Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 4

“Remind me why I shouldn’t call the police for this… blatant harassment?” he asked, smirking as he savored his whiskey. Standing by the bar, he watched her drown herself in alcohol. It wasn’t the image she wanted him to see, but what choice did she have?

“Harassment?” Izzy scoffed, before tossing back the whiskey he poured her, downing it in one swift motion.

The burn in her throat didn’t even register as she slammed the capty glass on the table. Her vision blurred slightly, but she didn’t care. The alcohol was the only thing keeping her from falling apart. She’s a mess. She felt like a mess. She looked like

a mess.

“And stalking.” Liam said, his voice dripping with amusement. “That’s a crime, isn’t it?”

For a moment, Izzy was tempted to knock that smirk off his face. “I already told you-

“Yeah, yeah, you caught your boyfriend cheating. You’ve mentioned it three times already,” he interrupted, casually swirling the whiskey in his glass. “But how do I know that’s the truth? Maybe you’re just here to spy on me and my projects. We are

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 at me right 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 I 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.”

her outburst. Instead, he took a step toward her, closing the space between them in one fluid motion. Izzy could feel

murmured, his voice low

of anger mixed

forcing her to look at him. His eyes were sharp, cutting through the space between them with a

over another man?”

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

low and taunting. “How the woman I’m

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13:10 Wed, Jan

Chapter 4

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

Izzy’s breath came out 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

couldn’t believe what had just come out of her mouth. Why was she speaking before her brain could

out, she couldn’t take them back. She was too angry, too

gone to cute.

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

eyes danced with amusement as if she’d just told the most

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

her voice stronger this time, her chin lifting in defiance. “Marry

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

this made her feel bolder, more reckless, and desperate for some kind of release from the storm

“Today was supposed to be my anniversary with Calen. I 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,

with something unreadable as they moved over her. He didn’t say anything, didn’t move, just watched her,

me,” she repeated, her voice daring him, challenging him. “You’re always there, always reminding me

eyes darkened, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The air

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

laugh. He didn’t mock her Instead, he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin,