Aging alongside Izabella, what a luxurious desire, one that he dared not even entertain.
There was no retreat for him, only to bullishly charge forth, even if it was a wall in front of him, he would crash into it, bloodied and battered, rather than turn back.
"I haven't done anything wrong. I just loved her in my way," Brett's eyes were bloodshot and frightening.
"Is that how you treat her?" Liam, unable to control his emotions, clenched his fists, refraining from pointing his fingers at him, "Honestly, you've treated Ms. Salotti worse than you did Kaley. You cherished Kaley, you rushed to find a blood donor when she had a car accident, you gave her whatever she wanted, and you believed her no matter what she did. Even if she messed up, you easily forgave her. Do you remember how Ms. Salotti lost her first child, Mr. President? It was due to Ms. Cornett's false accusations, and you played a part in it!"
Did Brett not know that it was Kaley's doing? No, he knew. The evidence was right in front of him, yet he chose to side with Kaley.
From the moment Izabella was consumed by the fire, he came to a realization. It was not the fire that killed Izabella, but the cruelty of humanity and the indifference of the bystanders.
Liam still remembered Izabella at the charity gala, in a red dress, holding a glass of red wine, chatting and laughing with others. She was so confident and flamboyant, but to him, she felt alien.
Such a dazzling woman, worn down by years, made them forget her initial charm. All that remained was the memory of a bird with broken wings.
Brett's thoughts were muddled, the pain making him mentally unstable, his mind drifting back to the past, forcibly pulled back by Liam.
That was the image that haunted him on countless nights - Izabella in the hospital, suffering from depression, her eyes so broken that it couldn't be described as heartbroken, looking like an abandoned rag doll, her dark pupils covered with a thick layer of despair.
Brett tried to suppress the agonizing pain in his chest, but his trembling breath gave him away. His lips quivered, "That's all in the past."
"It's never been in the past. The past you think of is just your perception. Look at your fingernails, look at the scars on your chest. These haven't disappeared. How can you say it's in the past?" Liam's voice suddenly became subdued.
"President Windham, don't talk about what's good for her anymore. What she doesn't accept as good is not good."
With a bang, Brett couldn't control his anger, this time raising his fist and landing a punch on Liam.
His health was already deteriorating; coupled with a lack of sleep and the shock, the punch didn't hurt much when it landed, but the sudden motion still made Liam step back. His gaze remained calm, not startled by Brett's punch.
Liam's eyes were like calm lakes, quietly watching Brett.
After Izabella's death, he chose to speak the truth, saying a lot, but Brett took in very little. He was not a relationship counselor; he couldn't make a person give up a relationship and quietly await death.
Brett's journey had been full of ups and downs, making it impossible for him to just wait for death, doing nothing.
Brett had fully inherited the Windham family's genes - he was aloof, ruthless, suspicious, and unpredictable. He was good at hiding them from outsiders, but those who knew him were aware that he was not a patient man.
Seeing Brett like this, Liam knew he hadn't taken his words to heart.
He suddenly found Brett pathetic and laughable, never understanding how to truly love someone till his death.
Had Izabella not given Brett chances? She had given plenty. She spent four years, and the rain falling from the eaves could have eroded a stone by then. She cast aside her pride, only short of kneeling and begging him to look back at her.
But Brett's actions disappointed her time and time again. The flower had already wilted, and now he thought of watering it, but it was too late.
After punching Liam, Brett coughed, clutching his chest, tears welling up and falling.
Liam said, "President Windham, let it go. Her world belongs to her; it has nothing to do with you."
Brett gave him a cold glance, "No, I'm not done yet. I want to prove to her that I'm right. I was wrong before but now I'm not. If you want to persuade me to give up, then get lost!"
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