His North Star Or My Second Chance
My fianc, Declan, meticulously went through every single one. With tears in his eyes, he slipped off his platinum wedding band.
Im sorry, Evie. I thought I could convince myself to accept your past.
Seeing Liam, wind-battered and dusty, standing in the doorway behind Declan, a sudden laugh escaped me.
Five years. And he was still using the same tactics.
But the bitter truth was, I no longer loved him.
1
The upbeat celebration music screeched to a halt.
The guests in the ballroom gaped, the clinking of silverware and dishes abruptly ceasing. The wedding planner, sweat beading on his forehead, gripped the microphone and forced a strained laugh, clearly unsure how to salvage the situation.
A gust of wind swept through the open door, scattering the drapery and setting the indoor chimes ringing. This space, a blend of rustic charm and modern elegance, was a labor of love, a joint effort between Declan and me.
As Declan walked past Liam, he stumbled, but he didn't look back, vanishing around the corner of the hallway.
Liam was staring right at me, his handsome, sun-darkened face breaking into a wide, bright smile.
Evie. Long time no see.
My expression blank, I slowly lifted the veil from my hair.
My mother shot up from her seat, the scraping sound of her chair against the polished floor a jarring alarm. She bit down hard on her lower lip, shaking her head at me. The fleeting joy in her eyes was swiftly replaced by a torrent of despair.
Lifting my chin, I spoke flatly:
It certainly has been a long time, Liam. And thanks to you, again, my wedding is cancelled.
A woman, slender and impeccably dressed, poked her head out from behind Liam. She pursed her lips in a display of indignation. We came all this way to see you, out of the goodness of our hearts, and youre still holding on to ancient history
Thats enough, Chloe! Liam cut her off with a sharp frown.
Chloe, once the epitome of an untouchable, spoiled socialite, immediately fell silent, her compliance unsettling. Liam still knew how to train his dogs.
I calmly addressed the stunned room: Everyone, please, enjoy the feast. Its on me. Ill ensure all gifts and contributions are returned shortly.
I took my mothers hand, guiding her toward the exit. Her palm was a sheet of ice, sending a shudder through me.
A tall, lean figure blocked our path. Standing against the light, I couldnt make out Liams expression, but his voice was much softer now.
Mrs. Miller, Evie. Please, believe me. The gift I sent was not those crates of letters. It was a framed butterfly I caught in Africaa symbol of peace and safe returnI wanted you to have it. I don't know how the courier service messed up.
He paused, his voice thick with a forced sincerity. Its been five years. I missed you both. I wanted to come back and see your father, Evie.
My mothers pale face flushed crimson with rage. Her lips trembling, she spat out, Get out. You dont have the right to see him!
Liams eyes were full of a contrived conflict and helplessness, and he cast a meaningful look at me, as if expecting me to intervene, to solve his problem as I always had.
I did not hesitate. My mother is right.
A person, after all, cant afford to fall into the same trap twice.
Declans discarded wedding ring still sat on the stage. The cold diamond caught the light, refracting a chilling brilliance. I walked over and picked it up.
As I turned, Chloe and Liams fingers intertwined. She held their joined hands high, a triumphant smirk replacing her frown.
Annabel Miller. Liam Scott and I are back, and were getting married soon, by the way. Since you and Liam have known each other for so long, wed love your blessing.
The murmuring in the room intensified, guests sighing and expressing their surprise at the dramatic spectacle.
I put my arm around my mother and headed out without looking back.
Why wait? You can use my stage for your wedding today. You love picking up things other people have tossed aside, dont you?
The crowd behind us erupted in a chorus of whispers and mocking laughter.
Strangely, there was no rush of relief or satisfaction. I placed a hand over my heart.
It was silent. It no longer beat for them. All my joy, anger, sorrow, and delight had been burned away in that fire five years ago.
After settling Mom into the care facility, I walked home in my heavy bridal gown. Along the way, I tossed both the engagement and wedding rings into a public trash can.
Bad things, once recognized, should be discarded.
People, too.
Yet, people aren't always bad. At least Liam Scott, once upon a time, had been so good.
2
My father had always been a charitable man. When his army buddy died unexpectedly, he took on the responsibility of funding the education of the mans only son.
Liam Scott, that year, was true to his namequiet and subdued. He wore a school uniform mended countless times, his lips pressed into a thin, unyielding line that no one could seem to break.
The teacher seated us together when he transferred to our class. Finding him a frustratingly silent companion, I deliberately hid his pen, just to make him say something to me.
To my surprise, after school, instead of going home, he spent the entire evening collecting empty bottles and cardboard to sell. With the money he earned, he bought a new pen, and then, respectfully, placed the remaining coins into the cup of an old beggar on the street corner.
He must have known that man was a notorious local scammer.
