Love On Ice: Don’t Leave Me, My Charming Liar

Chapter 82: His hands trembled as he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a number he hadn't used in years. "I need you to find out which prison Hayes is in," he said urgently. "And dig into how my dad handled that situation back then. I want every detail!" The chance encounter orchestrated by Nyla had led to Johnny messaging her almost daily. He had even invited her to a meal. Over the course of their interactions, Nyla had pieced together enough to know that while Johnny might not fully understand what had happened years ago, he was far from uninvolved.

"I've already taken care of things with Hayes. Don't worry; he's fine," Johnny said softly as he placed a piece of fish on her plate. "Thank you, Johnny," Nyla replied with a small smile. Johnny waved it off with his usual gentleness. "There's no need to thank me. Hayes is my friend; his problems are my problems." But Nyla noticed it again-that fleeting flash of guilt in his eyes. She could have played along, using his guilt to worm her way deeper into the Higgins family, but now, she decided on a different approach. "Is that so?" she asked, her tone suddenly sharp.

"Then why did you run away afterward, leaving Hayes to face the consequences alone?" The private dining room seemed to shrink. The spoon in Johnny's hand clattered into his bowl, the sound ringing out like an accusation. His pupils contracted, and shock painted his face. His lips parted, but no words came. "Surprised I know?" Nyla pressed, her voice steady and cutting. She leaned forward slightly, her red lips curving into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You thought you covered it up so well. The Higgins family really is skilled at hiding their messes.

But you didn't count on one thing-I never believed my father was capable of what he was accused of." Johnny's face turned ashen. His head dropped, the gentleness he wore like armor falling away to reveal the guilt beneath. Stay connected gαℓησvs․com "What happened back then was... my fault toward Hayes. But it was an accident," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "No one expected the batch of dye to have issues." Nyla's fists clenched tightly, her knuckles whitening. "So you pushed Hayes to take the blame?" she snapped. Johnny's head shot up, panic flashing in his eyes. "No!

It wasn't like that. I ran because I was scared-I won't deny that-but I never meant for Hayes to be blamed. I hid at home for three days, terrified. My dad told me everything was handled, that I could relax. I didn't know..." He trailed off, swallowing hard. "I didn't know your father and Hayes took responsibility for it. Later, I tried to contact Hayes, but I couldn't reach him. My dad told me to lay low, and I believed him, so I stayed quiet." Nyla trembled with anger, her entire body rigid. She gripped the edge of the table so tightly her fingertips turned pale.

"So your family made the mistake and deliberately let mine take the fall. Is that it?" Johnny flinched, shaking his head in desperation. "It wasn't deliberate! Lorenzo-your father-was the one who saw the business opportunity and brought us into the deal. But something went wrong after the goods left the port. My dad said Lorenzo took the blame voluntarily, out of guilt." "Liar!" Nyla spat, her voice breaking with rage. "It's the truth!" Johnny insisted. His hands trembled as he tried to explain. "We didn't tamper with anything.

But after the dye shipment arrived, the buyers claimed it was defective. They threatened retaliation. It all spiraled out of control. We had no choice but to go into hiding." Johnny knew it was too late to make amends now. He had messed up. After the recent investigation, the results shook him. He never expected that by resolved, his father meant Hayes had taken the blame alone. The guilt he felt was overwhelming. He resolved to do his best to take care of Nyla, even if she only used him. "I'm sorry. I know I can't undo what happened. But I'll do everything I can to make it right.

Whatever you need, whatever it takes-just say the word." A tear slipped down Nyla's cheek. She shook her head, her voice brittle with emotion. "Make it right? Can you bring my father back to life? Can you return Claudine's child to her? Can you return my family to me?" . . .