The next week passed in a blur for Riley. Liam didn’t come back to their room; he didn’t answer her calls or texts. He completely ghosted her. Not that she blamed him.
She stayed away from Drake too. It just felt wrong to go to him for comfort for this. She stayed in her room, claiming she had the flu. That would explain her absence from court functions as well as the reason Liam was sleeping elsewhere.
Then suddenly there he was. In their sitting room, looking as dashing as ever and her heart constricted tightly in her chest. She wanted to run into his arms, but she was afraid to. She knew she didn’t deserve his forgiveness, but she wanted it, God, she wanted it!
What managed to come out of her mouth was, “Liam. You’re here.”
“I’m here.” He agreed, “And I have something for you.” He dropped a sheaf of papers into her hands.
She glanced down at them then back up at him, “This isn’t what I want Liam!”
“Really? Because your actions say otherwise.”
She dropped the papers then fell to the floor next to them, tears streaming down her face, “I don’t want a divorce! I love you! I swear I do! It was a mistake, I’m sorry!”
Liam turned back toward her in astonishment, “Divorce? You think I want to divorceyou?”
She lifted her head in confusion, “Don’t you?”
“No.” He said with an incredulous laugh.
“But the papers-“
He knelt next to her, “Pick them up, love, look at them.”
She did, sniffling and wiping at her eyes as she did so, “I don’t understand….what is this?”
“This is an amendment to our marriage contract. It’s called a Cordonian Arrangement. You’re not familiar with it?”
She shook her head, “No. What is it?”
“It basically opens our marriage, officially.”
She shook her head in confusion, “Opens our….what do you mean, Liam?”
He sighed, rubbing his temples, “It means that I’m agreeing, officially and in writing, that you can continue to sleep with Drake, or whoever the hell else you want to.”
“Whoever else…no, there’s no one-
“No one except Drake, you mean? And please stop lying to me.” He stood and walked away from her.
“Why would you do this?” She asked in shock.
He spun on her with pain and longing etched on every feature, “Because I love you! I want you to be happy and you’re not. As much as it pains me to admit it, Drake makes you happy in ways that I don’t.”
“That’s not true-“
“Isn’t it?”
“I…”
Liam poured himself a drink and stood for moment staring down into it before telling her, “I know that Drake wouldn’t betray me casually or lightly. There’s no way this was just about sex for him. Once I calmed down, I went back and talked to him again. Without the punching this time.”
“And?”
“And I was right.” He threw the drink back in one swallow.
“About?”
“He’s in love with you, and he’s been torturing himself about it for months. And I have to believe you’re in love with him too.” He turned back to face her, his glass clattering to the bedside table, “Because I can’t believe…I don’t believe you would betray me casually or lightly either. Am I right? Do you love him?”
She dipped her head as the tears started sliding down her cheeks again, “Yes, but I still love you-“
“I know.” He sounded sad but not angry anymore. “I realized something.”
“What?” She asked, looking up at him for her spot on the floor.
“I know that you and Drake got close during the engagement tour. I just hadn’t realized how close.” He held his hand up, “That wasn’t a criticism. The thing I realized was that the two of you were in love with each other by the time I proposed, yet you said yes. You agreed to marry me. Clearly you had a choice…and you chose me. I choose to believe that means something. I choose to believe that whatever is between you and Drake, what’s between you and I was stronger. And it’s worth saving.”
Her heart grabbed hold of what he was saying, “It is! It’s worth saving! I love you, Liam, I do! You have no idea how much!”
“You know, I always believed I’d have to marry for duty, that I would sacrifice my own happiness for Cordonia’s wellbeing. Then you came along and changed all that. I love you, and I believe you love me and I’m not giving that up. Not if there’s any chance we can fix this.”
She was afraid to hope, afraid to ask the next question, but she had to, it was the only way forward, “Can we? Even if I’m in love with both of you?”
He smiled sadly into his glass then he looked at her and asked, “Did you love both of your parents?”
Her brows knitted together, “Of course!”
“When we have children, will you love them all?” He reached over and sat his empty glass on an end table.
“What kind of question is that? Of course I will! I-“ The question confused her, but hope surged through her. He was talking about having children as if that were a foregone conclusion, as if he still saw a future for them.
He folded his hands in his lap and regarded her, “Max and Hana, your two best friends, you love them both?”
“You know I do!”
“So, you understand that you can love more than one person at a time?”
“I…” She nodded slowly, “Of course I do.” Because she was, in fact, in love with two men at the same time.
He moved to her side and dropped to the floor next to her, “Riley, as much as it hurt me, I understand why it happened. What you did wrong was hiding it, lying to me. You should have come to me immediately when I got home, told me about it, so we could have found a way through it together! Or don’t you want that anymore?”
“Of course, I want that!” She wanted to touch him, but she was afraid to. She still couldn’t believe he wasn’t leaving her, she was afraid if she reached out for him, the spell would break and he’d change his mind.
“Remember when I wasn’t honest with you? When I made decisions about our lives without consulting you?” He put an arm around her and pulled her closer.