That day, I realized Liam was not just a quiet ox; he was a stubborn fool, too.
But even a stubborn fool like Liam sometimes learned to yield.
I woke up, groggy and disoriented, to a startling number of notifications on my phone. The chat thread that had been blank for five years had new messages from Liam.
I havent agreed to marry Chloe. Come out, lets talk properly. There are so many misunderstandings between us.
Misunderstandings?
My pain, the trauma I had lived through, was a misunderstanding in his eyes?
Smart as he was, Liam knew exactly how to get me to agree. He mentioned he wanted to tell me the last words my father had spoken to him before he died.
I agreed to meet.
He brought a butterfly-shaped cake, pushing it toward me with a smile.
Here. I remember you used to love sweets.
Liam, you loved it. You had an insatiable sweet tooth. I never did. Dont you know that, truly?
A wave of helplessness washed over me. I rubbed my temples, utterly drained. Forget it. Just say what you need to say, then Im leaving.
A flicker of hesitation crossed his face, imperceptible, but it was there. He quickly regained his composed, reserved demeanor.
Evie, you should apologize to Chloe. The things you said today were unacceptable. She was reduced to tears.
I laughed, the sound hollow.
Everything I said today was the truth. You know that better than anyone.
Apology is not happening. If youre so concerned, go back and comfort her right now.
It wasnt the first time hed abandoned me like this. His scales had always been unbalanced.
The year Liam met Chloe, we were already planning our wedding. I had clumsily chased after him, and he had finally turned to look back at me.
He chose medical school instead of the military academy. He told me, Northern Universitys Medical School is closer to your home. Youre a homebody, and I don't want us to be too far apart.
That summer, Liam Scott worked relentlessly, saving up for tuition, and took me on a graduation trip. We held each other on the beach, and we kissed on the Ferris wheel.
After graduation, we were finally of legal age. My father, with a kind heart, said Liam was an unfortunate child, and since I loved him, we should give him a home.
I was ready to give him that home. But he was afraid to enter it.
He went to my father and knelt heavily on the floor.
Sir, I watched my father die right in front of me. For years, all Ive thought is, what if I could have saved him?
I couldnt save him, but I can save more people. Being a Doctor Without Borders is my dream.
Clap! The sound was sharp. Eavesdropping by the door, my heart skipped a beat.
My usually gentle father shouted at him, his voice laced with fury: Dont even think about it! I promised your father I would look after you! Your life, this life, is meant to be one of domestic bliss!
When Liam emerged with a blazing red handprint across his cheek, I still hadnt moved.
His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the matching wedding bands I had just bought, his voice a choked, painful whisper:
Evie, you always said marriage wasnt a cage. Why do I feel so much pain?
I wasnt doing any better. I rushed into the study to find Dad clutching his heart, struggling for breath, slumped in his chair. As I pressed his medication into his hand, he gripped my wrist tightly.
Evie, you must... you must hold on to Liam.
I didnt know how to hold on to Liam. I only knew he loved sweets. Perhaps his life was too bitter, and he needed the sweetness to balance it out.
I spent the afternoon baking a cake, searching everywhere to find him.
Finally, I found them at his father's gravesite.
Chloe was clinging to his embrace, her pale, delicate face flushed.
I know youre a man with great ideals and ambition, Liam. Whatever you decide, I support you. My family has the means to be our safety net.
Im willing to go with you, to the ends of the earth.
I ran toward them, throwing the cake right at her. Ignoring all dignity, I yelled, Shameless! He already rejected you, and youre still sticking to him like a leech!
Liam did not push her away. Instead, his hand landed on me.
Evie, are you done with this drama?!
He had never once raised his voice at me since we were kids.
I fell silent, gently wiping the frosting from his face. Liams gaze was fraught with inner conflict, but in the end, he followed me back home.
However, he was going back to pack.
Unable to stop him, I pulled out a clinic report. Liam, Im pregnant. Youre going to be a father.
He snapped his head up, meeting my eyes with a look of pure scorn.
What new trick is this?
My stomach began to seize up, the pain forcing me to crouch down. When I looked up again, I was alone.
He was leaving. He had made his choice.
The day before his departure was his birthday. I went out to buy him a gift.
A car screeched to a halt beside me, and as the door opened, a strong force yanked me inside.
A hood was thrown over my head, and a rain of fists began to fall. I covered my abdomen, begging them to stop, but my clothes were violently ripped off. I heard the continuous click-click-click of a camera shutter and a girls high-pitched, triumphant giggle.
When I was dumped on the side of the road, I reached down, wincing in agony. My hand came away sticky and warm.
I lost consciousness completely.
I woke up to the smell of disinfectant and my phone ringing non-stop. When I answered, Moms hysterical scream hit me like a physical blow, leaving my mind numb.
