Chapter 4

The past three months had settled into a quiet routine. Samantha had grown used to the rhythm of caring for Beatrice, and in return, the little girl had grown attached to her. She and Liam were slightly close, all thanks to Beatrice, though she remained aware of her position. Becca had started school, leaving Samantha with more time to focus on Beatrice.

That afternoon, the garden was bathed in golden sunlight as Samantha cradled Beatrice in her arms, just having a moment. The baby sucked on her pacifier, her chubby fingers occasionally reaching for her hair when the sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught her attention.

“Dada is here,” Samantha whispered to her, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Beatrice blinked up at her, gurgling before attempting to mimic her words. “Dada.”

A soft chuckle escaped Samantha. “Exactly, let’s go see Dada.”

She adjusted Beatrice in her arms and walked toward the garage, expecting to see Liam’s sleek sports car rolling in. But instead of the familiar black vehicle, a flashy red one was parked there.

She stopped in her tracks, her brows furrowing. The driver’s door opened, and a woman stepped out. She was quite tall, poised, and dressed like she had just walked off the cover of a high-fashion magazine.

Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and as she removed her sunglasses, sharp brown eyes locked onto Samantha before shifting to Beatrice.

Samantha watched in confusion when a grin spread across the woman’s face, and before she could ask about her, the woman had hurriedly strode forward with a huge smile.

“Hey, baby!” She squealed, reaching for Beatrice. Samantha instinctively held on tighter, but Beatrice, caught off guard by the woman’s excitement, stared up at her in confusion. A second later, she let out a giggle, mirroring the stranger’s bright expression.

“She’s so beautiful,” the woman cooed, completely ignoring Samantha as she lightly pinched Beatrice’s cheeks.

“Ma’am, may I ask who you are?” she asked respectfully. She couldn't hold it any longer. She was the only one in the house, and Mr. Carter didn't tell her he was having a visitor.

Before the woman could respond, the sound of a car horn blared outside the gate disrupted the moment. They both turned their heads to the gate as they watch the guard rushed to open it, and seconds later, Liam’s car pulled into the driveway.

Samantha sighed in relief, stepping slightly away from the woman. She barely had time to register the sudden change in the woman’s demeanor. Who hastily pulled back, dropping her sunglasses back over her eyes and stepping away as if she hadn’t just been doting on Beatrice.

Liam stepped out of his car, his face dark with an unmistakable scowl. His piercing gaze locked onto the woman, completely ignoring Samantha’s polite, “Good afternoon, sir.”

“What the fvck are you doing here?” Liam's tone was icy that Samantha flinched at the harshness in his tone.

“Language, sir,” she blurted out before she could stop herself. Liam’s sharp eyes flickered to her, and she quickly swallowed, lowering her gaze.

“Beatrice shouldn’t be hearing curse words.”

The woman beside her scoffed. “And that gives you the right to interrupt? Get the hell out of here!” Samantha was taken aback by the venom in her tone.

“Hannah!” Liam’s voice boomed, making the woman flinch slightly.

Beatrice whimpered in Samantha’s arms, startled by the sudden raise in volume. Her little face scrunched, and soft cries began to escape her lips.

She didn’t need to be told to leave. She rocked Beatrice gently, whispering soothing words as she turned and walked back toward the house. Even as she stepped inside, she could still hear the heated exchange outside.

She stood near the window, peeking through the curtains. She had never seen Liam so furious before. It was a different side of him, one that was controlled yet laced with an underlying rage.

“Dada is angry,” she whispered to Beatrice, who had finally calmed down.

The baby simply babbled, reaching up to grab a strand of her hair. She sighed and turned away from the window.

Outside—

Liam inhaled sharply, trying to control his rising frustration.

“What are you doing here, Hannah?” He demanded firmly. His suspicions risen when he got her text saying she was coming to his house, the reason he got off work this early.

His sister crossed her arms. “What else? I came to see my brother.” She answered indifferently.

Liam clenched his jaw. He wasn’t stupid. Hannah’s sudden visit like this wasn’t out of sibling affection. It was because of Gianna.

She had a habit of doing this. Whenever she was away for too long, her insecurities would creep in, making her send Hannah to keep tabs on him, to see if he was cheating or anything of that sort. And as always, her lack of trust was loud and clear.

His voice was cold as he spoke. “If you still consider me your brother, you’ll end that damn friendship with her.” His tone sharpened.

“Since she left, she hasn’t called, hasn’t texted. But now, suddenly, she sends you here to spy on me?” He let out a humorless chuckle. “Unbelievable.”

He turned away for a brief moment, then faced her again, his next words final. “Tell her to expect the divorce papers soon. I don’t mind sending them straight to her.” His eyes darkened. “And tell her she has no child here.”

Hannah’s face twisted in shock. “What?! Couples fight, Liam. You can’t just—”

Before she could finish, Liam yanked off his shoe as if to throw it at her. Hannah flinched, throwing her arms up defensively, but he didn’t follow through. Instead, he scoffed, slipping the shoe back on before striding into the house, leaving her stunned in the driveway.

Samantha had her back to him when he entered the living room, holding Beatrice up in the air, speaking softly to her.

The baby let out a happy giggle, making Samantha smile. The sight warmed something in Liam, though a small part of him wondered, what if it had been Gianna instead? Would it have felt the same?

Sensing someone behind her, Samantha turned and found Liam standing by the doorway. Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly looked away, adjusting Beatrice in her arms.

Liam noticed how she seemed to shrink under his gaze, her fingers fidgeting as if she wasn’t sure what to do with them. It was… cute. For the first time that afternoon, his frustration eased.

“Dada is here,” Samantha whispered to Beatrice, pointing at him.

He halted mid-step.

He had heard her say that before.

A strange warmth settled in his chest.

Three months of watching her interact with Beatrice had made him realize something, there was nothing about her that irritated him. He wasn’t supposed to feel this comfortable with her presence.

Samantha assumed he was about to take Beatrice from her, but instead, he stopped right in front of her and gently lifted her chin with his finger.

She stood frozen. He was too close, his scent filling the small space between them. Beatrice, oblivious, patted his suit and muttered in her baby talk.

“Sir?” She blinked at him confused, while he kept studying her expression, his hazel eyes intent.

His thumb brushed lightly against her jawline, and Samantha felt her pulse quicken.

“Your man must be so lucky to have you,” He said gently, regretting his own choice of wife.

Samantha’s breath caught slightly.

The words weren’t flirtatious. They weren’t even said with any particular weight. But still, they lingered in the air between them.

She wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so she let out a nervous laugh. “Well, I’m not with anyone, so I guess no one’s feeling lucky.”

Liam frowned slightly. “You don't have a partner?”

She only gave him the shortest nod.

“Say it,”

Samantha gulped, “No, sir,” she swallowed the lump in her throat. She wanted to look away, but he turned her face back to him, smirking.

“Perfect.”

“Huh?” She blinked again, her mind still trying to process what just happened. Her neck was beginning to hurt, kept wondering why he was acting this way.

“I’m getting a divorce,”

“Huh?” she repeated, even more confused. Now her heart was pounding heavily. Why was he telling her?

Before she could gather a response, Liam leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. It was brief, but it left her frozen in place.

“I’m chasing after you now.” He says after pulling away.

Then, without another word, he took Beatrice from her arms and walked away, leaving her standing there, completely and utterly stunned, trying to grasp what just happened.