Chapter 3: The Morning After
Chapter 3: The Morning After
By the time the sun crept over the horizon, painting the sky in pale, bruised colors, the narrative had already been spun. Vanessa’s family was one of the most powerful and well-connected in the city. They weren't about to let the "Runaway Groom" embarrass them without a fight.
Liam sat at his kitchen island, nursing a cold cup of black coffee. His phone was still buzzing relentlessly. He finally opened a news alert sent by his business partner. The headline glared back at him from a local society gossip site: COLD FEET OR COLD HEART? TECH CEO ABANDONS SOCIALITE HEIRESS AT THE ALTAR AMIDST MYSTERY BREAKDOWN.
The article was a masterclass in PR manipulation. It painted Vanessa as the heartbroken, devoted fiancée who was left sobbing at the altar, hinting heavily that Liam had snapped under the pressure of his upcoming software launch. There was absolutely zero mention of the eight-year-old girl locked on a freezing balcony.
"Daddy?"
Liam locked his phone screen instantly and turned around. Lily was standing in the doorway in her oversized pajamas, rubbing her eyes. She looked warm, safe, and entirely unharmed. A massive wave of relief washed over him.
"Hey, kiddo. How are you feeling?" he asked softly, walking over to scoop her up and set her on the kitchen counter.
"I'm okay. Are you sad about the wedding?" she asked, her big brown eyes searching his face.
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"I'm not sad," Liam said firmly. "I'm relieved. We're a team, remember? Just you and me. Nobody gets to treat my team like that."
Just then, the heavy brass knocker on his front door echoed through the quiet house. Liam glanced at the security monitor. It was Vanessa.
