Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

rivals, after all, aren't we?”

Izzy snorted, grabbing another glass of whiskey. She should've known what to expect when she saw him. Liam

Horvath wasn’t the type to show sympathy-he’d rather talk business than show a shred of concern.

“Slow down. Liam's voice broke through the haze, his tone more of an order than a suggestion.

Izzy snapped her head toward him, her eyes narrowing, “What do you care?” she spat, her voice sharp. “You

must be loving this. You're probably laughing atright now,” She attempted to walk towards him but felt her

world start spinning. A curse. left her lips.

Liam chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent a shiver through her despite her anger. “You're right,” he said,

leaning back against the bar. his eyes locked on hers. “You do look pathetic right now. Definitely not the Izzy |

remember growing up with.”

The words hit hard, cutting through her drunken haze like a knife. She hated him at that moment-hated how he

could always push her buttons. Her glare intensified as she composed herself. The room tilted slightly as she did.

But she didn’t back down. She never did with Liam.

Seeing her current state, Liam chuckled.

“Oh, screw you, Liam,” she snapped. “Stop laughing at me.”

He didn’t flinch. Didn't react to her outburst. Instead, he took a step toward her, closing the space between them

in one fluid motion. Izzy could feel the heat radiating off him, the tension crackling between them like a live wire.

“Is that all you've got?” he murmured, his voice low and taunting as always.

Izzy clenched her fists at her sides, feeling the pulse of anger mixed with something else-something she didn’t

want to acknowledge.

Before Izzy could turn her head away, Liam’s hand shot out, his fingers gripping her chin firmly, forcing her to

look at him. His eyes were sharp, cutting through the space between them with a mix of frustration and

something darker.

g over another man?”

The words hit her like a slap. 1zzy’s chest tightened. Anger surged up her throat. She gritted her teeth, her pulse

pounding in her ears. The last thing she wanted was to feel vulnerable in front of him, of all people. Not now. Not

when she had chosen to walk away from him all those years ago, forcing her grandfather to end their

engagement the moment she met Calen.

“Isn't it pathetic,” he said, his voice low and taunting. “How the woman I’m supposed to marry is crying

1/3

13:10 Wed, Jan

Chapter 4

Here she was-standing in front of Liam, falling apart like sweak, broken mess. For a moment, she thought

maybe falling off the side of the building would be easier than this. But then she remembered what she had seen

and heard earlier. and anger flared inside her like a lava about to explode. No. Facing Liam was better than

letting those people get away with their betrayal

Izzy's eyes burned. She jerked her chin free from his grip. She wouldn't let them get away with it! 1zzy’s breath

cout sharp as she stared at Liam, her anger boiling over. Her mind was spinning from the alcohol and from

everything she had just endured. Driven purely by rage, she blurted out the words that surprised even herself.

“Then Marry me.”

For a moment, she couldn't believe what had just cout of her mouth. Why was she speaking before her

brain could catch up! She silently blamed the alcohol.

She hadn't meant to say it, but once they were out, she couldn't take them back. She was too angry, too hurt,

and too far

gone to cute.

Liam's expression froze for a split second, his eyes widening just enough to show he hadn't expected that. His

laughter started low, rumbling deep in his throat before crupting fully. It was a laugh filled with disbelief,

amusement, and maybe a little mockery.

“Marry you?” he repeated, still laughing. His eyes danced with amusement as if she’d just told the most

ridiculous joke.

Izzy's jaw tightened, her fingers digging into her palms as she glared at him. The sound of his laughter ortly

fueled the fire inside her. She felt her heart beating faster, her pulse thrumming with adrenaline. Fine. He wanted

to laugh: Let him laugh!

“Yeah,” she said, her voice stronger this time, her chin lifting in defiance. “Marry me.”

Liam’s laughter trailed off, his expression sobering. He stared at her, the amusement fading from his face as the

seriousness of her tone finally hit him. His eyes narrowed slightly, studying her as if he was trying to figure out

what gshe was playing

She narrowed. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her and, for sunknown reason, this made her feel

bolder, more reckless, and desperate for skind of release from the storm swirling inside her.

“You think this is funny?” she snapped, her voice trembling. “Today was supposed to be my anniversary with

Calen. | was supposed to give him everything tonight-everything” She took a breath, steadying herself. Then,

with slow, deliberate movements, she reached up and unbuttoned her coat, sliding it off her shoulders. The soft

fabric fell to the floor, revealing the sultry lingerie she had chosen just for Calen.

Liam's eyes flickered with something unreadable as they moved over her. He didn’t say anything, didn’t move,

just watched her, his gaze hardening.

Izzy met his eyes, her anger and vulnerability battling inside her, but she didn’t look away, she couldn’t.. “Marry

me,” she repeated, her voice daring him, challenging him. “You're always there, always remindingof what |

gave up. So why don’ you just take it? Marryand be done with it!”

Liam's jaw clenched. His eyes darkened, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt

heavy, thick with unspoken words, old memories, and years of unresolved tension.

However, Izzy held his gaze, refusing to back down. She didn’t know if she meant it or if she was just trying to

make him fer something-anything. But in that moment, she wanted to see if he would rise to the challenge, if he

would take the bait.

Liam stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His eyes locked onto hers. He didn’t laugh. He didn’t

mock her Instead, he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin, his voice low and controlled.

“Is that what you really want, Izzy?” Her nrolled off his lips, the sound making her heart skip. He stepped

closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “Because if you say it again,” his voice deepened. “I won't be laughing.”

Izzy's heart raced, her pulse thundering in her ears. She hadn't expected this. She hadn't expected hinr to take

her seriously

Chapter 4

For the first time, Izzy hesitated, but she didn’t step back. She h anger and something else something raw and

undeniable.

And in that moment, she realized, maybe she wasn’t joking afici

She swallowed hard. Then before she could think about everyth

SEND GIFT

Chapter 4

For the first time, Izzy hesitated, but she didn’t step back. She anger and something else-something raw and

undeniable.

And in that moment, she realized, maybe she wasn’t joking aft

She swallowed hard. Then before she could think about every

13:10 Wed, Jan 1 Gr

Chapter 4

For the first time, Izzy hesitated, but she didn’t step back. She held her ground, her emotions swirling in a

chaotic mess of anger and something else-something raw and undeniable,

And in that moment, she realized, maybe she wasn't joking after all.

She swallowed hard. Then before she could think about everything else, she uttered. “Marry me.”