The Secret Obsession of the CEO
Chapter 179: Changed Thought

Chapter 179: Changed Thought

Derick took a defensive stance instinctively. He very much expected a punch on the face any moment. That’s what Liam does when he hears something he does not like.

But Liam was not saying anything for some time. When he looked up, his eyes were clear.

"Don’t say it’s late, Derick. It’s not. She still loves me and went through all that..." he looked at the room. He then turned. A layer of tears was in his eyes and he took in a deep breath. "I know she did it for me. And I am going to... I will do what it takes to get her back."

Derick smiled and nodded. Of course, he could see the change in Liam.

"I’ve told you everything you need to know. I know it is hard for you to come to terms with the truths. But she... About her, all you have to do is think from her side. It’s the same truth. Lennon is your father and he... Your father tried to..." Derick gulped.

When he personalized the truth, it irked him so more. A father tried to violate his daughter-in-law. Lennon knew who Rory is and yet he tried to... Ugh!

Derick fisted his hands. He wanted to kill Lennon. "Your father tried to hurt your wife. I..." he paused seeing Liam’s face getting pale.

"Yeah, I know, buddy. It is hard. But that’s what happened. And you should know how Rory would feel about this. She too knew who he was. And..." Derick hesitated to know the other detail he got from the psychiatric evaluation.

"And, what?" Liam leaned closer.

He felt so helpless, angry, and guilty. His wife, his precious wife who should have lived her life in utter luxury had to endure such a demeaning and traumatizing incident all because of...

It’s not my fault! It was HIS fault! I will not let him rest in peace!

He vowed in his heart. He wanted to rush to Lennon’s room and end him right then. That guy is in the same hospital and is getting treated for his gunshot wound. But the security around him is so tight that he couldn’t sneak in. He did try. They are not letting anyone near him.

Derick patted his arm. He too shared the rage Liam is feeling. Rory is his little cousin. And that monster hurt her. He will haunt him one way or another. It’s just that, unlike Liam, he has a little more patience. And his father too is in a deathly rage.

Rory is the beloved of the Roberts family. And anyone who touches her will face the wrath of the entire family. No one can hurt that sweet little girl and think that they can get away with it.

And then there is Agnes Roberts... He didn’t think that she will let Lennon pass away peacefully. At least that’s what his father said.

As for this little idiot...

"Did you by any chance get angry seeing my car in your apartment parking lot on May fifth last year?" Derick whispered to Liam.

When he saw the footage, he knew. He knew what his dear cousin was thinking and why that idiot went with Allison that night. He is too transparent.

Liam’s face went pale. It was hard for him to face Rory with that truth. And it was equally hard to face Derick too.

"Seriously, Liam? How stupid are you? You could have talked to me. I would have...." Derick sighed. "Let’s leave the past in the past. It’s... that manipulative monster... he..."

"What did he say?" Liam’s eyes widened. "Did he say something to her?"

Liam knew that she was already hurt because of that truth. And what more harm did Lennon cause with that fact?

"Sidney’s statement had the details. I haven’t gotten to it yet. Apparently, in the scuffle back in that house, he... he told her that you wouldn’t love her the same after knowing what he did to her..? I’m just paraphrasing him. I don’t know exactly what he said," Derick said.

Liam stood frozen.

Of course, Lennon would have taken that chance to create a divide between them. But it could be said that of all the manipulations Lennon used, this one needed little effort.

If Rory is not trusting him, If Rory believed Lennon’s words, is she even at fault? Isn’t trust a two-way street? Has he ever shown her that he trusts her?

It took him sitting in an interrogation room tied up to realize how much he let himself get manipulated by Lennon.

He will not let Rory go that far. He will talk to her.

"It’s not her fault. It’s all his fault. I will talk to her," Liam told Derick. "And... I am sorry, Derick. I know how hurt you would be to..."

"The incident at the hospital...You were doubting the paternity of..." Derick’s eyes ended up at Ellie.

He didn’t think about that till then. But if Liam really thought that he made Rory pregnant, then...

"No! No way, no!" Liam shook his head and took a step back. There was no way he thought that she was pregnant with Derick’s child. Even thinking about it now makes his skin crawl.

"No! Why would I ever... No! It was an entirely different reason. No, Derick. Don’t ever think that. I honestly don’t think that I thought she was cheating. I know I was mad. But... Maybe that was jealousy. Just jealousy that she was spending more time with you than...It was childish of me to think that way when you were going through a divorce and..."

Derick listened without interrupting. He wanted to observe Liam. And although he was hurt that Liam acted that way, he was now convinced that Liam was more childish than he realized.

Or maybe it’s his love... Too much love is not good either.

"Oh, God!" Liam took in a deep breath. He knew how hurt Rory was when she talked about that day.

The stupid words that came out of his idiotic mouth just because he couldn’t see his father and his wife happy... And it has led to all this...

It’s no one else’s fault but his.

He let out a deep breath. If Derick made that connection, Rory would have too. She might think that he did not say that out of spite for Claire. She might think that he doubted that her baby was Derick’s.

That is the last thing she should think!

Oh, God! What have I done?

"It’s my fault," Derick’s guilt-filled voice interrupted Liam’s thoughts. "I was an adult, and I shouldn’t have depended on Rory so much. I should have talked to someone else to get over my shame." Derick rubbed his forehead.

"But it was you guys... I never thought that I would be the one causing a disturbance in your marriage. You’re Liam and Rory. How could I..." Derick was astonished.

They all knew that those two understood each other so well. That’s why he didn’t think that taking so much of Rory’s time will cause a rift in her marriage. But he should have known. Although they are childhood sweethearts, they too will face troubles like any other couple.

And that is one of the reasons he decided to not step in now. He wants Liam to deal with Rory and Rory to deal with Liam. Both are struggling with the truths that banged them in the face and the best way forward for them is to communicate and resolve it among themselves.

This misunderstanding between them needs no mediator to get resolved. They need to open up and assure each other.

Derick had no doubt that they will come out of this successfully. They are Liam and Rory! And they will find a way.

"No, let’s not talk about that. I should have... I was always jealous of you. I was stupid." Liam said.

"Yeah, I agree on that. And... I’ll be there if you need me. So if you want someone to talk to, you can always rely on me. And Rory... she’s entirely your burden now~"

"But you know her better," Liam was scared. Scared to face those blue eyes that would always show her love for him. Her love always made him feel insufficient.

"And Liam, it’s about time you change that, don’t you? That thought of yours?" Derick pointed his finger at Liam.

Liam didn’t understand what Derick meant by his thoughts. Derick too agreed with him that he is not the smartest cookie or even worthy to be by Rory’s side.

But then he realized.

Maybe that’s what he has to change. Rather than feeling insufficient, he should believe in himself more. That awesome woman chose him, loved him, and went through all the trauma for his sake... And why would she have done that for some worthless being, right?

"Yeah, I am worthy of her!" he voiced his thought out loud.

Derick didn’t know his thought process, but he looked more confident, and he thought that was a good start.

"And you love her too," Derick said.

"Yes. That too." Liam nodded with a grin.

"Go, get her, tiger," Derick patted his shoulder.

Liam hugged him. "Thanks, Derick. I’m glad you are my cousin."

Liam ran to Rory’s room. Ellie had already fallen asleep. And he placed her in the crib. He sat by Rory’s side and held her hand.