Marrying my high school bully

Author’s POV

TWELVE HOURS BEFORE

She made her way to a table arranged for couples only, with a disapproving expression at his distasteful choice of venue. She felt like throwing a punch at him for deciding to ruin her perfect day, but she knew better than to go physical on him.

“Why am I here, Liam?” She snarled as she stopped by the seat opposite his, while his lips stretched into a grim smile.

“I’ve missed you so much, sweetness. You don’t come to visit me anymore. Am I that bad?” He asked, his eyes almost undressing her as she sank onto the chair.

“Don’t use that name on me, Liam.” She challenged, “I’m not your girlfriend.”

He burst into laughter while she rolled her eyes and folded her arms. “Of course, you are sweet down there and thinking about how wet you used to be for me makes me hard right now. If you want, we could go upstairs and I’ll fuck your brains out. I know you miss me.” He wriggled his brows at her.

Emilia stared at him without saying a word, she was tired of having to hide her identity every time she had to meet with him, and right now, she wondered why she fell into his trap in the first place.

“I’m going to ask you again, why am I here?” She reiterated, her voice icy with irritation.

He chuckled then leaned closer to her. “I’m broke. I need money.” He blurted flatly.

She lowered her head and massaged her temples in exasperation while trying to suppress her anger. She couldn’t yell at him since they were in public, and she couldn’t have the paparazzi taking pictures of her and making her trend for the wrong reasons.

So she decided to tread cautiously.

“Well, I don’t have any money.” She replied nonchalantly.

Liam let out a doubtful laughter, but it disappeared when he saw how serious Emilia’s expression was. “You are serious, aren’t you?”

She shrugged. “Yes, I am. I don’t have any money to give you.”

“That’s none of my business, Emilia. I need some money to sort myself out, and you are the only one who can give it to me so make it available.” He said and tried to stand up when she grabbed his wrist and fixed a deadly glare at him.

“You will sit down and listen to me because we aren’t done with this conversation.” She said through her tightly clenched teeth and he shoved her grip off.

“Don’t use that tone on me. You know what I’m capable of.” He replied, glowering at her.

The both of them engaged in a glaring competition until Emilia decided to break it. “When I say that I don’t have any money, then I don’t.”

“What do you mean you don’t have any money? I thought Dexter placed you on a monthly allowance. Isn’t that more than enough to take care of you and even spare some for me?” He probed.

Beads of sweat began to trickle down her forehead as she wiped them off and adjusted uncomfortably on her seat.

“It used to be sufficient until I ran into debts, and since I had that fiasco with that bitch Melissa, my modeling career further descended into oblivion. I lost most of my ambassadorship deals and some of my modeling contracts, so this is what I mean when I tell you that I’m broke.” She sighed, her lips forming a pout.

“I’m sorry for your losses, but you have to find a way to get me this money, alright? You can use Lilly to get some money from him. You know that he doesn’t joke with her needs.”

She raked through her hair and shook her head in disbelief. “Dexter took her away from me after Lilly went missing due to my carelessness so I can’t even use her.” She explained.

Liam stood up and she didn’t bother to stop him again.

“I don’t care about what happens to you because it’s none of my business, but I’d like to warn you ahead of time that you shouldn’t play with me. I’ve got your secrets in my palm and if you make a mistake, the cat will be let out of the bag.” He threatened her so calmly that anyone who glanced their way would think he was professing his love to her.

She sprang up to her feet furiously, annoyed by his lackadaisical response, but she couldn’t do anything as he walked out, leaving her to think of a way out of her problems.

******

TWELVE HOURS LATER

Dexter’s POVCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“How’s she doing now?” I asked the pediatrician who was in charge of Lilly’s treatment for the umpteenth time this morning.

We rushed her here early this morning and they began treatments immediately, but they stopped us from seeing her so I wasn’t at rest. And the fact that the doctor kept giving me vague responses heightened my fear.

“She’s stable now, at least, her temperature is back to normal and the other symptoms that came with the fever are gradually leaving. It’s good you brought her here on time or it would have gotten more complicated.” She explained and I suddenly felt at ease.

“Thank you so much. Can we go and see her now?” I asked and she nodded.

“Yes, you can, though she’s still sleeping. The nurses will be coming in to check on her at intervals.” She informed me and walked away.

My gaze was trained on the door, but my mind had wandered far away. I was so scared for my daughter. The doctor had assured me that she was fine but I kept imagining what would have happened to her if I wasn’t attentive.

If I hadn’t come to my senses and realized that I was hurting Melissa. I know that I asked Wyatt not to bother picking her up after I sent him the text, but still…

Maybe nature was trying to punish me for what I did to Melissa through my daughter.

“Hey,” Melissa’s warm voice jerked me back to reality. “She’s fine already. Stop overthinking.” She scolded me gently, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.

I gave her a once over and almost laughed. She was wearing the shirt I almost ripped apart, but she still looked beautiful even though her nudity could be seen if she didn’t hold tightly onto the seams.

“I’m sorry for ripping out the shirt.” I chuckled.

She slapped my back and we both giggled. After the storm settled, I’d have to ask her out.

“It’s fine. Let’s go and see Lilly.” She said and I nodded in agreement.

However, my phone decided to ring and I hissed when I saw who the caller was. “Why would she be calling me in the wee hours of the morning?”

“Pick it up, you don’t know why she is calling.” She urged me.

“What do you want?” I went straight to the point.

“Dexter,” She cried and I rolled my eyes. “My house has been broken into and my properties including my money were carted away.”