Chapter 73: Chapter 73

Liam is still looking at me, waiting for answers, and so is her mother. I guess I have no escape. This is not how I would have wanted to tell him about that part of my life, but I guess I will have to do it. Maybe it is even better that I get this load off my heart and my shoulder once and for all.

“Yes. I once lost a baby.” I state, conjuring more amounts of confusion.

“A baby?” Liam implores, his voice so deep, denoting how lost he is. His mother settles on the bed, beseeching me, resting her hands on my lap. She is not any less flabbergasted than her son. “What are you talking about, Lynn? You said there was no other man in your life after me, so how could what you are saying be true?” He adds.

I take a deep breath. “This is our second child, Liam. I was pregnant when we broke up.” I state.

More dismay. The room is now filled with a cold aura of utter confusion and disbelief. From Liam to her mother, each battled with immeasurable dismay.

“A child? How come we didn’t know about this, Liam?” His mother queries, raising her face to her son as he stands up to his face, his hands scratching his head so mercilessly that I am afraid he might hurt his head. “Enlighten me, son.” She adds.

“How can I enlighten you on something I am just learning now, Mother? I didn’t know of any children. This is news.” Liam says, turning to me. “Why did you keep it a secret from me, Lynn? Why didn’t you tell me that we were expecting a child?” He questions.

“What for, Liam? It was already too late when I found out.”

“Late, Lynn? How late, exactly? When we had already broken up?” Liam throws me a question that cuts through my heart. How I wish that was the truth. I found out when he had already left. That is, I would not have to feel so guilty for keeping this secret.

“No! I had just learned about the pregnancy when you brought the news that your marriage had been fixed.” I explain calmly that the memories of that day are surging in my mind.

I was so excited. I was over the moon. I swam through cloud nine that day as I went to meet him. I envisioned him grinning broadly and showering me with kisses after learning the truth. I anticipated him ordering all those mouthwatering dishes he packed me with whenever he wanted to spoil me. But then his heartbreaking news came before my good news. There was nothing we could change. I was shattered into a thousand pieces. I lost all the hope that I had been clinging to that we had a future. Every single dream I had for us became a blur. But I loved him so much that I put him at a crossroads. It was a pure sacrifice of love that I don’t regret doing.

“But still, you had the time and the opportunity to tell me the truth, Lynn. You should have told me.” He argues.

“What for, Liam? To confuse you more than you looked that night. To hurt you more knowing that you were not just leaving your great love behind but also a child? I loved so much to subject you to such emotional trauma, Liam.” I explain.

They both remain quiet. I don’t know about his mother, but I know Liam cannot stay mad at me. He may be hurt that I hid this from him, but I know he will understand because I know he would have done the same for me.

“So, what happened to the child? I am sorry if I am reminding you of something so painful, Lynda, but I just want to know exactly what happened to your grandchild.” His mother asks.

Her grandchild. So, does that mean she will also accept the one that I am carrying and love it as her real grandchild?

“What happened, Lynn?” Liam asks.

“She died after I gave birth. I didn’t even hold her. She just cried once, and that was it.” I would like to explain a bit more. But the tightness in my chest and the chuck in my throat cannot allow me to proceed. I guess this is one of those pains that you just never get over. It stings just the same, no matter the period of time that you have grieved over it. It hurts like this happened just yesterday.

Liam holds my hand to console me, while his mother is rubbing my thigh. “I am so sorry that you went through that all alone.” Liam soothes, and I can feel he is genuinely sorry.

“It’s okay. I am sorry if I am telling you just now. When our paths crossed again months ago, you were already in this mess, swimming in problems. I haven't had the right opportunity to tell you about it.” I apologize. It is always better to own up to your own mistakes, however small they are, right?

“It's okay. I understand you. I am not angry because I know you did what you did with good intentions. But no secrets from now on, alright?” He asks.

“I promise.” I respond with a warm smile, our eyes locked.

Ahem!

The sound of his mother clearing her throat as she stands up makes us awkwardly break eye contact. I almost forgot she was here. “I am so sorry for what you went through, Lynda. I can't help but feel guilty somehow.” She says she is standing right in front of us.

