Chapter 20 Stop Right There!


    The one thing Liam couldn’t resist was the way Erin looked at him, like he was the only thing she could


    count on.


    “Don’t stress, Erin. I’ve got it handled,” Liam said, patting his chest like he meant it.


    That night, he hung around the living room, waiting for Tracy to get back so they could finally talk things through.


    But somewhere along the way, he nodded off on the couch.


    When Tracy came in, she spotted him right away. Still, she didn’t stop or say anything. She just turned her head and went straight to her room.


    She used to wake him if she caught him sleeping on the couch. Either that, or she’d toss a nket over him.


    But every single time, he’d snap, “Can you not? Why can’t you be more like Erin and just leave me alone? You’re seriously annoying.”


    Well, now she got the message. Loud and clear. He didn’t want her fussing over him anymore, and she was going to respect that.


    The next morning, Tracy left before anyone else woke up. She didn’t even nce in Liam’s direction.


    It wasn’t until the maid called out that he finally woke up.


    As he sat up, a chill ran through him, making him sneeze. He reached around for a nket, but there was nothing there.


    That was when it hit him.


    He rubbed his head, irritated. “Where’s Tracy? Didn’t she notice me here? Why didn’t she wake me or cover me up?”


    His voice came out sharp, irritated. The maid stood there awkwardly for a moment before saying, “Ms. Tracy’s been waking up really earlytely. She left a long time ago.”


    As for the nket or waking him up …


    Wasn’t he always the one yelling at her when she did that?


    Of course, the maid didn’t say any of that out loud.


    Liam asked if she knew where Tracy had gone, but the maid had no clue. She shook her head honestly.


    A wave of irritation washed over him.


    Is she trying to get under my skin on purpose?


    He yanked out his phone, ready to give her a call and let her have it. But after scrolling for a bit, he realized her number wasn’t even saved anymore.


    The only pinned contact at the top of his list was Erin.


    He stared at the screen, a little dazed. That top spot used to belong to a number he’d blocked a while back. Tracy’s number.


    But he didn’t me himself. She used to nag nonstop, never giving him space. After blocking her, everything felt calmer.


    Back then, when she found out she’d been blocked, she tried sucking up to him for weeks just to get unblocked.


    But Liam wasn’t the type to cave just because someone was nice.


    She probably figured out being sweet wasn’t working and must’ve changed tactics, acting distant to push me into making the first move.


    Now that he saw through her little n, his frown deepened, and a look of disgust crossed his face.


    I actually thought that after spending two years at the Angelic Etiquette Academy, she’de back improved. Instead, she’s just more sly.


    I’m not about to fall for it.


    Still, Erin put in a lot of effort nning a wee dinner, and she really wants me to bring Tracy. I don’t want to let her down.


    Fine. I’ll call Tracy, pass along the message, then block her again.


    No way I’m letting that woman win.


    Feeling like justice was on his side, Liam removed her number from the block list and hit call.


    He was fully prepared to call her out, say what he needed to say, and drop the info about the dinner.


    But instead of hearing her voice, he got a recorded message. “The number you have dialed is no longer in service…


    19


    It felt like something had grabbed him by the throat and cut him off mid-thought.


    He called again. Then again. A few more times. Each time, the same cold response. “The number you have dialed is no longer in service…”


    He just sat there, stunned.


    She’s been using this number since she was a kid.. Why would it be disconnected now?


    Then it clicked.


    She probably figured I’d try calling, so she cut the number off on purpose to force me to show up in person.


    She’s really good at ying games now.


    Liam didn’t want to give in. But he also didn’t want to disappoint Erin. So he stayed home, waiting, annoyed and restless.


    He nned to call her out, break down her whole little act, and stop her right there.


    He was so mad this time that he didn’t even fall asleep.


    When Tracy finally came home looking worn out and drained, the first thing she saw was Liam sitting there, staring her down like a storm was brewing.


    She gave him a quick look, then turned away and headed for her room.


    That ticked Liam off even more. He jumped up from the couch. “Stop right there!”


    Tracy paused and turned back, her face unreadable. “What do you want, Mr. Liam?”


    The way she said it-cold and emotionless-felt like someone just threw gas on Liam’s already burning temper. “You’ve got some nerve asking me that. You really think I don’t see what you’re trying to pull?”