Love after Death (BxB)

Chapter 26: ​The Verdict of the Cool Night Air

ONE YEAR LATER | PRESENT TIME

Liam's POV

I spun my glass of champagne absentmindedly in my hand, eyes fixed on the man on stage singing a melancholic tune. His voice, raw and powerful, stirred something deep inside me. It was like he knew the weight of my thoughts. I gulped down the rest of the drink, trying to chase away the unsettling feelings swirling inside me. I slapped my face lightly, attempting to shake off the effects of the alcohol. It was starting to get to me.

"How are you?" The voice behind me was familiar, but I didn't bother to turn around.

I grabbed the glass again, raising it to my lips, not meeting his gaze.

"I should be asking you that," I replied, my voice a little more strained than I intended. "How are you?"

"You seem troubled," he said, his tone sharp yet caring. I couldn't suppress a bitter laugh.

"Come on, Michael. You know I don't belong in places like this," I muttered, eyeing him as he turned to the bartender, ordering a red wine.

"What a coincidence," I added sarcastically, still watching him as he focused on the drink being prepared.

"This isn't a coincidence, Liam," Michael said without looking at me. "I've been keeping an eye on you. The last time you were drunk, you lost control. You were a mess, and the worst part was Miguel finding you in the rain, asleep, like you were trying to feel the pain of it all."

I winced, guilt twisting in my chest.

"Why are you even here?" I asked, avoiding his gaze. "Why are you acting like this is your problem?"

"Because it is my problem," Michael retorted, turning to me. "You've been living in the past ever since Monique's death. But what about now? You've got everything—you're running the company. You've got responsibilities. What are you doing with them, Liam?"

I froze. The words hit me harder than I expected. He was right. But I couldn't shake off the suffocating weight of my past.

"What if I had made different choices, Michael? What if I had done something differently back then?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Could things have turned out differently?"

"You chose this," Michael said, exasperated. "You chose to become CEO, to carry Dad's legacy. You made that decision yourself. So why are you letting your past consume you now? You're not just ruining yourself; you're ruining your future too."

I felt a surge of frustration.

"I just want to be free," I muttered, my voice faltering.

"No, you don't want to be free," Michael said firmly, shaking his head. "You're letting your emotions control you. You've been like this for years. Do you even think Monique would want this for you?"

His words were a gut punch, the pain of loss resurfacing. I felt my chest tighten as I stood, fury and sorrow mixing inside me.

"How would you feel if you were in my shoes?" I shot back, my voice shaking. "What would you do? It's not as easy as you think, Michael. You've never been in love, so how could you possibly understand?"