His Terminal Illness, Her Eternal Penance.

, the muted greys of the room

toma. Si

echoed, a

navigating a financial tempest, thei

inking ship, now diagnose

ught o

reach her, truly reach her, in

nancial slide, when the stress was a phy

ore me with your family's ancient histo

hour on the phone

restaurant, rain soaking his coat

thrown back in laughter, her

. Ava had blushed, a sight Liam hadn't

nce, he knew. For his benefi

er reached him even through the

s finger. He rarely took it off.

once, during a ra

like you actually have a husband's claim? Let me be clear, Liam.

ere brutal,

ss, in a way. Their marria

rom Noah, her first lo

ed. Liam's family had

s, one mise

celebrating the

th her friends bu

!" she'd typed, followed by

tal red packets, a playf

l go through with it, Ava? Liam's tolerated a lot. This di

he's been like a doormat. Sudd

messages on Ava's unlocked tab

cold knot in

an idea. A desperate

is phone, dial

voice wary. "What

id, his voice deliberately c

ut it?" s

musement into his tone. "Maybe I am just playing you.

Ava's voice, sh

ouldn'

said softly. "See

s mouth. He was playing a game,