Begin Again novel Chapter 169

Cheerful and chatty by nature, both James and Steven were unusually quiet on the drive back to his place, and Liam wasn't exactly in the mood to figure out the reason behind their long faces.

He had a pretty good idea, though.

Both men were less than thrilled with the way he'd handled his confrontation with Eden earlier.

They'd be glad to know it made three of them. But he'd carry all the regrets.

Liam didn't want to admit it, but Linda was right about everything. He should have given himself time to process and accept his new reality instead of rushing to Eden's place like a mad man.

And he certainly should have given her time to acknowledge her mistakes.

But now that he'd already backed them both into a corner and he saw no other way out. The only way to go now was forward.

He laughed—but it sounded like a snort more than anything— when he remembered a bumper sticker he once saw on an old pickup truck, proclaiming hindsight is always 20/20. It was a hell of a cliche and one he'd never believed in till now because up until a few hours ago, he always prided himself on having foresight, on being able to predict how a particular situation will unfold. This time though, his prudence had failed him spectacularly when it came to the shit with Eden.

If he'd just calmed the fuck down.

If he'd just walked away—

"Sir, we are here," James snapped him out of his thousand regrets, and Liam looked up at the house.

With all the lights ablaze, the place looked welcoming enough. But he realised anew he didn't want to be there.

It wasn't home.

Home was on the other side of town, probably still crying her guts out in her living room.

He gently rubbed his chest to ease the knot in his heart at the thought of an inconsolable Eden.

He should call her.

He should reassure her and promise her they'd get through this; it may take time, but they'd work through all their issues.

But God, he was still so livid with her. Where did he even start with forgiving her—

"Sir, would you like to go someplace else? Green Point perhaps or return to Forrest Creek?" Steven asked as he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel in time to the jazzy beat drifting from the stereo and the gentle rain thrashing the car's roof.

The engine was still running, and Liam just had to say the word, and his driver would gladly end all their misery and take him to where his heart desperately wanted to go.

"Thanks, Steven, that's okay," he murmured as he pushed his door open and jumped out. He and Eden had butted heads enough for one night. Their hearts couldn't possibly take any more bashing tonight.

"See you in the morning," Liam waved goodbye at the two men and trudged up the front steps.

He was emotionally exhausted and should wait until he's clearheaded before making a snap decision that had huge financial implications. But he made one anyway. He called his legal and financial advisors as soon as he'd settled in for the night.

The team of three lawyers, four bankers and a portfolio manager were at his place in no time.

They had a work-in supper as they went over all his financial affairs and amended his portfolios and life policies.

Things got a little heated when Liam showed them the custody agreement Eden had drawn up.

"It's a standard agreement," George Whitman, his lead attorney, said as he perused the document. "You both get joint physical custody of your son."

"I know that," Liam frowned at him. "I can read."

George scratched his head, a troubled look in his eyes. "Then what's the issue?"

"Tell me, Beth, do you still like having your million Rand retainer?" He smiled coldly. "And your country club membership, do you still use it?"

"Uhm—yes—Mr Anderson." She nodded her head quickly.

"Good," Liam sighed and brushed his hair away from his forehead impatiently as he began to pace the room. "I'm glad we're on the same page, and I believe in you, Beth. I know you'll come up with the best agreement."

George and his subordinates exchanged looks, shaking their heads as they nudged each other, neither willing to risk getting another tongue lashing.

"People," Liam paused and glared at them. "Tell me why I fucking pay you a fortune if you can't get this shit done?"

"Mr Anderson," George cleared his throat; evidently, he'd lost the silent bet he'd had with his employees, and he was now the sacrificial lamb walking straight into the lion's den. "Why don't you speak to Ms McBride and ask her to move in with you?"

Liam threw him a death stare, and for a tense minute or two, nobody dared to breathe.

"I've fucking tried that, George!"

And not just once, but numerous times, and that was before he knew about Aiden. There was no way Eden would move in willingly now, not with the storm of animosity and anger raging between them.

"Sometimes talking and baring your feelings can get you far better results," George carried on, unaware of the thin ice he was precariously skating on.

Liam pinched the bridge of his nose and said in a dangerously soft voice. "I have a therapist, George, and she's damn good. If I need to hear some sage advice about talking shit out, she's my first point of contact, no questions asked."

"Yes, Sir," he nodded his head quickly and shuffled the documents on his lap, his bushy moustache twitching downward. "But I must warn you. This won't end well. Mediation is usually the right way to go."

The meeting came to a screeching halt when Liam's parents arrived unannounced and sent his advisors scampering.

"Son, we need to talk!" Clarke said as he forced his way into the house, Lois, Willow and Holly right behind him.