The Secret Obsession of the CEO
Chapter 178: Stepping Up

Chapter 178: Stepping Up

Derick saw the clarity in Liam’s eyes. He’s known Liam all his life. He had watched him grow up. And he could see the decisiveness in his eyes then. It was the same resolve he had when he proclaimed that he is going to start a business with Lennon.

He did succeed in his business, although no one liked his entanglement with Lennon. He was far more brilliant in business than Lennon himself.

Derick dragged Liam to a calm place with a blind spot and started whispering.

"I couldn’t get the psychiatrist to talk, but I stole her notes..."

Liam didn’t have a change in expression. he would have done the same too. At least it would have been easy for Derick with his badge.

Derick then shook his head. "You should know this first, Liam. Rory hasn’t talked yet. But Sidney did. She spoke...a lot. A lot of very very scandalous details. It’s... Our family’s name is going to get dragged in the mud for that..."

"Tell me!" Liam said. He hated that Derick is not speaking of the fact but only building the tension. But that means the truth is far scarier than he believes.

"Sidney... Rory had learned that Lennon is..." Derick placed a hand on the baby fearing Liam might drop the baby out of shock.

"You know Lennon is the killer. And Laura and Allison are not just the only two he killed right?" Derick asked. The news stations are broadcasting this murder investigation all the time and every little detail the police announce reaches the people in mere seconds.

Liam started at him waiting for him to speak more. As he was not speaking more, he nodded to give him the go. He wanted to know more details.

"Lennon is your father, Liam," Derick then pulled the band-aid. He didn’t think that hiding that fact from him as everyone does would do him any good. "They did a test and confirmed it. You are his son."

Liam did not drop Ellie, but he hugged her closer. He opened his mouth as he had a lot of questions, but he didn’t know what to ask first. He didn’t even know that he heard Derick right.

Does that mean, Lennon forced his sister-in-law, and he knew all along that I might be his son? He knew that and yet he... My mother... her death... He was indirectly responsible for everything! My mother losing her mind, keeping me at a distance and... everything!

He knew! He knew!

And I... I am HIS son? I am the son of a serial killer? I am not only just a r*pe child but also a...

I loved him! I loved him all my life. I thought of him as my role model and he...

What does that make me?

Am I like him too?

Derick hugged Liam careful not to squeeze Ellie in between. He saw the light leaving Liam’s eyes. Who would be happy to know that their father is a serial killer? And knowing Liam, He knew that he wouldn’t have been happy to have Lennon as his father even if he is not a serial killer considering how his mother conceived him and the fact that Lennon is their uncle.

Their uncle!

Derick’s phone rang and it was Julia. They said that they are bringing their grandma home. He thought she might be calling to inform him that they were safe home. He rejected the call.

He knew Liam needs his undivided attention right now. Liam might not want others to know how fragile he is. He masks his weakness with anger. But he knew he was a troubled individual.

And this news would push even a sane person into depression. As for Liam...

Liam left his embrace and turned to walk with the baby.

"Liam," Derick called.

Liam didn’t even turn to look at him. "She’d be looking for the baby," he said. His shoulders were slouched and his voice was dull.

Derick sighed. He expected that Liam would have such a reaction.

"I’m here for you if you need to talk," he said. He really would help Liam.

"Don’t you want to know about Rory?" Derick asked.

He was not sure if this is the best way. Oftentimes, men are expected to swallow all their emotions and only do what’s best for the family. That’s what Frank does. He’s seen his dad doing that too.

They never express their emotions much. It’s not like they are built differently. They are humans like everyone else. But they just do it. They deal with it in their own time in their own way while putting up a front that they are emotionless.

Be a man-- as they would say. And being a man always entailed curbing their ability to show emotions.

He would never advise Liam to be like them. Liam was never like them. He was always vocal and loud. He always let everyone know that he was displeased.

BUt now... Maybe now is the time for once...It is true that he is dealing with greater emotional pain right now. He was banged in the face with truth so hard it would make him lose his footing.

Derick wouldn’t have worried this much for Liam, when Rory was there. But unfortunately, she is not available. She is there, and she will be there in front of him. But he didn’t think that Rory would be emotionally available to Liam now.

Liam had to deal with the truth by himself.

And he will have to take care of Rory too.

Derick would take on the role of stitching up Rory together as he did in the past after her parent’s death. But he knew, this time he could do nothing. She is broken beyond measure.

He remembered how angry and hurt Rory was to know that he had those pictures of her with him. She said many things. She didn’t want others to know what Liam knew about her. Julia made him understand that she might be very old-schooled in her beliefs to the extent of being archaic.

For her to learn that Lennon--her husband’s father-- was the one who sexualized her and tried to violate her, would have been a great emotional blow.

It’s not his place to be there for Rory this time. It’s a marital problem. And Liam should be the one by her side and stitch her back.

He should take on the role of her husband seriously and assure her that his love for her hasn’t changed a bit even though everything around them has changed a lot.

He should help her see that her worth is not dependent on how others see her but on how she sees herself.

But is Liam maturing enough to take on that role?

Frank did it for a decade. He stood by his wife, got the support of his family to look after her, and even then, it was not enough. He didn’t believe her although he said he believed her.

Will Liam be different? Will he understand Rory and wait until she gains her confidence back?

Derick let out a sigh seeing Liam walking away and dragging his feet. he was so resolute that he wanted to know about Rory, but there he is... wallowing in his sorrow.

But Derick understood him. It’s not like Liam will abandon Rory just like that. Liam just needs time to focus.

He must. Because till now, it was Rory who stood by his side no matter what happened around him. She never doubted him or allowed others to take him for granted. Even when he was an ass to her, she still took his side, and he was always her top priority even more so than her daughter.

She never cared for herself. She hid her pain and her sufferings from him and was always available to him.

She deserves Liam to do the same for her this time.

Liam did not have a clear thought and he reached Rory’s room. She was on the bed and was closing her eyes. Her breathing was regular, and she didn’t hear him enter.

She had fallen asleep once more.

He was doubtful. She slept for an entire day without waking up and right after waking up she fell asleep once more.

Ah!

Something hit his head. His problems are the only thing he is worried about. He is acting as the selfish man he is. But Rory needs him right now.

And he knew that Rory would never hate him for who his father is. And when her love won’t waver, what use it is for him to worry about what happened in the past?

He should focus on getting Rory better first. He can deal with his sorrow later.

He ran outside and caught up with Derick.

"I asked you what was wrong with Rory!" he grabbed Derick’s arm.

Derick was about to call back Julia and he was stunned. "That was fast," he smiled.

"What?" Liam was confused.

"Have you decided to step up?" Derick asked placing his phone back in his pocket.

Liam’s angry face softened as he realized what Derick meant.

"I am. Don’t you think it’s about time I man up?" he asked.

Derick shrugged. "You should have stepped up when you got married... Or when you got her pregnant...Or when she gave birth... It’s too late."

Liam bowed his head.