By the time I rushed back, the house that held all our happy memories was reduced to a heap of ruins. Smoke hung thick in the air, a towering pile of black, collapsed debris.
As the morticians wheeled away my fathers charred remains, my mother collapsed, passing out from the shock.
I couldnt reach Liam, but I knew my fathers last visitor had to be him.
The investigation concluded that the culprit for the massive fire was a single candle. My father had lit it, hoping Liam would make a wish. That was all.
I found his rental apartment, only to be told by the landlord that he had already left for Africa. Hed left in a hurry, taking only the two large crates of handwritten love letters from our dating years, entrusting the rest of his belongings to the landlord.
The only thing he left for me was a text message before his number was deactivated:
Evie, Im gone. I hope every day of your future is as happy as the first day I met you.
Suddenly, I no longer wanted to pursue why he left when I needed him most. His manipulative softness was, indeed, potent.
For five years, my mother has fluctuated between periods of lucidity and madness. The start was incredibly hard. I worked during the day to earn money for her medical bills and delivered food at night, sleeping only three hours a day. Once, I collapsed at work, my head hitting the floor with a sickening thud. Blood poured from a gash.
Thankfully, Moms condition gradually stabilized. I borrowed some money and opened a bakery.
She asked me if I couldn't let go of Liam, that curse on our lives.
No. It wasnt that. I simply started to understand why Liam loved sweets so much. Because life, truly, was unbearably bitter.
The candlelight flickered on the table, illuminating Liams face, which overlapped with the image of the man in my memory.
I asked him, So, you wont tell me until I apologize to her?
Liam paused. Yes.
I picked up the wine bottle in front of me and smashed it against his head.
CRASH. My heart shattered too.
I will never apologize to the person who killed my child!
Blood streamed down Liams face, tracing an ugly path. His eyes widened, and a panicked look replaced his composure. There must be some mistake, Evie. Chloe might be spoiled, but she wouldnt hurt anyone.
Besides, did you really get pregnant back then? I remember I didnt
I didn't listen to the rest. I turned and walked out quickly. There was no point wasting my breath on a man who refused to believe me.
My mother had a relapse after seeing Liam. When I arrived at the hospital, she was banging her head against the wall. I held her tightly, letting her bite and pinch me, new, terrifying bruises forming over old ones.
I finally managed to soothe her to sleep.
When I looked up, Liam and Chloe were standing outside the glass window, exposing my most vulnerable moment.
He was quiet for a moment. What happened to your mom?
I didnt answer. Chloe spoke first, her tone laced with faux sympathy: Liam said your parents were kind to him, so he should check in on them. But since your mom is like this, maybe we should just go. Wouldnt want her to hurt anyone.
And your dad?
I forced a tight smile.
My dad? He died on June 12th, 2015.
The day Liam left.
I clearly saw the composed barrier in his eyes crack, tearing apart. He finally seemed to grasp the reality, reaching out clumsily to catch me.
3
Evie, the real reason I left so decisively was because
4
It was because Uncle Annabel told me I should pursue the life I wanted. He said he wouldnt force me to do anything I didn't want anymore.
I never imagined he would get hurt after I left. How how did he pass away?
Tears streamed from my eyes. I took a step back, and his outstretched hand fell short.
After you left, he had a heart attack and knocked over the cake. The single candle he lit especially for you is what killed him.
Liam, sometimes, I cant help but hate you. If you hadnt been so eager to leave that day, if you had just stayed a little longer, he would still be here with me.
Chloe stuck out her chin, placing herself protectively in front of Liam.
Hey! You cant blame Liam! Its your father who had a short life!
Thats enough, Chloe! Get out! Liam roared, the sound echoing down the hallway.
Chloe flinched, her eyes instantly filling with tears. Youre shouting at mefor her?
Dont forget who spent five years with you in that impoverished, dreadful place! If my father hadnt given us all that money, do you think youd be living so comfortably?!
Liam, do you even have a heart?!
She ran off crying.
A flash of blatant annoyance crossed Liams eyes. He truly had no heart, I thought bitterly.
Wiping the tears from my face, I spoke calmly. Its been so long. Neither of us wants to see you anymore. Just go. Marry Chloe, and you'll be set for life.
Ill just pretend my father took in an ungrateful stray dog.
Liam stared intensely at me, a raw, near-feral cry escaping him: You dont want me? You were the one who told me youd give me a homethats why I came back!
Ive held on to those words for five years!
I never intended to marry Chloe. Shes the one whos been constantly clinging to me!
A dark figure charged in, landing a punch that sent Liam stumbling six feet away.
I grabbed Declans arm, the skin under my palm hot with adrenaline.
Stop, Declan. Dont dirty your hands on him.
He looked at me, stunned, a flicker of confusion in his expression.
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