“Fighting for me?” I echo, voice bitter. “You think this is a fight? You think showing up after a damn year has passed and shoving letters in my face counts asfighting?”
Liam steps forward, jaw clenched. “Yeah... no. That’s not fighting for him, Tim. That’s barging into his life after he finally found some peace. Sofuck off.”
But Tim just doubles down. “I loved you! You loved me! And you’re punishing me by being with her? Just foronemistake?”
“One?” I snap, stepping toward him. “Youliedto me formonths—maybe since the beginning. You chose to cheat instead of coming clean. And then—you know what? You’re not even worth this stupid monologue.”
I turn.
“I wasprotectingus! I wanted to make su—”
“You were protecting yourself,” Liam snaps.
“Stay out of this, Liam!” He growls at him.
“Stay out of his life and Iwill,”Liam answers calmly.
But apparently calm has left the planet.
“I’m still here!” he screams, desperate now. “She isn’t butIam and I need you, Lucian. Please...”
And then—he tries to grab my hand.
That’s it.
I rip my arm away like it burned. I’m done.
“Don’t fucking touch me,” I seethe. “Get the fuck out of my face. Go crawl back into whatever corner of hell you came from, but don’tevercome near me again. If you don’t—getting a job won’t be your biggest problem.”
Tim staggers back, blinking like I slapped him. Then... he goes quiet. Too quiet.
And that’s when he says it.
“You can’t be serious about her.Thatgirl? You said it yourself. She barely even looks like a wo—”
My fist connects with his jaw so hard I hear the sickening crack before I even feel the pain in my knuckles.
“Fuck,” I hear Liam gasp.
Tim hits the sidewalk, lip split, blood already seeping down his chin. His eyes are wide, full of betrayal.
LikeI’mthe villain in his story. Hell, maybe I am.
Liam lunges, pulling me back by the collar of my jacket. “Don’t.”
I let him. I don’t fight it. My heart’s racing, my chest tight, my hands still curled into fists. But I let Liam pull me away because if I don’t, I’ll do it again.
Security runs over from the lobby, walkie-talkies crackling. One of them looks at me—recognition flaring.
“This man’s been stalking me,” I tell them, voice sharp but calm. “Harassingme. Don’t ever let him in the building.Ever. If he’s ever here—call the cops and inform me.”
They nod.
But Tim is still sitting there, blinking up at me—horror shadowing his eyes.
He never thought I’d actually do it. That I’d choose someone else. Or that I’d cut him out likethis.
Liam steps forward, looming over him like a goddamn executioner. “Leave Toronto, Tim. Or I swear to God, I’ll make it impossible for you to stay in the country. You think I can’t?Try me.Ireallyhope you do.”
