The Secret Obsession of the CEO
Chapter 37: Not Taking A Chance

Chapter 37: Not Taking A Chance

Frank sat beside his mother and kneaded his knees. "They are going to meet Agnes, right? We’ll see what happens..." Spikes climbed up the couch and slouched beside Frank and he petted him.

Dorothy nodded looking at the floor. "He asked and she signed? How could that be...?" she sighed.

"I am not surprised he asked for a divorce, but I can’t believe that Rory signed it without ..." Claire rubbed her lips. "They have a baby! She wouldn’t have signed it without causing a fuzz. Are you sure Mrs. Delport is right?" Claire asked Dorothy.

A week back, when Mrs. Delport visited them and told them about talks of divorce between Liam and Rory, no one in the family believed it. Liam was the one who wanted to marry Rory and although they were worried at first, those two lived life blissfully.

When Rory informed them of her pregnancy they were delighted beyond belief. There is no way she would have hidden the fact that Liam asked for a divorce.

But Mrs. Delport has no reason to lie!

"When I met Rory today she was crying... He was making her cry and just walked away seeing me..." Frank said. "How much more of his shit will she take?"

They knew Rory would arrive here with or without Liam. He was happy to see Liam with her but he was hurt to see Rory crying.

"Liam... we all know how he is... We... I thought he would never hurt her but... Guess he cannot change his spots," Frank shrugged. His eyes blinked fast and he sighed in disappointment.

"He...what can we do with him? She was the one who could bear with him. And now he is pushing her away too... Maybe he’s a lost cause!" Frank voiced his sadness. Claire sat beside him and held his hand to comfort him.

"He’ll come around, Frank. Don’t worry," she said. Frank smiled back but there was no mirth in his smile. He was vexed.

Claire could only sigh. Frank has been constantly worrying for Liam for years. He was greatly relieved after Rory’s arrival and he was the one who got very happy to see them having a happy married life. He was worried about his association with Lennon, but when his business took off, Frank was exhilarated. When they had a child, he was greatly relieved that Liam is settled in life.

But his happiness didn’t last long. On the day of the baby’s birth, Liam caused a commotion making Frank despaired. Claire still blames herself for being unable to contain her happiness in front of Liam knowing that he does not like seeing her happy.

And now they are hearing about the divorce...

How can everyone in the family truly be happy when they see one of them suffering? When will Liam have his happiness? If he is pushing Rory away... he should be suffering greatly! How can he be healed?

The three of them sat in silence for a while. Frank stood up.

"Just stay away from his sight for the time being," Frank told Claire and walked to the door.

"Hiding from your son... what kind of family is this?" Dorothy said with tears in her eyes. She didn’t like to see Claire hiding from Liam as if he is some monster. He is just a troubled child and not a monster.

"I am tired, mom..." Frank bowed his head. "I am tired of losing the people I love..." Frank looked up and his eyes were red.

"Do you think Liam will hurt-"

"I don’t know, mom! If he could treat Rory that way, then..." Frank walked to the door. "I am not going to take a chance!"

Claire sat on the couch rubbing her forehead. She didn’t know what she should do now. Liam almost pushed her down the stairs once and she would be lying if she says that she is not scared of him.

But still... he is a good boy!

"Where are you going?" Dorothy stood up.

The lack of peace in the household is not letting her sleep at night. At this age, all she asks for is some peace and to see her kids and grandkids living happily.

Is that too much to ask?

"I’ll be out in the garage," Frank said without turning back and banging the door he exited.

"I’ll get you your medicines, mom," Claire stood up.

Dorothy nodded. Looking at Claire’s back, she quickly wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks.

-----

Rory hugged Ellie closer standing in front of the door. The flower pots at the sides of the door and the big "Welcome" mat were not very inviting for her. She heard the sound of chickens from the coop in the backyard and the voices of the people who care for the animals in the house reached her as mumbles.

Everything was familiar... even her loud heartbeats.

All she has to do is knock on the door but her hands shook out of fear. She doesn’t know why but she always would feel like entering an examination hall whenever she enters her home.

She checked herself once more.

Dress—check, makeup—check, shoes—check, Baby—well-fed and presentable, what else...

As she was wondering, Liam walked past her and knocked on the door. She took a step back and Liam reached out and held her hand. He then knocked on the door with his left hand. It was then she noticed the familiar shiny metal around his finger.

Ah... Why is he wearing the wedding band?

Her eyes ended up at her hand and it was then she realized that she is wearing a ring too. And that too it was the ring she returned just this morning. If she is having that ring on her finger, there is only one possibility.

"Liam!" she loud whispered pulling his sleeves.

"What? You want to run away?" he smirked seeing her anxious face.

Rory gritted her teeth. "That’s not~"

Her loud whisper was interrupted by the opening of the door and she froze seeing Mrs. Delport. But Liam with a bright smile hugged her and got inside while dragging her inside.

Rory was too nervous she barely said a word. Mrs. Delport talked about Agnes Roberts’ health. She told that thankfully she forgot about her tantrum from the previous day and has already had her dinner. She expressed her happiness to see Ellie.

Sometime later, as the buzzer sounded, Mrs. Delport went to get Rory’s grandmother.

"No one knows about the divorce?" she whispered in his ears and he turned and looked at her.

"Can you imagine how every one of them will behave when they know of it?" he whispered back. "They’ll act as if the whole world has ended."

He got Ellie from her hand casually.

"Has it not, Liam?" Rory asked stretching her arms that were tired after holding Ellie for some time. A layer of mist formed in her eyes. He appeared to be more concerned about others’ reactions than about the divorce itself. And he is not willing to talk to her about the divorce. She realized that when he changed the topic earlier.

Liam looked at her and his heart skipped a beat. The extent he had hurt her...

"Did you love me that much..." he mumbled.

To feel that the world has ended... Did she love me that much? Did the divorce come as that much of a surprise?

Rory looked at his face. He looked serious. She didn’t understand how he could ask this question easily as if he didn’t know how much she loved him. She let out a snort. "Everything’s a joke for you, Liam," she let out a sigh.

Liam’s eyes widened. He was not joking. He was serious. He knows that she loves him. But at the same time, he truly wanted to hear it from her.

Because she never told him that she loved him... not even once.

Both pairs of eyes met; one filled with pain and the other with expectation. But no one told the other what they feel.

"Gi--gaa--gi..." the soft voice of the baby snapped them out of their thoughts. Rory turned to see her grandmother walking to the living room with a help of a walker.

"Grandma," Rory stood up and walked to her.

Her heart almost stopped seeing her grandmother. She had lost a lot of weight and her movements had become very limited.

At that moment, her fear washed away and it was replaced with concern. She has always seen her grandmother with her back straight and eyes sharp. But this Old lady she is seeing looked small and clueless.

The disease she has had turned her into someone else. And Rory felt her heart squeeze in pain.

"I am so glad to see you, grandma," she hugged her grandmother. She spoke those words from her heart.