Mia was in her room having her breakfast. She'd declined having breakfast with the family on the excuse of her sickness but nobody really wanted to see a badly scared woman on their dining. It was both an eyesore and a tug at their conscience so she saved them the excuses and saved her herself the insult and look off degrading pity. She was toying with her food as a maid changed the wound dressing of the deep cut on her shoulder when someone knocked. She replied, "Come in."
A maid came in bowing politely, "Mr. Edwards wants you in the dining table now." Mia frowned, "Is there a problem?"
The maid shrugged, "I don't know but everyone has already been called, including Mr. Liam."
Mia nodded slowly getting up from her bed. She pulled on her night robe and wore her slippers, following the maid to the dining.
Everyone was already seated true to the maid's words. Mia bowed slightly as greeting, hesitant on were to sit. She always sat next to Liam but now even her body couldn't hide her spite against him. She looked paled just thinking of sitting next to him.
Mr. Edwards saved her further thoughts, "Sit next to Ellie."
She immediately moved next to the young mistress, sitting as graceful as ever. Even with this much pain and scars she still carries herself as a queen, every step so gracious.
Mr. Edwards began talking, "As to the disgraceful event at the gallery, it's been a week but it's still raising dust in the social media and my political enemies are using against me, more importantly the family image is being run in the mud because some incompetent and useless son couldn't curtain his excesses and manage his woman well..."
Liam cut him short, "But dad..."
Mr. Edwards immediately slapped him, shaking with fury, "If not that you were my only son I'd have disowned you long ago. You bring nothing but problems. I give you a woman to hide your shame but instead you display your stupidity to the world. If she dies, I'll personally send you off to jail cause no child of mine will bring me shame." Madame Edwards cried, "Enough!! You cannot yell at my son because of some unruly girl. She's useless anyway, her death would mean nothing at all."
Mr. Edwards sighed, curtailing back his anger, "As to that, both of you will attend an interview and you'll say how inlove you both are and how you are extremely allergic to vomit."
Liam yelled, "I'll not...!"
His father cut him short holding him by the neck, "And next time you beat a woman, do not beat her in the most obvious places you bastard." He let go as Liam coughed heavily, trying to catch his breath, "And to make sure you do not beat her again, atleast until this dies down and as well avoid you appearing in unruly places, I'm hiring a bodyguard. Consider him a baby sitter. He'll be here tomorrow. I picked him myself and he has the authority to give you a slap or knock you unconscious if you try anything stupid."
Liam massaged his jaw as tears dropped from his eyes. He stood up fiercely, "You better keep that whore away from me cause I promise to strangle her the moment I can." Mr. Edwards chuckled, "We both know you can't. And if your little obsession is not a strong motivation then know that I'll strip you off everything including my name from you if you kill her. That should be a good motivation too."
He stood up graciously, "Until then you'll both move out of the house today, I've prepared a condo. I can't take anymore of your barbarian attitude. This is my house, not a human slaughter house."
He left, leaving Mia under the glaring eyes on his sisters and condensing one of his mom.
The first daughter, Isabella stood up furiously, "Ever since you came to this house you've done nothing but try to tear this family apart. What do you even think you are?! I hate you and I wish you'd just go away. Of all monsters for my brother to love it had to be you."
She walked away with her other sister, Annabelle following meekly behind.
Liam flared at her and back at Michelle, "Ellie leave us, I need to speak to my wife." Michelle make to refuse but Liam glanced at her. His eyes were no longer those of fury, just calm, almost sorry. She sighed getting up.
With both of them alone, Liam moved to sit next to her. Mia flinched with the slight attempt of bodily contact. Liam sighed massaging his nose bridge, "Mia looks, I'm sorry that I... I reacted that way at the party. I didn't mean it. It happened out of impulse and I'm sorry for my anger issues...."
He reached out to her, using his thumb to clean the drop of tear rolling down her cheeks, "You know I love you. I really do and we'll make this work. I'm crazy over you and I can't live without you. I promise never to hit you again, okay?"
Mia sobbed quietly, she only looked at him without uttering a word, her eyes filled with pain. She'd heard this line all too much but deep down she still wanted to hope, to trust. Maybe, just maybe he'd actually stop this time.
Michelle closes the door behind her releasing a deep sigh. Her cheeks were rosy red and a huge smile crept on her face, "Lord I know I'm a sinner but why does sin feel this good."
Her best friend, Jessica sat on the bed watching her, "You've simply gone coo coo. You better learn to control yourself, your father has three daughters, loosing you is way too easy."
Michelle smiled locking the door as she moved to the bed to collapse on her friends embrace, "Save me Jess. Tomorrow's Sunday, I'll confess it to the priest."
Jessica massaged her temples, "No, you'll tell no one. Why was your father calling?" Michelle waved her hand offhandedly, "Some reason. He wants to get a bodyguard and he was yelling as usual. I felt so sorry for my love." Jessica shuddered away, "Cringe."