Bound By Love

Chapter 15: Fractured Bonds

For a week, Liam hid out in Mark's apartment, a shadow of himself, drained and heartbroken. He barely left the couch, a bottle always within reach, his mind consumed by an endless loop of memories that haunted him day and night. He'd loved Sophia deeply, unreservedly, believing in their future as one might believe in a force of nature. Now, all he could see was her in James's arms, the look of defeat on her face when she let him kiss her in front of everyone, in front of him. It felt like a twisted nightmare he couldn't wake up from. He drank to forget, but the images only grew sharper, more vivid, burning behind his closed eyes.

He hadn't reached out to anyone, not his parents, not Sophia. He hadn't had the strength to confront anyone; he barely had the strength to confront himself. In his darkest moments, he considered going back to her, finding her, but the vision of James holding her close always stopped him. And the words he'd said to her in his drunken rage replayed in his mind, each insult cutting him with regret. She had meant the world to him, and he had torn her apart.

Across town, Sophia was barely holding herself together. She moved like a ghost through the Whitford mansion, her heart heavy and shattered. Every day was a reminder of the life she had been forced into, a future that was not her choice. She had always loved Liam, and only Liam. He was her first love, the first man she had given herself completely. But now, all of it felt ruined, like a precious dream shattered by cruel reality.

The words Liam had thrown at her in Mark's apartment haunted her. She could still hear his accusations, the disgust in his voice, his contempt as he cast her aside. How could he think she had betrayed him? Every happy moment they'd shared now felt tainted, tinged with the hurt of his rejection. Her heart ached with grief and disbelief, and each day, she found herself wishing to leave, to escape this life of unending pain and judgment.

Determined to break free, she resolved to tell James and Evelyn the truth: she would not marry James, and she would leave the Whitford's. She wanted to return to her family's old home, where she could find peace, away from the heartache and complications that had consumed her life. She didn't need anyone's approval—she simply wanted a fresh start.

One evening, as Evelyn, Robert, and James sat around the dining table, discussing the final preparations for the wedding, Sophia quietly made her way downstairs. Her eyes were heavy with sleeplessness, and her face pale from the weight of her sorrow.

Evelyn looked up, noticing Sophia's appearance and concern crossing her face. "Sophia, dear, you look exhausted. What's troubling you?"

Sophia took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking. "I... I just miss my parents. I'd like to go to our old family house, just for a little while."

Evelyn's expression softened with sympathy, and she took Sophia's hands in hers. "Oh, sweetheart, of course. It makes sense. You're going through a big change, and you need their presence to guide you." Evelyn exchanged a glance with Robert, then turned back to Sophia. "But you're not going alone. I'll book tickets for you and James. He'll accompany you, and in a few days, you'll both return together."

Sophia's heart dropped at Evelyn's assumption. She hadn't wanted James to come with her; she had hoped for a few days of solitude, away from all of this. But before she could protest, James looked at her warmly, nodding in agreement. "I'd be happy to go with you, Sophia," he said gently. "It'll give me a chance to pay my respects as well."

A flash of frustration crossed Sophia's face, but she quickly masked it with a small smile, her voice soft. "Thank you."

As Evelyn continued discussing travel arrangements, Liam stepped into the dining room. He had heard every word, each line about the trip and James's role as her "protector" cutting deeper than the last. His face was pale, and his eyes hollow, but he managed a bitter smile, clapping his hands mockingly as he entered.

"Well, isn't this just a picture-perfect family moment?" he sneered, his voice thick with sarcasm and hurt. "It's all so wonderful, isn't it? Planning a lovely little trip for the happy couple while the rest of us are left to rot."

The entire table turned to face him, startled by his sudden outburst. Robert's brow furrowed, his face darkening. "Liam, what on earth is the meaning of this?" he demanded.

"Oh, you want to know?" Liam replied, his tone laced with bitterness. "I'll tell you what this is. It's watching everyone move on with their lives while I'm left wondering if I even belong here anymore." His gaze flickered to James, and then to Sophia, whose face had turned pale.

James rose, concern flashing across his face. "Liam, come on, we're family. We care about you. We want you to be happy."

"Don't touch me!" Liam snapped, pushing James back. The force sent James stumbling, and he landed on the floor, shock spreading across his face as he looked up at his brother.

Evelyn rushed to James's side; her face filled with horror. "Liam, what's gotten into you?" she cried, her voice filled with fear and disappointment. "This behaviour is beneath you."

Liam laughed, the sound hollow and broken. "Is it, Mother? Maybe this is just who I am—your failed son, the black sheep, the one you're all too willing to toss aside for your precious James."

Sophia watched him, her heart aching with guilt and sorrow. She wanted to say something, anything, to ease the pain between them, but her voice failed her. The image of Liam's anguish twisted inside her, a reminder of the love they had shared and the wreckage that remained.

James finally rose, anger replacing his shock as he squared his shoulders. "Enough, Liam. You've crossed the line. You're upsetting Sophia, and I won't stand by while you hurt her."

Liam's heart ached as he heard the concern in James's voice, the tenderness with which his brother spoke about protecting Sophia. Each word tore into him, a painful reminder that it should have been him standing there, assuring everyone that he would keep her safe, that she was his responsibility. But instead, here he was, helplessly watching as James claimed that role. The words caught in his throat, his eyes filling with tears that he couldn't hold back any longer. They slipped down his cheeks, and he quickly brushed them away, biting back the overwhelming grief.

Liam didn't look back as he stormed up the stairs. He entered his room, grabbing a suitcase and shoving his belongings inside with furious determination. The words and faces of his family blurred together in his mind, mixing with the memories of Sophia. He could still see the tears in her eyes, the hesitation on her face as she let James hold her. Every glance, every smile felt like betrayal. He packed faster, fuelled by rage and a desperate need to escape this place, this family, and everything that had once felt like home.

As he grabbed his last few items, he looked around the room one last time, his gaze falling on the remnants of the life he'd thought he had. His fists tightened, his heart breaking all over again. With one final, bitter look, he stormed out, leaving behind the only life he had ever known.

Robert's voice cut through the silence, his tone firm and unyielding. "Enough, Liam. If you're going to behave like this, maybe you should leave. We've all tried to help you, but if you're determined to tear this family apart, then go."

Liam stood there for a moment, eyes flickering with a mix of anger and hurt, but he held back any response. Without a word, he strode out of the room, leaving a tense silence in his wake.

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