Love Rents A Room
Chapter 62: The Question She Never Asked Herself Before

Chapter 62: The Question She Never Asked Herself Before

Joanne looked up at him, tears streaking down her cheeks. "What do you mean? I just... I just told you..."

Liam’s gaze bore into her, unreadable yet piercing. "Think, Jo."

She hesitated, his intensity making her uncomfortable. But as she searched for an answer, she found herself sinking into old memories. "I... I wasn’t interested in marriage back then. I didn’t want to stay here for the rest of my life, and..." She hesitated before admitting, "I regret not taking that ring now."

Liam’s fists clenched at the word regret. He looked away, jaw tight.

Joanne closed her eyes, letting herself slip back to that night. The night she made the worst mistake of her life.

It had been perfect. A fancy dinner at a restaurant she would have never imagined Liam taking her to. He had just opened his garage, hired his first two employees, and built a steady customer base. He was finally standing on his own feet. And yet, he still splurged on her.

Then there was the boat ride. It was peaceful, the water reflecting the night sky like a shimmering dream.

And that’s where he proposed.

She had known Liam her entire life. He had been her best friend, her rock, her everything. But when she saw him kneeling before her, something in her chest hollowed out.

Like she was missing something.

That hollow feeling turned to fear. Paralyzing fear.

And in her panic, she said the first thing that came to mind.

She broke up with him.

Joanne opened her eyes, her throat tight.

She had no real answer. She still didn’t know why she did it.

Liam studied her, his features softening ever so slightly. "You never really thought about it, did you?" His voice was laced with exhaustion. He scoffed. "Cruel, cruel woman. You shattered me in a single night, and yet... that was all I thought about. Day and night. For a whole damn year."

Joanne swallowed hard. "A year?" she echoed.

Liam exhaled, shaking his head. "Why are you this clueless?" His frustration was evident, but then he steadied himself. "Tell me something, Jo. Who was your first love?"

She frowned. "Why do you ask?"

Liam just stared at her, waiting.

Seeing that he wouldn’t let it go, she rolled her eyes. "You, of course."

A dry, humorless chuckle left his lips. He shook his head. "Not the guy you almost died to protect?"

Joanne stiffened.

Her mind blanked for a second before reality hit her like a truck.

Jeffrey.

Her stomach twisted violently. "Alright. I’m leaving."

She turned abruptly, heart pounding, but Liam’s voice rang out, firm and unwavering.

"Stop." Liam’s voice was firm, steady. It wasn’t a plea—it was a command.

She froze. Liam never used that tone on her, ever.

Liam stepped closer, his voice steady. "You don’t have to run away, Jo. Not from me."

She stayed still, her back to him.

Liam was determined not to let her leave without revealing the truth he had kept in his heart for so long. He knew she had fallen for that wealthy boy, and he had tried to keep her close, plotting ways to divert her attention toward himself. She was younger, impressionable, and everything to him. He wasn’t willing to let her go, but he wanted to make things right now.

A silence stretched between them before Liam finally spoke again, his voice shaking. "Give me some time, Jo." His voice was quieter now, measured. "I deserve it."

He realized he was emotionally manipulating her. In the past, he had done that to keep her close, but this time he used it to set her free. He knew he was being selfish, but he didn’t care. Ultimately, he wanted what was best for her.

Joanne turned to look at him.

"How much have you saved to repay that old man?" Liam asked. He had heard that her debt had been paid off by Winchester. Some might see it as an act of charity and wouldn’t return it. Winchester was filthy rich anyway. However, Joanne wouldn’t view it that way; Liam knew her well enough to understand that.

Joanne relaxed slightly, relieved that he had changed the subject himself. She had no desire to discuss Jeffrey Winchester, especially not with Liam. What did he know about her feelings? About what she had been through?

Jeffrey? She hated that scumbag to her bones!

"A little more than fifteen million," she said with a casual shrug. "The original twelve, with the interest..."

Liam chuckled. Of course. Joanne never liked owing anyone anything.

"Why haven’t you returned it yet?" he asked.

She hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I’m looking for the right way to do it. He genuinely cares about me, and I don’t want to hurt him."

Liam swallowed a scoff. And yet, she hadn’t hesitated to return everything he had ever given her after the breakup. But he understood—it was her way of drawing a line, of helping him move on. He didn’t hold it against her.

Again, she was too kind for her own good. Sometimes, it bordered on stupidity.

"Yeah... He always got you the best gifts, didn’t he?" Liam said with a small smile. That old man really had loved her.

Joanne nodded, her mind drifting back to the first time she met Philip Winchester. That evening, they had dinner together, and to her surprise, he was nothing like she had imagined. He spoke to her kindly, treated her with warmth, and when he handed her bags of gifts, she was stunned.

There were no patronizing comments, no reminders that she should be grateful for his generosity. Just simple, quiet kindness.

When she got to her room and opened the bags, she found books, dolls, and—most shocking of all—brand new clothes, all with the tags still attached.

That was the first time she could remember wearing something that hadn’t been passed down or secondhand.

"He’s a very kind man," she murmured.

Liam’s gaze remained on her. "Now, let me ask you something you probably never asked yourself. Was your debt the only reason you agreed to marry him?"

Joanne exhaled slowly. "Yes. I was desperate. And I... I didn’t think I had a choice. He said he’d erase the debt if I married his grandson, and I..." Her fingers clenched the fabric of her shirt as she recalled the suffocating weight of that moment.

Liam’s voice softened. "He has many grandsons. Would you’ve still agreed for the wedding if the old man had asked you to marry anyone other than Jeffrey?"

Joanne’s breath caught in her throat. Her entire body froze.

Indeed, she had never thought about that before.