Chapter 359

Liam Blackwood downed another shot as Victoria Hudson's words cut through him like shards of glass. The pain was so overwhelming that he couldn't bring himself to speak.

"Liam, listen to Victoria. You need to let her go," Benjamin Hudson sighed heavily.

Victoria stood abruptly, snatching the whiskey bottle from Liam's grasp. "Enough. You're drowning yourself."

A bitter smile twisted Liam's lips as he leaned back in his chair, bloodshot eyes closing. He bowed his head, shielding his raw grief from their concerned gazes.

Benjamin took a careful sip of his drink. "You planned this whole dinner just for her. Thought having company would make her comfortable. Yet she barely touched her food before leaving."

Victoria settled beside Liam, her fingers gently wrapping around his trembling hand. "You deserve someone who sees your worth."

"Victoria's right," Benjamin agreed quietly.

"I was never good enough for her," Liam murmured after a long silence, voice breaking.

Benjamin froze mid-sip.

Hot tears streamed down Victoria's face as she snapped, "That's ridiculous! Cassandra Wright never appreciated you. Not really."

"Victoria—" Liam's voice wavered in warning.

"She never loved you!" Victoria continued mercilessly. "She only married you after losing her memory because she needed security. Once she remembered her old life—her real love—you became invisible to her!"

"Stop." Liam's command came out strangled.

Victoria scoffed. "Am I wrong?"

Liam staggered to his feet. When Victoria reached for him, he stiffly pushed her away. "I need to lie down. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Let me help you upstairs—"

"No." The icy rejection made her flinch.

He swayed dangerously as he moved toward the staircase. Victoria rushed forward again, only to be shoved back harder this time.

After several failed attempts, Victoria finally stayed put, watching his retreating form with silent tears. She returned to the table in a fury, downing her drink in one gulp.

"You don't understand men," Benjamin observed carefully.

"Men are fools!" Victoria hissed. "Always chasing what they can't have!"

Benjamin gave a humorless chuckle. "Or maybe the woman they can't have happens to be the one they love most?"

"Same difference. Still stupid!" Her grip tightened around the glass.

Benjamin's expression darkened. "By that logic, what does that make you? Clinging to Liam when you know Cassandra owns his heart? Aren't you—"

He bit back the word "stupid," seeing Victoria's furious glare.

"How can you say that to your own sister?" Her eyes burned with unshed tears.

"Victoria, listen. Liam doesn't love you. Forcing this will only bring misery," Benjamin said gently.

"We haven't even tried!"

"Real love isn't about possession. Liam understands that. He's a decorated Aldenrian general—if he wanted, he could force Cassandra to stay. But he loves her too much to see her unhappy."

Victoria stood abruptly, voice glacial. "I'm no saint. I fight for what I want."

With that, she stormed out, leaving her half-finished drink and bewildered brother behind.