Chapter 4
Chapter 4
“Remind me why I shouldn’t call the police for this... blatant harassment?” he asked, smirking as he savored his whiskey.
Standing by the bar, he watched her drown herself in alcohol. It wasn’t the image she wanted him to see, but what choice did she
have?
“Harassment?” Izzy scoffed, before tossing back the whiskey he poured her, downing it in one swift motion.
The burn in her throat didn’t even register as she slammed the capty glass on the table. Her vision blurred slightly, but she didn’t
care. The alcohol was the only thing keeping her from falling apart. She’s a mess. She felt like a mess. She looked like
a mess.
“And stalking.” Liam said, his voice dripping with amusement. “That’s a crime, isn’t it?”
For a moment, Izzy was tempted to knock that smirk off his face. “I already told you-
“Yeah, yeah, you caught your boyfriend cheating. You’ve mentioned it three times already,” he interrupted, casually swirling the
whiskey in his glass. “But how do I know that’s the truth? Maybe you’re just here to spy on me and my projects. We are
rivals, after all, aren’t we?”
Izzy snorted, grabbing another glass of whiskey. She should’ve known what to expect when she saw him. Liam Horvath wasn’t
the type to show sympathy–he’d rather talk business than show a shred of concern.
“Slow down. Liam’s voice broke through the haze, his tone more of an order than a suggestion.
Izzy snapped her head toward him, her eyes narrowing, “What do you care?” she spat, her voice sharp. “You must be loving this.
You’re probably laughing at me right now,” She attempted to walk towards him but felt her world start spinning. A curse. left her
lips.
Liam chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent a shiver through her despite her anger. “You’re right,” he said, leaning back against
the bar. his eyes locked on hers. “You do look pathetic right now. Definitely not the Izzy I remember growing up with.”
The words hit hard, cutting through her drunken haze like a knife. She hated him at that moment–hated how he could always
push her buttons. Her glare intensified as she composed herself. The room tilted slightly as she did. But she didn’t back down.
She never did with Liam.
Seeing her current state, Liam chuckled.
“Oh, screw you, Liam,” she snapped. “Stop laughing at me.”
He didn’t flinch. Didn’t react to her outburst. Instead, he took a step toward her, closing the space between them in one fluid
motion. Izzy could feel the heat radiating off him, the tension crackling between them like a live wire.
Izzy clenched her fists at her sides, feeling the pulse of anger mixed with something else–something she didn’t want to
acknowledge.
Before Izzy could turn her head away, Liam’s hand shot out, his fingers gripping her chin firmly, forcing her to look at him. His
eyes were sharp, cutting through the space between them with a mix of frustration and something darker.
g over another man?”
The words hit her like a slap. Izzy’s chest tightened. Anger surged up her throat. She gritted her teeth, her pulse pounding in her
ears. The last thing she wanted was to feel vulnerable in front of him, of all people. Not now. Not when she had chosen to walk
away from him all those years ago, forcing her grandfather to end their engagement the moment she met Calen.
“Isn’t it pathetic,” he said, his voice low and taunting. “How the woman I’m supposed to marry is crying
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Chapter 4
Here she was–standing in front of Liam, falling apart like some weak, broken mess. For a moment, she thought maybe falling off
the side of the building would be easier than this. But then she remembered what she had seen and heard earlier. and anger
flared inside her like a lava about to explode. No. Facing Liam was better than letting those people get away with their betrayal
Izzy’s eyes burned. She jerked her chin free from his grip. She wouldn’t let them get away with it! Izzy’s breath came out sharp
as she stared at Liam, her anger boiling over. Her mind was spinning from the alcohol and from everything she had just endured.
Driven purely by rage, she blurted out the words that surprised even herself. “Then Marry me.”
For a moment, she couldn’t believe what had just come out of her mouth. Why was she speaking before her brain could catch
up! She silently blamed the alcohol.
She hadn’t meant to say it, but once they were out, she couldn’t take them back. She was too angry, too hurt, and too far
gone to cute.
Liam’s expression froze for a split second, his eyes widening just enough to show he hadn’t expected that. His laughter started
low, rumbling deep in his throat before crupting fully. It was a laugh filled with disbelief, amusement, and maybe a little mockery.
“Marry you?” he repeated, still laughing. His eyes danced with amusement as if she’d just told the most ridiculous joke.
Izzy’s jaw tightened, her fingers digging into her palms as she glared at him. The sound of his laughter ortly fueled the fire inside
her. She felt her heart beating faster, her pulse thrumming with adrenaline. Fine. He wanted to laugh: Let him laugh!
“Yeah,” she said, her voice stronger this time, her chin lifting in defiance. “Marry me.”
Liam’s laughter trailed off, his expression sobering. He stared at her, the amusement fading from his face as the seriousness of
her tone finally hit him. His eyes narrowed slightly, studying her as if he was trying to figure out what game she was playing
reckless, and desperate for some kind of release from the storm swirling inside her.
“You think this is funny?” she snapped, her voice trembling. “Today was supposed to be my anniversary with Calen. I was
supposed to give him everything tonight–everything” She took a breath, steadying herself. Then, with slow, deliberate
movements, she reached up and unbuttoned her coat, sliding it off her shoulders. The soft fabric fell to the floor, revealing the
sultry lingerie she had chosen just for Calen.
Liam’s eyes flickered with something unreadable as they moved over her. He didn’t say anything, didn’t move, just watched her,
his gaze hardening.
Izzy met his eyes, her anger and vulnerability battling inside her, but she didn’t look away, she couldn’t.. “Marry me,” she
repeated, her voice daring him, challenging him. “You’re always there, always reminding me of what I gave up. So why don‘ you
just take it? Marry me and be done with it!”
Liam’s jaw clenched. His eyes darkened, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt heavy, thick with
unspoken words, old memories, and years of unresolved tension.
However, Izzy held his gaze, refusing to back down. She didn’t know if she meant it or if she was just trying to make him fer
something–anything. But in that moment, she wanted to see if he would rise to the challenge, if he would take the bait.
Liam stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His eyes locked onto hers. He didn’t laugh. He didn’t mock her
Instead, he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin, his voice low and controlled.
“Is that what you really want, Izzy?” Her name rolled off his lips, the sound making her heart skip. He stepped closer, his gaze
never leaving hers. “Because if you say it again,” his voice deepened. “I won’t be laughing.”
Izzy’s heart raced, her pulse thundering in her ears. She hadn’t expected this. She hadn’t expected hinr to take her seriously
Chapter 4
For the first time, Izzy hesitated, but she didn’t step back. She h anger and something else something raw and undeniable.
And in that moment, she realized, maybe she wasn’t joking afici
She swallowed hard. Then before she could think about everyth
SEND GIFT
Chapter 4
For the first time, Izzy hesitated, but she didn’t step back. She anger and something else–something raw and undeniable.
And in that moment, she realized, maybe she wasn’t joking aft
She swallowed hard. Then before she could think about every
13:10 Wed, Jan 1 Gr
Chapter 4
For the first time, Izzy hesitated, but she didn’t step back. She held her ground, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mess of anger
and something else–something raw and undeniable,
And in that moment, she realized, maybe she wasn’t joking after all.
She swallowed hard. Then before she could think about everything else, she uttered. “Marry me.”