As he sat at his desk, drinking his coffee and reading the paper, he couldn't help but feel like something was missing from his life. It'd been not that long ago his entire world had been taken from him in a stroke of sheer cruelty. The love of his life, Steffy, had married Wyatt; his brother. However, the more he thought about the recent events, the more he found himself perplexed by the sudden lack of emotion and feeling he had towards her. Wyatt's mother, Quinn, had caused his marriage to Steffy to fall apart and yet, Liam had no urge to pursue a relationship with Steffy, to pick up their lives right where they left off. A knock at the door.
"Liam?" Steffy poked her head in, through the office door. "Do you have a minute?"
"Um, S-sure. What do you need?"
"I just wanted to talk to you…about…us."
"Us?" He had completely forgotten about their previous conversations about the love and history they have with each other. They talked about her leaving Wyatt and coming back to him.
"Liam, you were right. No matter how much I tried to tell myself, I still love you. I always have."
He couldn't help himself. To look into those eyes and see the universe gleam behind them. His universe. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay and they could finally be together, but the feeling. This aching feeling in the pit of his stomach and the center of his chest. What was it? What did it mean?
"No." His mouth said the words before his mind could tell him not to say it; you idiot.
"W-what? Did you just say no? No what?"
"I…I can't be with you Steffy, not anymore." He could see her face twist and tears start to form in her eyes. Tear drops of the universe.
"W-what? Why not? Are you still mad about Wyatt? That's over now! I want you! It's always been you!" She was breaking down. She bore her soul and heart to him and he had denied her. Why?
"I'm not mad. I could never be mad at you. If you and I were to be together, my brother would be crushed. Wyatt's heart would be broken, and I don't think I could live with myself knowing I was the cause of all that pain he'd feel. I'm sorry."
She bowed her head and held it in her hands, not saying a word. Just crying, unable to move. What should she do now? Should she leave or stay and fight for the man she loves?
"I will always love you, Steffy. There will always be a place for you in my heart, but I can't. I can't and I won't betray my brother."
"But he betrayed you! Why give him this kindness?!" She was desperate, she wanted answers and for her pain to melt away.
"He may have betrayed me, but he is still my brother and I love him and I want to avoid causing him anymore pain than he is already feeling from your divorce."
She didn't know what else to say. She felt angry and embarrassed. Looking around the room then back to Liam and then finally walking out the door, leaving the office door open, behind her.
Liam just stood there looking at the open door, the door the universe had walked out through. As much as he loved her, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, as if an enormous weight had been lifted off his chest; he could breathe.
The phone rang. Sitting back down at his desk, Liam looked at the caller ID. It was coming from inside the building, Spencer Publications. He picked up the phone,
"Hello?"
"Liam? It's Wyatt."
"Hey, what's up? You know we're only a few offices away from each other. You could've just walked over here." Liam found this amusing, laughing to himself lightly, but not enough for Wyatt to hear.
"I know, but I heard Steffy was in the building and the only reason she'd be here is for you. She was here for you wasn't she?"
I took Liam a moment to answer. He had to answer, eventually.
"Liam?" Wyatt's voice snapped him back to reality. He didn't want to say yes, but if he said any different he'd be lying and he didn't want to lie, it's only cause his brother more pain. Your own brother lying to you about a simple, one-word answer.
"Yes."
"And?"
"And what?" What else did Wyatt want him to say? What kind of question is 'And?'
"What did she say?" Liam could hear the cracking in his voice, the wondering, the sadness, and the heartbreak. Liam stood by his feelings on the lying.
"The she loves me still and wants to get back together. To pick up our lives right where they left off."
"Oh." More sadness and more heartbreak.
"But I told her no."
"W-what?!" Wyatt is beyond shocked and confused, "Why would you do that? She's Steffy!"
"She may be Steffy, but you're my brother and your wants and needs come first and I don't wish to hurt you any further. Being with her is not worth losing you as my brother for. I love you Wyatt, and I am going to see you through this divorce and this pain. Anything you need, anytime, anywhere, I'm there."
