Chapter 16 #2
Just then, I feel a hand on my back as Liam slides in beside me. I stay silent, letting him take the lead. I’ve said everything I needed to. Whatever he chooses to do now is on him.
“Isabel… I’m sorry,” he begins, his voice deceptively soft.
I say nothing, too furious to respond. Noah shattered my heart, and Liam, he’s no better.
He slides his hand under my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his cool, blue eyes. “Bella, look at me. I said I’m sorry. You can’t just walk away from me like this. You belong here… with me.”
“I heard you the first time,” I whisper, tears streaming down my face, hating how his words make my chest tighten.
“Are you mad at me?” he asks, his voice unsteady, like he already knows the answer and is bracing for it.
“Mad isn’t the word I’d use,” I say quietly. “Betrayed fits better. Heartbroken too.” The courage I’ve been choking down finally surfaces as I push myself to my feet and face him.
He exhales, shaking his head slightly, like I’m being unreasonable.
“You’re blowing this out of proportion, Bella,” he says softly. “You’re hurt, I get that, but you’re not seeing this clearly.”
My hands tremble, but I keep going. “The only thing I can think about is why. Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me you knew Noah at Olivia’s party? And why didn’t you tell Sydney about that night-”
He cuts me off, “Because it didn’t matter,” he says firmly, like that settles it. “You’re the one I was with. You’re the one I chose. You’re letting everyone else get in your head and twist this into something it’s not.”
My chest tightens. I know what he’s doing-and somehow, it still hurts just as much.
“You’re right. I should’ve told you,” he says, his voice cracking just enough to sound sincere. “I should have told you, and I should have shut him down at the party, especially knowing he was still with Sydney. And yeah, I should’ve told Sydney too.”
He drags a hand through his hair, letting the confession hang there for a beat before twisting it.
“But I didn’t,” he continues, stepping closer, lowering his voice like this is something only I’m meant to hear. “Because I thought he’d go away. I thought if I ignored it, if I protected us, he would just… disappear.”
His eyes lock onto mine, intense, almost accusing.
“But he won’t,” Liam says. “Because he loves you. And I saw that before you ever did.”
He shakes his head slowly, like this is somehow my fault.
“I was trying to save you from that. From him. And now I’m the bad guy?”
The words settle heavy in my chest… an apology wrapped in blame, guilt dressed up as concern.
“Maybe not in a romantic way,” he says quickly, like he’s being generous, “but in some way he loves you. I think he always will.” His voice hardens. “And I think– whether you want to admit it or not – you’ll always love him too.”
He exhales, pacing like he’s the one carrying the burden here.
“I’m trying to come to terms with the fact that the girl I love will always have this garbage excuse for a human tied to her life. Someone who completely ruined my sister,” he adds pointedly. “And honestly? I think he ruined you too.”
That one lands hard.
“You’re not the same person anymore,” Liam continues, eyes locked on mine. “You were different before him. I’ve heard how you were before he broke you. Softer. Happier. And I can’t stop wondering why he got the best version of you… and I get this.”
The words hit like a slap to the face-sharp, humiliating, and meant to make me doubt myself.
This.
“Wow,” I choke out. “You really have a way with words, Liam. Thank you for finally letting me know what you really think of me.” Tears stream down my face as I force out the last of my breath. “This. Whatever this was – it’s done.”
My side is throbbing now, so badly I feel like I might vomit. His words burn through me like a searing knife, cutting deeper than the physical pain ever could.
“I’m going to go,” I whisper, already turning away.
“Isabel, wait… I didn’t mean it… ” Liam shouts after me.
I keep walking, hobbling down the walkway just as the sky finally breaks open, cold Florida rain pouring down like it’s trying to wash away the past few days.
The door opens behind me. It’s Cori. I hear her voice in the distance, sharp and furious as she lays into Liam.
But he was right about one thing.
Noah did get a different piece of me.
And I wasn’t sure I’d ever get that version of myself back.
Thankfully, Noah left not shortly after me and picked me up on the side of the road.
We drove the rest of the way back to my house in silence. We walk into my house, my dad waiting expectantly.
“You look like hell, honey,” my dad says gently. “Noah.. your dad called. They’re out of town. You’re more than welcome to stay here tonight.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I mumble. “I don’t feel great. I’m going to shower… try to warm up.” I start upstairs before anyone can argue.
Under the spray of hot water, I let it hit my side, hoping to dull the pain. It doesn’t. It gets worse. My ears begin to ring, a high-pitched scream that makes my head spin.
My knees give out. I collapse to the floor of the shower, curling into myself as the pain tears through me. I barely manage to turn my head before I start vomiting, my body shaking uncontrollably.
Somehow, I get the water off. Somehow, I get a robe on. The ringing grows louder, so loud it feels like it’s inside my skull.
“Dad,” I try to call, my voice barely there. Panic surges.
“DAD! NOAH! Somebody help –”
The world tilts.Then everything goes black.