Chapter 100: Shadows of the Past

Ava's POVWe arrived at the office to find Liam already engrossed in a conversation, his brow furrowed in concentration, his voice a low rumble that hinted at a serious discussion.As I approached, I noticed his phone pressed to his ear, his expression hardening as he listened to the voice on the other end. He noticed my arrival, his eyes meeting mine with a flicker of apprehension."Excuse me," he said to the person on the phone, his voice clipped. "I need to take this."He stepped away, his long strides carrying him towards the privacy of his office. I watched him go, a knot of worry tightening in my stomach. Something was wrong.Sarah entered the room, her usually cheerful demeanor replaced by a look of concern. "Ava," she said, her voice hushed, "Liam just got a call from Blackwood Manor. Something's going on."My heart sank. Blackwood Manor. Liam's childhood home, a place shrouded in mystery and whispered rumors. I had never heard Liam speak of his family, and his reluctance to discuss them had always hinted at a troubled past."What's wrong with his family?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Sarah hesitated, her gaze filled with a mix of empathy and reluctance. "Liam had a... difficult childhood," she began, her voice soft. "His parents were distant, emotionally unavailable. He was raised by nannies and tutors, surrounded by luxury but starved of affection."She paused, her eyes meeting mine with a sadness that mirrored my own. "He was lonely, Ava. And that loneliness made him vulnerable, susceptible to manipulation."My heart ached for Liam, for the young boy who had been denied the love and support he deserved. It explained so much – his guarded nature, his cynicism, his fear of vulnerability."And Isabella?" I asked, the name leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.Sarah nodded. "She took advantage of his loneliness, his desire for connection. She pretended to be interested in him, in his dreams, but it was all a facade. She was only interested in his money, his status."The betrayal, Sarah explained, had shattered Liam's trust, leaving him with deep scars that had taken years to heal. He had retreated from his family, from the world, convinced that he would never find genuine love or acceptance."He rarely visits Blackwood Manor," Sarah continued, her voice filled with regret. "He's tried to distance himself from the pain, the memories."But now, with the news of our relationship splashed across the headlines, the past had come back to haunt him."His grandfather, Henry Blackwood, is furious," Sarah explained. "He's demanding that Liam break things off with you, that he marry someone 'worthy' of the Blackwood name."I felt a surge of anger, a protectiveness towards Liam that mirrored his own fierce loyalty. How dare his grandfather judge me, dismiss our love as unworthy?But I also understood Liam's reluctance to confront his family, to reopen old wounds. He had worked so hard to build a life separate from the Blackwood legacy, to create his own identity, his own happiness.I reached for Sarah's hand, my gaze firm with determination. "We'll face this together, Sarah," I said, my voice unwavering. "Liam and I, we'll face his family, his past, and any challenge that comes our way. Because our love is stronger than any legacy, any prejudice, any attempt to tear us apart."Sarah squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with admiration. "I know you will, Ava. You're good for him. You're exactly what he needs."As I prepared to face the Blackwood family, a wave of apprehension mixed with a newfound resolve washed over me. I knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but I also knew that with Liam by my side, our love would conquer any obstacle, any challenge, any attempt to dim the light of our happiness.