Hell Hath no fury like a billionaire's Ex-Chapter 22: Unrepentant

Liam’s POV

The incessant buzzing of my phone pulled me from a restless sleep. Squinting at the screen, I saw Noah’s name flashing. With a groan, I answered.

"Liam, what the hell is going on?" Noah’s voice crackled through the speaker, a mixture of concern and anger. "Have you seen the papers?"

I sat up, running a hand through my disheveled hair. "Good morning to you too, Noah," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Cut the crap, Liam. I’m catching the next flight out. This has gone too far."

Before I could protest, the line went dead.

I fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Noah was one of the few people whose opinion actually mattered to me. He wasn’t just my best friend—he was a board member in my company. His disapproval hurt, but it wasn’t enough to make me change mind.

Hours Later

The doorbell rang.

When I opened the door, Noah stood there, looking like he had aged ten years overnight.

"You look like shit," I said, stepping aside to let him in.

Noah didn’t even smile. "What are you doing, Liam?" he asked, following me to the living room. "This isn’t you."

I lounged on the couch, pretending not to care. "This is exactly me, Noah. You, of all people, should know that."

He shook his head, his eyes filled with disappointment. "I thought you’d changed. When you married Diane, I really thought..."

"That I’d become some domesticated lap dog?" I interrupted, my voice sharp. "Sorry to disappoint you, but that was never going to happen."

Noah’s expression darkened. "So instead, you’re dragging her name through the mud? Accusing her of cheating when we both know damn well you’re the one who couldn’t keep it in your pants?"

His voice rose with each word, I could feel his anger rising .

He took a deep breath and then asked the question I had been dreading.

"Liam, tell me—was Diane not good to you?

You should have settled your differences, communicated your concerns, rather than cheating on her. And of all people... Sophie? Her own sister?"

I stood up abruptly, anger flaring.

"You don’t understand, Noah. Diane... she’s too good. It was becoming boring. But with Sophie, it’s different. The passion is electrifying. I feel alive with her in a way I never did with Diane."

Noah’s expression changed to pure disgust.

"Are you serious right now, Liam?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You’re justifying your affair because your wife was too good? Have you even considered how this would break her?"

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building. "It’s not just that. Diane and I grew apart. We want different things now. It’s not fair to either of us to stay in a loveless marriage."

"And it’s fair to humiliate her in the press? To accuse her of infidelity?" Noah countered, his voice rising again.

I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my composure.

"She’s trying to take everything from me, Noah. Everything I’ve worked for. Did you expect me to just roll over and let her?"

Noah let out a bitter laugh. "Liam, listen to yourself. You’re the one who cheated on your wife with her sister, and now you’re angry because she’s not letting you walk all over her?"

I exhaled sharply, trying to rein in my temper. "She knew what she was getting into when she married me," I said coldly.

Noah stared at me for a long moment, his expression a mixture of sadness and disgust.

"I don’t even recognize you anymore, Liam." His voice was quiet but firm. "I always knew you had a weakness for pretty women, but for God’s sake—not your wife’s sister."

His words hit harder than I wanted to admit.

Noah had been by my side through everything—the early days of our startup, the sleepless nights spent building our company from the ground up, the victories, the failures. He knew me better than anyone.

And his disappointment cut deep.

But I couldn’t back down now. I had made my choice, and I was going to see it through.

I met his gaze, my voice steady. "I’m sorry you feel that way, but this is how it’s going to be. I’m not changing my mind."

Noah sighed, rubbing his temple like he had a headache. "I can’t support this, Liam. Not personally, and not professionally. I’m going to have to reconsider my position on the board."

His words sent a jolt of panic through me.

Noah wasn’t just a close friend—he was a key player in my company. Losing him would have serious repercussions.

"Noah, come on," I said, my tone softening. "Don’t be hasty. This is just a personal matter. It doesn’t have to affect the business."

"Everything affects the business, Liam," he replied. "Your actions, your reputation—it all reflects on the company. And right now, you’re dragging us all down with you."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Noah held up a hand to stop me.

"I’m not making any decisions right now. I just... I need some time to think. And I hope you’ll use this time to do the same."

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving me alone in the suddenly too-quiet house.

I spent the rest of the day in a fog, Noah’s words echoing in my head.

But instead of making me reconsider my actions, they only fueled my anger.

Who was he to judge me? Who was anyone to tell me how to handle my own divorce?

As the evening stretched on, I reached for my phone.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I was dialing Diane’s number.

She answered on the third ring, her voice wary. "Liam? What do you want?"

I smirked, my voice laced with cruelty. "Hello, darling. Just wanted to check in. How are you enjoying your newfound fame?"

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end.

"You’re despicable," Diane spat. "How can you do this? How can you spread these lies?"

I laughed, the sound hollow and bitter. "Lies? I’m just giving the public what they want—a good scandal. You should be thanking me. Isn’t this what you wanted? To be in the spotlight?"

Her voice trembled with anger. "I never wanted any of this. I just wanted a faithful husband and a happy family. But you couldn’t even give me that, could you?"

For the first time, her words struck a nerve.

But I shoved the feeling aside. "Well, you can’t always get what you want, can you? But look on the bright side—you’re trending! ’Diane Ashton: Gold Digger Extraordinaire.’ Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?"

There was silence on the other end.

Then, Diane’s voice came through, steady and calm. "You think you’re hurting me, Liam? You’re only showing the world who you really are. A selfish, foolish immature boy who throws tantrums when he doesn’t get his way."

The line went dead.

I stood there, phone still pressed to my ear, staring into the emptiness around me.