Lies and Funerals Under the Moon Chapter 12

Kate froze. She recognized the voice instantly.

She turned and saw Liam standing not far away.

He looked dusty and travel-worn, his face unable to hide his exhaustion.

When he first returned to the family, he had lost weight.

Now... he was even thinner. His clothes hung off him.

He didn't know how long he had been waiting. His eyes were red, clearly having seen the kiss between Kate and Ryder.

He couldn't describe the bitterness in his heart.

He looked at Kate with burning eyes, tears almost spilling over.

"I finally found you."

Both the Blackwood and Sterling families had tried to stop him.

They fed him false information, sending him running north and south for months, only to fail each time.

He had driven through the night the moment he got her real address. He didn't expect to see her kissing another man.

In the past, no matter how many people were around, Kate always saw him first. Now, she ignored him and ran into another man's arms.

Liam’s chest ached. He stared at her swollen lips and rasped, "Can we talk?"

Before Kate could speak, Ryder’s hand on her waist tightened.

His tone was jealous. "Who is this?"

Kate leaned against him and smiled faintly. "My ex-husband."

Ryder raised an eyebrow. "Ex-husband... shouldn't a good ex be like a dead person? Silent and invisible?"

"This ex of yours, pestering you after the divorce... seems like a sticky piece of gum."

Kate hadn't expected Ryder to have such a sharp tongue. She laughed out loud.

Liam’s face darkened. He looked coldly at Ryder. "This is between me and Kate. You have no right to speak!"

Ryder squeezed Kate’s waist. "Kate's business is my business."

He spoke to Liam, but his dark eyes were fixed on Kate.

It felt like she was important to him.

Kate paused, a strange emotion rising in her chest.

But she quickly pushed it down and glanced at Liam.

"I don't know how you found me, but I have nothing to talk to you about."

She looked up at Ryder. "Let's go."

She got into Ryder’s car.

Liam wouldn't give up. He rushed to the passenger side, banging on the window.

"Kate! Don't go! I really know I was wrong. I want to apologize..."

Kate glanced at him expressionlessly, then rolled up the window, shutting his voice out.

Shutting Liam out completely.

Ryder slammed on the gas.

Liam watched helplessly as Kate was driven away.

He clenched his fists, staring at the direction they vanished.

The car drove straight to the hotel Kate and Ryder frequented.

As soon as they entered the room, Kate hugged Ryder and kissed him proactively.

The man paused for only a second before taking control, kissing her back aggressively.

Until Kate was on the bed, clothes half off, Ryder suddenly stopped.