeated, his voice laced with sarcasm. "You've realized too late. I've moved on, Sophia. I don't need your apologies or your regrets."

Sophia's world crumbled around her. She had expected anger, but not this...this absolute rejection.

"Get out," Liam repeated, his voice firm.

Sophia nodded, defeated, but she stood there.

As she stared at him pleadingly, Liam's words cut through her like a knife:

"And Sofia?"

She look up, hope flickering.

"Never come to me again."

Sophia stumbled backward, as she turned to leave, her legs trembling beneath her. She grasped the doorframe to steady herself, her vision blurring through tears.

"Get out," Liam repeated, his voice firm, his eyes cold.

Sofia nodded, defeated, and turned to leave. The door slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing through the hallway like a death sentence.

She collapsed onto the floor, her body wracked with sobs. The weight of Liam's rejection crushed her.

Sofia's mind reeled as she wept uncontrollably. How could she have been so blind? She had hurt Liam, the one person who truly loved her, and now he was gone.

"Why did I let Julian manipulate me?" Sofia thought, her heart heavy with regret. "Why did I push Liam away?"

Memories of Liam's warmth, his kindness, and his unwavering devotion flooded her mind. She recalled the way he smiled at her, the way his eyes sparkled with love.

Sofia's thoughts swirled with self-reproach:

"I was so cruel to him. I humiliated him, rejected him... How can he ever forgive me?"

As she sobbed, Sofia realized:

"I don't deserve Liam's forgiveness. But I need to make things right, for myself and for him."

A glimmer of determination formed within her.

Sofia's tears eventually subsided, exhaustion taking over. She curled up on the cold floor, her body shaking with occasional sobs.

As the as minutes passed, her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted into a fitful sleep. Her mind, still reeling with emotions, conjured up fragmented dreams.

In her dreams, Liam's face haunted her - his eyes, once full of love, now cold and distant. Julian's mocking smile lingered, fueling her guilt.

Sofia's sleep was restless, her body twitching with every painful memory.

The door of the study room slowly creaked open. Liam stepped out, his eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway.

His gaze fell upon Sofia, curled up on the floor, her delicate form bathed in the faint moonlight streaming through the windows.

For a moment, Liam's expression softened. He had thought he'd extinguished his feelings for Sofia, but the sight of her vulnerable form stirred something within him.

He approached her quietly, his footsteps muffled by the carpet.

Sofia's face, even in sleep, showed signs of tears and anguish. Liam's heart twinged, despite his resolve to remain indifferent.

He stood over her, his eyes tracing the contours of her face, remembering the laughter, the smiles, and the love they once shared.

Liam's thoughts swirled:

"Why is she still here?"

"Did she truly think I'd forgive her?"

But as he gazed at Sophia's peaceful face, Liam's anger began to dissipate, replaced by a glimmer of curiosity.

Liam bent down, his movements fluid and gentle. He scooped Sofia into his arms, lifting her off the cold floor.

As he cradled her, Sofia's head lolled against his chest, her face tilting upward. Her lips parted slightly, releasing a soft sigh.

Liam's gaze fell upon her face, and for an instant, he forgot his anger, his hurt, and his resolve. He forgot everything except the woman in his arms.

He felt a pang in his chest, a flutter in his pulse. The familiarity of holding Sofia close stirred long-dormant emotions.

Without thinking, Liam turned toward the staircase, carrying Sofia to her room.

As he climbed the stairs, Sofia's hand slipped from her side, coming to rest on his chest. Her fingers curled slightly, as if seeking comfort.

Liam's heart skipped a beat but his eyes still cold.

Liam laid Sofia on her bed, his eyes lingering on her peaceful face. He adjusted the blankets, ensuring she was comfortable.

As he stepped back, a figure watched from the shadows - Mrs. Jenkins, the house butler

Mrs. Jenkins's expression softened, witnessing Liam's gentle care. She had seen the depths of Sofia's regret and Liam's pain.

"A change of heart, Master Liam?" Mrs. Jenkins whispered, her voice barely audible.

Liam turned, his eyes narrowing. "No, Mrs. Jenkins. Just ensuring she doesn't catch a chill."

Mrs. Jenkins nodded, though her eyes sparkled with skepticism. She knew Liam's very well but his sudden care for Sophia means he still has lingering love for her. she smiled.

Her phone buzzed with a scheming tone, shrill in the evening silence. Sofia woke up with a start, her gaze drifting to the caller ID. Rachel, her step-sister, flashed on the screen.

Sofia's expression turned ugly, her lips curling into a snarl. She hesitated for a moment before answering, deciding to pretend ignorance as if she doesn't know what going on between Julian and her step sister.

"Sophia speaking!" Sophia chimed, forcing a sugary sweetness into her tone, masking her disgust and regrate.

"Hey, sis!" Rachel's voice dripped with artificial warmth, grating on Sofia's nerves. "How's life treating you?"

Sofia's grip on her phone tightened, her nails digging into her palm. "Oh, it's fabulous, Rach! Just peachy." Her saccharine tone belied the venom coursing through her veins.

"I'm glad to hear that," Rachel said, oblivious to Sofia's sarcasm. "I was worried about you after...everything."

Sofia's eyes narrowed. "Everything?" she repeated, her voice laced with innocence, daring Rachel to elaborate.

someone said he saw you and Liam last night.

"You know, Julian and...well, Liam," Rachel elaborated, her tone cautious, testing Sofia's reaction.

Sofia's expression twisted in disgust. How dare Rachel mention Liam's name?

"Rach, what do you want?" Sofia asked, her patience wearing thin, her tone dripping with annoyance.

"Actually, I was thinking we could meet up for lunch," Rachel suggested, her tone breezy, pretending she's a good caring sister. her complicated relationship with her sisters fiancee didn't exist. "Catch up on some fun, Julian really miss you but he said you are not picking up his calls."

Sofia's laughter was tinged with bitterness. "You expect me to believe that?" you heartless schemer, she thought in her heart.

Rachel's pause was palpable. "Sofia, I know things got complicated between you and Liam, but I'm worried about you. You're not...obsessing over Liam again, are you?"