She leaned her head onto his shoulder, “You mean what happened at the coronation ball…”
“And after. Yes.”
“Of course, I remember that. It was the worst thing that ever happened.”
“Right. And I made it all worse by keeping things from you.”
“Yes.”
“This is the same! What you did, sleeping with Drake, it hurts, but…. Lying about it, keeping secrets from me, that hurts worse! You should have come to me after and just told me.”
“I didn’t want to hurt you…”
“But you did hurt me! It was going to hurt me whenever I found out. Trust me, this way was worse. I would have rather known, rather have heard it from you.” He sighed as he leaned his head against hers.
“I’m sorry, Liam, I’m so fucking sorry!” She twisted her body, so she was more in front of rather than beside him. Her hands slid up him to rest against his chest as she squeezed her eyes shut.
His finger titled her chin up, “What made you feel like you couldn’t come to me with this?”
“I was afraid that if you knew, I’d lose you!” She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill again.
“So, you let your fear control you? What did you tell me when you finally forgave me after the coronation fiasco?”
She sniffed, “Not to let fear control you.”
He nodded and dropped his finger away from her face, “I can deal with Drake being in your life, but what I can’t deal with is the dishonesty, the lies, the deception. I have to know I can trust you to tell me the truth, even if it hurts, especially when it hurts! Can you do that?”
She nodded, fresh tears running down her face.
“Riley, this hurts, but I love you and I’m willing to work through this, if you are.” He placed his hands over hers.
She nodded again as she wiped away her tears, “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Liam drew in a deep breath and nodded, “Good. Because Drake has offered to leave the country, at least for a while, and I think he should.”
“But, I thought you said-“
“I know what I said, and I know what I offered. This isn’t permanent, but we need a little time and space to heal, to make things right. That’s my one condition and, all things considered, I don’t think it’s too much to ask.”
“Can I see him first? Tell him goodbye?”
Liam shook his head, “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I understand that first night was a mistake, an impulsive act propelled by circumstance, but every night after that was a choice. You’ve been choosing him for weeks. I need you to choose me right now. If we’re going to get through this, I have to know that you’re as committed to repairing our relationship as I am. Starting right now.”
Riley looked at him with wide eyes in silence and his heart dropped. Maybe he’d been wrong. He had hoped she’d meant it when she said she loved him and wanted to work things out, but if she couldn’t give him this one thing then he wasn’t sure about any of it.
Just as he was about to give up hope, she nodded slowly and whispered, “Ok.”
“Ok?” Relief surged through him.
She nodded again, more vigorously, “Yes, ok. Let’s fix this!”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. The vise around his heart loosened for the first time in a week.
just a short series …well not really a series…but still a series! , that ive been working on! there are a few series i’’ve had to put on hold as im just not feeling them right now, and i only want to put my best out for you to read! hope you enjoy this series as much as i have enjoyed writing it!
Pairing: Liam x Riley, Liam x MC
Summary: Liam dives into riley most inner thoughts and dreams…
I always notice every single spelling mistake or issue after I’ve posted…so apologies in advance!
Tags aren’t working so I will be tagging in the comments. Ive tried to tag everyone, please don’t hesitate to msg and let me know if i forgot to tag you!
CARRIES ON DIRECTLY FROM PART 2!
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“Today was the day Liam found out his father would be stepping down as king at the end of the social season, meaning, he would be choosing a wife and becoming king all at the one time. I really felt for him, his profession can’t be easy, being rushed into finding a wife, then being told he only had a few weeks before he would have the weight of the kingdom on his shoulders, it’s an extremely stressful situation and I hope I have shown him, that if he ever needs someone to just sit and listen or just distract him for a little bit, I will be there, no matter what.
Liam held Riley just that little bit tighter as he nuzzled his face into her shoulder, placing the sweetest kiss on her neck. “you showed me every day, that no matter what, you would always be there for me, if I needed you…I always needed you”
“I always needed you too” Riley’s whispered as she turned her head to place a soft kiss on his lips. Liam smirked as he carried on reading.
I always notice every single spelling mistake or issue after I’ve posted…so apologies in advance!
Tags aren’t working so I will be tagging in the comments.
Riley stood In front of the full body mirror, straightening out her black dress. she quickly moved over to her dressing table, with her hands placed firmly on the desk, she looked into the smaller mirror at the person looking back at her, she wiped under her eyes, the bags under her eyes be it from old age, or the sleepless nights were clear.
“you look beautiful” his voice met her ears. “are you ready?” he added
“I could never be ready for this” she whispered “I…I don’t think I can do this”
“I know it’s hard my love, but you’ll regret it if you don’t go”
“If I go, that’ll mean it’s really true…I don’t think I can handle that” she sniffled
“we can handle it together, my love”
“I don’t know how to live like this” she cried
There was a gentle knock on her door, then the voice carried through.
“mom…it’s time to go” her second oldest daughter Katie called
“I’m just coming” she replied, slipped on her flat shoes then made her way into the living room.