“You don’t have to be. Up to date, I still ask God why my child had to die, but I hold no one responsible.” I explain.

She nods her head slightly, a combo of guilt, disbelief, and pain still weighing heavily on her shoulders. “Once again, I am sorry.” She adds.

“Thank you," I respond.

“So, you both are back together again and expecting another child.”

She speaks, and it doesn’t come out as a question. It is like she is stating a fact. Does she know something? We both snapped our eyes at her.

“Mother, please! Not now.” Liam says.

She emits a slight, bitter smirk. “I am not opposing it, Liam. I know there is obviously something between you two, and I have not raised direct questions about it.” She says.

She knows? Since when? Who told her?

“How do you know?” Liam asks for him and me because I am dying to know too.

“I am your mother, son. I know everything about you, and above all, how you act and look when you are in love. I saw this same glow in your eyes back then when you were with Lynda. And when I saw it again yesterday, when I saw you were protecting her, I knew exactly why.” She explains.

Wow! And here I was almost convinced that she knew nothing about her son. How wrong were Liam and I about this woman again? I feel so bad and guilty for not trying to read her actions and reactions deeply. May the heavens pardon us.

“Look, Mom, I have suffered in this marriage of conviction for two good years. There is a reason why fate had to make my path cross with Lynn again, and that is because we were given a second chance at falling in love again. And this time around, nothing will tear us apart. I am not leaving her behind even again.” Liam states, and her mother does not seem shocked or objective at all. On the contrary, it seems like she is mentally having a twerk dance after hearing her son.

“Nobody is asking you to break with her again, Son. Your father and I have made a lot of mistakes, and I am sure that, just like me, he would not want to add more to the list. Personally, I have no objections whatsoever.” She adds.

“So you mean your father does not know?” Liam asks.

“Maybe he suspected. I really don’t know. We did not have time to talk at all.” She says.

“Okay. It really does not matter because I am following my heart this time around, and nothing or no one will stop me. I hope Father will understand that.” Liam affirms.

“Do not worry about your father. So, what happens to the meeting?” She asks, inching in closer and leaning on the bed.

“I will call Father and ask him to call it off until after."

“One week.” I brat out, snapping their attention to me. “I want just one week with that bitch of the Edwards.”

“Come on, babe. Let me deal with her.” Liam pleads.

“No. She is all mine. And don’t worry, because I won't let her touch even a single strand on my head.” I affirm. Nobody deserves to screw that witch more than me. Well, I know he has had it rough in her arms, but still, I want to be the one to teach her a lesson.

“What is happening?” Liam’s mother implores

“Mitch is the one who pushed Lynn down the stairs.”

“What?” Her jaw drops. “Mitch did what?” She adds, looking between me and Liam.

“You heard me. She pushed her down and watched her roll down, and she did not even try to help her.” Liam speaks again.

“How can she have it in her to push someone who is even pregnant down the stairs? She…what kind of heartless brat did those Edwards raise for goodness sake? Or was this their plan?” She asks.

“We don’t know that yet, and I don’t want to entertain that possibility because only the devil knows what I might do to those sick, bastard thieves.” Liam says, clenching his hands into fists.

“I am sorry. Let’s not think of the worst for now. But Lynda, I know I have no right to tell you anything, but taking revenge on these people in your condition is so risky, dear. What if something bad happens to you and the baby? Don’t you think it would be best if you let Liam handle this?” She asks.

I shake my head. “I appreciate your concerns, but I can handle this. I want this. And I give you both my words that nothing bad will happen to me.” I say.

His mother has nothing to say anymore. I bet she is cautious about crossing her limits. She is still holding back.

“I am only doing this because I know how badly you want to hurt that woman. But the minute I realize this is posing any threat to you or the baby, the deal is off.” Liam says.

“Copy, sir! So, my way it is?” I tease, and he teases.

“You always have a way of working your way around me.” He says it with a small smile.

The bitch better brace herself.