Marrying My Father's Enemy-Chapter 32: Rumours…

Chapter 32: Rumours...

Eira stepped up to the hospital counter, sliding her credit card across to pay.

Liam stood by her side and watched silently.

"Thank you, Ms. Hax," the nurse said, handing back her card.

Eira gave a faint smile, putting her card away. She turned to Liam. "So, where are you staying?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

"With you," he replied simply, releasing his hands.

"You can’t stay with me," she stated. "My own place. It’s... complicated."

He raised an eyebrow. "Eira, I’m your brother. And your husband is dying. You think I’m leaving you alone?"

She sighed, knowing he wouldn’t let this go. "Fine. Just... try not to cause any trouble, alright? And Callian will not die. I know him."

They made their way to her penthouse, and Liam’s eyes widened as soon as he stepped in.

The spacious, luxurious rooms, the polished floors, the view of the city—everything felt surreal.

"Nice place," he commented, whistling softly. "You live here?"

"Yes," she muttered, moving towards the kitchen. "But... don’t get too comfortable."

He wandered over to a locked door, trying the handle. It didn’t budge. "What’s in here?"

"That’s Callian’s room. It’s always locked," she said flatly.

He shrugged, moving back to the main area. "Fine. I’ll take the couch."

"No," she insisted, looking at him. "You can’t stay there. I’ll get you a blanket for the guest room. I’m going to get ready for my classes tomorrow, so try not to make a mess."

As she busied herself with her preparations, the front door suddenly opened, and Leina walked in.

Her eyes fell on Eira, then moved to the sight of Liam.

"What is this?" Leina hissed like a cobra and marched over. "Eira, who is this man? How dare you bring another man here while my son is lying in a coma?"

Eira’s face turned red. "Leina, please, it’s not what you think—"

"Not what I think? You can’t even wait until he’s out of the hospital before bringing men into his home?"

"Leina, listen to me!" Eira said in a shaking voice. "This is my brother. He’s my half-brother, Liam."

Leina’s eyes widened from anger. She raised her hand and slapped Eira hard across the face. "Don’t lie to me!" she spat.

Liam immediately stepped between them, grabbing Leina’s wrist. "Stop. She’s telling the truth. I’m her brother. Now, back off."

Leina wrenched her hand free, her face split in two.

"You don’t tell me what to do," she snapped, then slapped Liam as well. "Both of you, get out of my son’s home. Right. Now."

Eira took a shaky breath, her face was still stinging from the slap. "You know what, Leina? I’ve had enough. All this time, I’ve been nothing but respectful to you, even when you’ve treated me like I’m nothing. But you? You’re a terrible person. A horrible mother. And an even worse human being."

Leina’s mouth fell open in shock.

Eira straightened, meeting her glare without any intimidation or fear. "I’m done pretending. If you want us out, fine. But I won’t take your abuse anymore."

Leina’s face went pale, her hands trembled. She said nothing, just turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Liam looked at Eira, "Wow. Didn’t know you had it in you."

Eira sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I didn’t either. But I’m done playing nice. It’s not the first time I’m dealing with such a person."

"Good," Liam said. "Now, where’s that blanket? I’ll take the guest room."

Eira sat at the kitchen table...

The newspaper spread out in front of her. Her eyes went up as she scanned the headlines.

There it was: another article about her, along with pictures—pictures of her with those men who’d attacked her.

And another headline: rumors about her "relationship" with her old high school teacher. She clenched her fists.

"Seriously?" she muttered in a thick voice. "They just won’t stop, will they?"

Footsteps sounded behind her. Liam walked in, yawning. "Morning, Eira. You’re up early—"

She stood abruptly, pushing the chair back. "I’m leaving. Gonna be late."

"Wait, what?" He frowned. "Did I say something wrong?"

She grabbed her bag, barely glancing at him. "I have to go." Without another word, she walked out the door, letting it slam shut behind her.

When Eira arrived at university, she felt and noticed the stares the moment she stepped inside.

People turned as she passed, whispering behind cupped hands, shooting her quick side glances.

She tightened her grip on her bag and kept walking.

"Is that her?" someone muttered behind her.

"Yeah, that’s Eira Hax. Unbelievable, right?"

She heard a soft laugh from a group of students nearby. "So it’s true? About her teacher?"

"I mean, why else would it be in the papers?"

Eira felt her face grow hot, but she kept her head high.

She finally reached her classroom and slipped into her seat, hoping the whispers would fade.

They didn’t.

Two girls near her leaned in with loud enough voices for her to hear.

"You know, I heard she’s been in trouble before. She’s always in the middle of something," one of them said, smirking.

The other girl shook her head. "I don’t get why she’s even here. Doesn’t she care that everyone’s talking?"

Eira clenched her jaw, refusing to look at them. Just ignore it. Just get through the day.

A guy behind her commented, "Hey, Eira. How’s the ’personal life’? Anything new in the papers?"

She glared at him. "Mind your own business."

"Oh, hit a nerve, did I?" he grinned, leaning back.

Just then, her lecturer walked in, and everyone quieted down.

But Eira could still feel the looks, the murmurs even as the lecture began.

Halfway through, her phone buzzed.

She checked it under the desk. A message from Liam: "Are you okay? You seemed upset this morning. Want to talk? You also out of milk."

She sighed, stuffing the phone back into her bag.

There wasn’t anything she wanted to talk about—not with anyone.

Not when everyone seemed to have already made up their minds about her.

After class, as she gathered her things, a girl nearby chuckled to her friend, loud enough for Eira to hear. "So, you think she really did it? All those rumors?"

The friend shrugged. "With everything in the news, who knows? But where there’s smoke..."

Eira couldn’t take it anymore. She swung her bag over her shoulder and marched over to them.

"You think you know everything, huh?" she snapped. The girls looked startled, exchanging nervous glances.

"W-We didn’t mean—"

"Yeah, right." Eira’s voice was icy. "Maybe next time, think before you talk about someone you don’t even know."

Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the classroom, her heart pounded.

She didn’t care where she was going, she just needed to get away. Away from the whispers, the stares, the endless rumours that wouldn’t let her breathe.

Outside, she let out a long and deep sigh, staring up at the sky as if it could somehow give her strength.

"Eira!"

She turned to see William jogging toward her, "Hey, I tried calling. What’s going on?"

"Nothing," she muttered, crossing her arms. "It’s just... the same old stuff. People talking. Staring. Acting like they know me."

He frowned. "Want me to say something? Because I can—"

"No." She shook her head. "It wouldn’t make a difference. They’ve already made up their minds."

He sighed, looking around. "I hate seeing you like this. You don’t deserve it."

She let out a bitter laugh. "Doesn’t matter what I deserve. No one cares about the truth. They just want a story."

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then let’s leave. Just for a bit. You don’t need to be here, Eira."

She looked away, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "And go where?"

"Anywhere but here," he said softly. "Anywhere you can just breathe."

She closed her eyes, "If I’d leave, they will win."

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