“are you ready, mom?” Delilah, her eldest asked as she held her two-year-old in her arms.
“I have to be” she sighed
The family all made their way out of the royal quarters and down to the cars waiting outside for them. As Riley waited for the rest of the family to climb into the cars, she felt a tingle on her hand, she felt him in her heart. “you can do this, My Love”
The journey to the church only took around ten minutes, but to Riley, it felt like a lifetime. Once they reached the church, they exited the cars then headed inside. As the royal family headed down the aisle to the front of the church, everyone stood to their feet. As Riley’s eyes found the casket before her, her breath hitched. “you should sit, my love” his voice run through her ears.
Riley followed all five of her children to the front line of seats. As she sat down, she felt her second youngest daughter, Olive’s hand slip into hers as she rested her head against her mother’s shoulder.
The next hour flew by, Riley barely heard a word that was spoken…just like the past week she had barely taken in any conversation she had…how could she when she had something else taking over her mind. By the time the funeral service was over, it was time to head back to the palace mausoleum where there would be a private burial for close friends and family. The tears fell down Riley’s face as she watched out the car window at the passing’s by.
Once they reached the palace, the family made their way to the mausoleum, with a squeeze to her hand she heard his voice again “you’re doing great, my love” the family stood around the crypt where the casket was to be placed as they waited for it to be brought in. Riley took a deep breath as she heard the car pull up outside, jut a few minutes later, she seen Drake and Leo, the first two pallbearers she seen. As they began to lower the casket into the crypt, she felt the arms of her middle child and second youngest, wrap around her as they cried. She stood still…unable to move…unable to find the words to comfort them. once the casket was down, a couple started the service by saying a few words. Riley felt Drake move beside giving her hand a gentle squeeze. Riley had made the decision that she didn’t want to say anything…she couldn’t…she couldn’t find the words to say. As the heavy lid was closed and sealed, she broke down…this was it…it was happening…she was never going to see him again…feel him again.
A short while later, everyone began to leave one by one, the last two being Riley and Drake.
“Riley…are you coming?”
“no…I need a few more minutes” she sniffled never taking her eyes from where he lay. The next thing she knew…she was alone, she reached her hand out, gently running her fingertips along the cold stone.
“you promised we’d be together forever…you promised me”
“my darlin, this was my forever”
“please, don’t leave me”
“my love, I don’t have a choice”
“I need you”
“I’m right here”
“I can’t do this without you”
“I’m here, my love”
“I feel so empty” she whispered “like a part of me is missing” she cried
“I’ll always be with you, my love, I’ll be in your heart for as long as you keep me there”
“You’ll always be in my heart, in my thoughts…I’ll think of you always”
“then you’ll never be alone, My love.”
“Mom”The voice of her youngest child, her son, Alexander called through echoing halls of the mausoleum he frowned as he approached his mother, gently wrapping his closest arm around her. Alexander was the spitting image of his father, at the age he was at that moment, he looked exactly like Liam did when he walked into Riley’s bar.
“are you ready to join everyone?”
“no, I think I should rest”
“are you sure?”
“yes, I don’t have it in me to sit whilst everyone drinks and dances…I just…I can’t”
“alright, why don’t I walk up with you?”
“alright” she nodded as the tears carried on falling.
“until I see you again my love” she lifted her hand to her lips placed a kiss on her fingertips before placing her hand gently on the cold stone, the two then headed out, making their way to the royal quarters.
“you know…you look so much like your father Alex…” Riley smiled slightly “just like when I first met him”
“well…I’m glad I take after such a great man” the young man smirked
“and don’t you forget it”
Once the two reached the royal quarters, Riley headed inside, as Alex went to follow, she stopped him.
“sweetie, you don’t have to stay here with me…go be with your sisters, and your aunts and uncles, get drunk…celebrate his life”
“but mom, I don’t want to leave you-”
“I’ll be alright…I think I need some time to be on my own for a little bit” she sniffled
“are you sure?”
“yes, go…” She smiled
“alright…we’re just a shout away” she watched as he walked out, closing the door behind him. An eerie silence filled the room, the past week the apartment was filled with noise and chatter, with the children returning with their children since the day he passed, noise was all she heard…now it was just Silence…it was just her. she slipped her shoes off then headed for the bedroom, she shut the door behind her with a sigh. As she turned and faced the bed, the tears began to fall again…the place they lay as man and wife…the place they made love, the place their love made a whole new kind of love. She unzipped her dress, with quite a struggle now that he wasn’t here to help, then she let it fall to the floor. she flicked the light switch off, then made her way over to the bed, she climbed in pulling the duvet over her, she took his pillowed in her arms, holding it as tight as she could, she lay her head on the soft feathers, as the pillow compressed as she lay her head on it, it gave out the slight waft of him…his cologne…the smell she always got when he lay beside her, she always loved how he smelled so good all the time. The tears cascaded down her cheeks at just the thought of him, if you listened carefully you could hear her heart breaking with every breath she took.
