As the days turned into weeks, Liam’s business continued to grow. With Mark’s investment, he was able to purchase more tools and materials, and even hired a part-time assistant to help manage the workload. He was determined to make Bennett & Co. a success—not just for himself, but for Sarah too. The thought of creating a stable future fueled his every move.
One sunny afternoon, while Liam was finishing a job at a client’s house, his phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Sarah.
“I need to talk to you. Can you meet me at the café later?”
His heart raced at the tone of her message. They had been dealing with so much pressure lately, and he hoped this wasn’t another confrontation with her father.
“Sure! See you there,” he replied, quickly wrapping up the last of his work.
When he arrived at the café, he spotted Sarah sitting at a table near the window, her brow furrowed in thought. He walked over, concern etched on his face. “What’s wrong?”
She looked up, forcing a smile. “Nothing. Just thinking about everything.”
Liam sat down, reaching across the table to take her hand. “You can tell me anything, you know that.”
“I know,” she said, squeezing his hand. “I just feel overwhelmed. My exhibition is coming up soon, and I want it to go well, but my dad is still putting so much pressure on me.”
“Have you spoken to him since that last meeting?”
“Not really. I’ve been avoiding him. I just want to focus on my art and not get dragged into another fight,” she admitted.
“Maybe it’s time to confront him again,” Liam suggested gently. “You’ve come so far, and you deserve to pursue your passion without his interference.”
“I know, but it’s complicated. I don’t want to lose my family over this.” Her voice trembled slightly.
“We’ll figure it out together,” Liam assured her. “You’re not alone in this.”
As they talked, a sense of resolve began to wash over Sarah. “You’re right. I need to be true to myself, even if it’s hard. I can’t keep living in his shadow.”
Liam smiled, feeling proud of her determination. “That’s the spirit. Just remember, no matter what happens, we’ll get through it together.”
But as Sarah felt empowered, a sudden thought struck her. “What about your business? How’s it going?”
Liam hesitated, contemplating how much to share. “It’s doing well, actually. Mark’s investment has helped a lot. I’ve got a couple of big jobs lined up, and I think I’m starting to build a solid reputation.”
“That’s amazing, Liam!” Sarah exclaimed, her eyes shining. “I knew you could do it. You’ve worked so hard.”
As they chatted about their dreams and aspirations, Liam felt a renewed sense of hope. They were both on the cusp of something great, but just as he was beginning to envision a bright future, Sarah’s phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a message from her mother.
“We need to talk. Your father is serious about his plans for you.”
The light in Sarah’s eyes dimmed as she read the message, and Liam’s heart sank. “What did she say?”
“She wants me to come home tonight,” Sarah replied, her voice shaking slightly. “It sounds urgent.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” Liam asked, anxiety creeping into his mind.
“No, I think I should face this on my own,” she said, determination in her tone. “It’s time I stood up for myself.”
Liam admired her resolve but couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that hung in the air. “Just remember what we talked about. You’re strong enough to handle this.”
As they parted ways, Liam’s mind raced with worries. He spent the rest of the day distracted, focusing on work but finding it hard to shake off the unease.
That night, as he lay in bed, the hours dragged on, and sleep eluded him. The clock ticked relentlessly, each second heightening his anxiety about Sarah’s confrontation with her father. He was proud of her, but he couldn’t help but fear for her.
When he finally received a message from Sarah, it was late.
“I’m home. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
Liam’s heart raced. He knew the weight of that message could mean anything. Was it a good sign, or had things gone horribly wrong?
The next morning, he woke up early, a sense of urgency propelling him to check his phone. Just then, a call came through. It was Sarah.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
“Can we meet? I need to talk,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Of course. I’ll be right there.”
Liam hurriedly got dressed and raced over to the café. As he arrived, he found Sarah sitting at the same table, looking pale and drained. The atmosphere felt heavy with unspoken words.
“Tell me what happened,” he urged, sliding into the seat across from her.
Sarah took a deep breath, her hands trembling. “It was worse than I expected. My father… he gave me an ultimatum. He said if I don’t break things off with you, he’ll cut me out of his will completely.”
Liam felt a sharp pang in his chest. “What did you say?”
“I told him I’m not going to stop seeing you,” she said defiantly. “I chose my path, and I won’t let him control my life anymore.”
Relief washed over Liam, but it was quickly overshadowed by the gravity of her words. “What did he say?”
“He was furious,” she replied, tears brimming in her eyes. “He said he would do everything in his power to ruin you, Liam. He can’t stand the thought of his daughter with someone like you.”
A fire ignited within Liam. “Let him try! I won’t back down. I’ll show him that I’m worthy of you, no matter what.”
But Sarah’s expression faltered. “What if he threatens your business? What if he tries to hurt you?”
“I’ll deal with it. We’re in this together, remember?” he said firmly, trying to ease her worry.
As they held each other’s gaze, a silent understanding passed between them. They would fight together against the forces that threatened to tear them apart. Liam’s heart swelled with a mix of fear and determination.
Over the next few days, they faced the repercussions of Sarah’s defiance head-on. Her father began spreading rumors about Liam, trying to tarnish his reputation in their community. At first, Liam felt overwhelmed, but with Sarah by his side, they began to strategize ways to counter the attacks.
Liam focused on building his business and gaining support from satisfied clients, while Sarah prepared for her exhibition. The event was a crucial moment for her, and they hoped it would be a chance to showcase her talent and strength.
As the day of the exhibition approached, the tension hung thick in the air. They both felt the weight of their choices, but they clung to the hope that their love could overcome any obstacle.
On the night of the exhibition, Sarah stood in front of her artwork, her heart racing. Liam watched her from a distance, filled with pride. The gallery buzzed with people admiring her pieces, and for the first time in a long while, Sarah felt free.
But as they celebrated her success, Henry Bennett lurked in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.