Liam's Revenge

Chapter 3 - The Resurgence

The world narrows down to a single point – him.

My breath catches – a strangled gasp that stays trapped in my throat.

It can't be him. But it is.

Panic and desire explode in my chest, but eventually, a white-hot terror that propels me forward takes the win.

Run.

I surge out of the trauma room, ignoring Rigena's sharp cry behind me.

Ooh boy. They can get another nurse to help with Patrick's surgery.

The state of mind I am in?

I can't even help myself.

My legs pump, carrying me down the sterile hallway, my vision blurring at the edges.

I don't care about anything right now.

Run.

I need to get away. Run away from Liam Cavanaugh.

Find somewhere private before I shatter into a million pieces. I take a random turn, my feet barely touching the floor, and burst into the first empty room I see.

Huh. What do you know?

It turns out to be a small storage closet, crammed with cleaning supplies, but I don't care. It's quite enough.

I slam the door shut, the sound a hollow thud against the pounding in my ears.

My back hits the cool metal wall as I slide down, knees pulled to my chest.

I remove my mask, gloves, and eye protection, eagerly taking gulps of air, as my breath quickens.

Please don't find me in here. Please don't.

But of course he does.

He always used to tell me how I was his true compass. His true north.

The door creaks open, and I flinch. A figure fills the doorway, blocking out the harsh fluorescent light.

Liam.

I leap to my feet and lean against the supply cabinet, sizing him up.

He's taller, broader. The time gone by has etched new lines on his face, but Liam's eyes – those piercing green eyes that have haunted my dreams for years – are unmistakable.

Anger and a raw emotion I can't decipher cloud his expression. "Alex?" he demands, his voice rough with barely contained fury. "Ye live here, in Rome of all places?"

I nod, words still failing me. 

And of course, the next question he asks is the one I fully expected him to.

"Why did ye leave? Why didn't ye even say goodbye ye don't know how much I... How long I've been trying to find ye."

Each syllable drips with that familiar velvety smoothness, and my heart aches to hear more of his voice. Liam's words tear through the fragile dam I've built, and tears prick my eyes when I finally register the word that he used. The word that isn't right anymore.

"Alex?" I echo, my voice barely a whisper.

God, it's been so long since I heard my real name. "It's Chiara now." I jut my chin.

Liam takes a step closer, his gaze sweeping over me, taking me all in. My naked heart and soul. A sharp briny sea scent lingers around him and my entire being aches in recognition of his smell.

Get a grip, Alex.

"Chiara?" There's a flicker of something in his eyes, a mix of surprise and... hurt? "So a new name. That explains a lot. And your hair," he adds, his voice softer now. "Not crimson anymore. It's a lot darker and longer. Are ye wearin'... Glasses?"