Liana's POV:
I was lying on the bed with Ethilia sleeping deeply beside me. I smiled a little and brushed away the strand of hair covering her face.
She was so tired that she fell asleep the moment she lay down. My sleepy-head.
I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead, then gently pulled her closer so we could cuddle. She shifted at my careful tug and instinctively nuzzled into my chest.
I couldn't help the grin that curled on my lips. Kissing the top of her head again, I nuzzled into her hair as a small sigh escaped me.
She's so beautiful… and that tiny smile on her lips? It could light up the darkest room. How can anyone hurt this woman? How can anyone make her cry?
Gosh, even imagining someone hurting her makes my chest burn… but the worst part is knowing I wasn't there. I didn't turn around. I didn't go back.
I should have. I should've gone back. If I had, maybe she wouldn't have gone through all this... Maybe I was at fault too? She became this miserable because she defended me.
I swallowed hard and squeezed my eyes shut as I held her closer.
She shifted again, this time pulling away from my arms, turning over to find a better sleeping position.
I let out a soft chuckle and carefully slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake her. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table and quietly walked out to the balcony.
I sat down on the chair and hesitated for a moment before calling Finley… yes, that Finley Bennett.
She was warm to the people she cared about, but she wasn't any less than a monster to anyone who messed with her or the ones she loved.
But the most wonderful thing about her? She hated people who did wrong and never regretted their deeds.
No, she didn't break the law; she just knew how to make their lives miserable in ways that left them wondering what they'd done. That was her power… and her nature.
Not many people knew her real identity. Everyone knew her name, but seeing her face was something only luck could give you.
The luck was mine that Laura somehow forced me to attend an event, and Finley happened to be there too. That's how I ended up knowing her at all.
God… this woman terrifies me. But this fear was nothing compared to the fire inside me. Ever since I saw Ethilia breaking, crying, trying to hold herself together, revenge was always there in my mind.
At first, I just wanted to move on with her and leave the past alone… but not after knowing the brutal planning he did just because she slapped him. It enraged me...
I looked up at the sky and sighed, closing my eyes. "I don't know if it's wrong or right… but I want him to suffer. And his cousin. And everyone who had a hand in hurting her."
I waited a few seconds before the call finally connected. Her cold and commanding voice came from the other end. "Miss Celeste. May I know to what do I owe this… unexpected call from you?"
I swallowed hard and tightened my grip on the chair. "Miss Bennett… I wanted some help from you." My voice was clearly shaking and i knew that.
She chuckled, and the sound alone sent a shiver down my spine. "So, the famous Miss Idol wants to ruin someone's life?"
My eyes widened, and my heart started pounding so fast it hurt. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
"It's fine," she said calmly, and that kind of calmness only meant danger. Especially when it came from Finley Bennett.
"Who is she? The person you want to ruin?" she asked.
I froze for a second before answering in a shaky voice, "It's not a she. His name is Ryan… I don't know the last name, or maybe I don't want to remember it. He was..."
I hesitantly told Finley everything I could recall about him. About the college, his influential family, everything about him and his cousin.
Once I was done, I waited for her to say something, but there wasn't a sound from the other end.
I frowned and moved the phone away from my ear to check if the call was still connected.
My frown deepened as I saw she was on the line but wasn't saying a word. God, I was terrified, and my hands were shaking like hell.
I pressed the phone back to my ear but couldn't bring myself to speak. I knew she must be angry… and angry Finley was the last thing I ever wanted to cross in my whole damn life.
After a few long minutes, she finally spoke. "So… he and his cousin, right? I think I've found them."
My jaw dropped, but I quickly cleared my throat, trying to hide how shocked I was. "Oh… this soon?"
She let out a dark laugh and whispered, "Don't worry, Liana. I hate people who do wrong. And I never cared about who the person was. Wrong is wrong. He'll get exactly what he deserves."
Cold sweat gathered on my forehead even though the night was chilly. Talking to her felt more terrifying than the weather. I could only hum and mumble a small thank you.
"Keep your eyes on the news tomorrow," she said before hanging up without waiting for my reply.