face.

“Say that again,” Liam says, volce deceptively calm.

Stoneughs, clearly not grasping the dangerous shift in the air. “What? Touch a nerve, Callowayi?/ii” /i

Liam doesn’t blink, Doesn’t move. But there’s something in his stare that makes the amusement drain from Stone’s

“You can insult me all you want,” m says, volce low, controlled. “But you don’t get to talk about her like that. Ever.

Stone scoffs, trying to y it off. “Come on, man, you know how these girls are-

Liam’s fist collides with the table, hard enough to rattle the sses on top of it. “Watch. Your. Mouth.”

Silence.

Stone sways slightly, as if trying to decide whether pushing his luck is worth it.

Liam doesn’t give him the chance.

“Here’s the thing, Stone.” His voice is quiet, but every word cuts like a de. “Emilia is worth more than every pathetic insult you throw her way. And the fact that you’re standing here, drunk and bitterb, /bwhile she’s happy and thriving?” Liam

smirks, but there’s no humour in it. “Tells me exactly who the real loser is.”

Stone clenches his jaw, but for once, he doesn’t have aeback.

Liam turns to me, his expression softening instantly. “Come on, babe,” he murmurs,cing his fingers with bmine/bb. /b“Let’s get out of here.”

He doesn’t even spare Stone another nce.

The tension in the air is suffocating. My pulse pounds, my throat tight, but I refuse to let myself choke on the words threatening to spill out.olliit./li/ol

I stop walking, making Liam pause with me. His hand stays wrapped around mine, warm and steady, but I barely feel

“Em-” Liam startsb, /bconcerncing his voice.

I don’t look at him. My focus is locked on Stone.

“I have no idea why you hate me,” I say, loud enough for him to hear. “When I was with Zane, all I ever wanted was to be on good terms with you. I-” My breath catches, but I push through, my voice turning sharp as I re at him. “Actually, scratch that. I know exactly why you hate me.”

Stone raises a brow like he’s amused, but I see the way his jaw tightens.

“And you know what?” I scoff. “Thank God I’m not Zane’s ‘whore‘ anymoreb. /bThank God I can finally say whatever the hell I want without worrying about ruining your messed–up little friendship.”

Stone’s smirk falters, but I’m just getting started.

Chapter b62 /b

b“/bYes, Stone. I refused to sleep with you while I was with Zane. bYour /bbest friend, Big dealb. /bI tilt bmy /bbhead/b, bmy /bsmile bced /bwith venom. “Get over it.” (1)

The muscle in his jaw twitches.

“Wear your big boy pants and leave me the hell alone,” I continue, my voice rising. “It must bkill /byou to know bthat /bbthe /bso–called ‘slut of hockey‘ would rather throw herself off this ship than breathe the same air as you.”

Liam tenses beside me, his grip on my hand tightening, but he doesn’t stop me. Doesn’t pull me away. He lets me say it. Lets me burn.

Stone just stands there, his face nk. But I know I hit a nerve.

“Pathetic scum,” I finish, spitting the words like a final bullet before turning away.

Liam’s hand slides up my back, his touch gentleb, /bsoothing. He leans downb, /blips close to my ear. “You didn’t have to hold back so much, babe,” he murmurs, amusementced in his voice.

I let out a breath–half augh, half relief. Then I grab his hand and walk away, leaving Stone behind with nothing but my words ringing in his ears.

bChapter /bbComments /b

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