Liam's POVThe ride home wasn’t as bad as the other days. I guess today, the traffic finally decided to behave. Thank God. The last thing I needed was another delay on the road. I was already in a hurry. My daily routine now included having private discussions with my aunt, and today was no different.As soon as we made sure no one was listening—doors locked, curtains drawn—that was the right time to speak.“Mateo called me today,” I said, pacing around her room, my voice low. “He threatened me.” I said, running a jerky hand through my hair.Aunt Emilia’s eyes widened. She licked her lips and gulped down the glass of water in the room. I could tell she was already afraid. But I continued.“I don’t know how, but I think he’s watching Daisy. He has eyes on her. I just don’t know from where,” I added, struggling to find the right words.My mood had turned completely dark.“Oh my God,” my aunt whispered with a disbelieving voice, before falling to the floor. Her legs gave up. The shock of
Liam's POVI carried my wife, bridal style, to the main house. Nothing was going to stop me today. She was safe in my arms, and that was all that mattered. As soon as I stepped into the house, my eyes landed on Aunt Emilia. She was standing in a hidden corner, shaking her head from side to side, clearly upset."Here you go, you're safe now," I whispered to Daisy as I gently placed her down, hoping my aunt wouldn't start scolding me right away."I'll check on you later, okay? Let me see how my mother is doing first," I told Daisy, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Then I turned and walked quickly toward Aunt Emilia's room.The door to her room was already open, almost like she was expecting me. I hurried in and shut the door behind me."Aunt, I can explain. It's not what it looked like. There were broken glass everywhere, and she could've been injured," I said quickly, trying to defend myself before she completely loses it.She looked at me, her shoulders slumped slightly and wi
Liam’s POV – Expanded Version“Where is my mother?” I yelled into the phone, my voice cracking, my fingers trembling as I clutched the device. My heart pounded so violently in my chest that it was all I could hear. I needed to know she was okay. I needed something—anything—to hold onto. I gulped down my breath to stay quiet.“She’s holding up… for now,” Mateo said with a mocking calmness, like this was a game to him. “But don’t you want to know who the other special guest is?” What does he mean by another special guest.I froze, my stomach fluttering.“What do you mean—what other guest?” My voice was tight, my breath caught in my throat.Mateo chuckled darkly, the sound crawling under my skin. “Let’s just say… I hit two birds with one stone.”My mouth ran dry, my palms suddenly moist.My phone buzzed with a notification. I hurriedly opened it, my hands shaking. It was a picture. Aunt Emilia sat slouched, bruised, bloodied, and beside her was another woman—her face hidden with her hair
Liam’s POV“Liam, what are you doing?” Aunt Emilia’s voice rang out, shaky but loud enough to stop me. She looked weak, her face pale and body trembling as she tried to hold herself upright. She was sitting on the cold floor, her hands tied behind her back with a thick rope, and her legs bent awkwardly. The pain was clear in her eyes.“So he chooses his wife over his mother. How touching,” Mateo sneered with a crooked smile, followed by a bark of laughter. He crossed his arms and leaned back slightly, clearly enjoying the moment. I knew what it looked like. I knew how bad it seemed. But trust me—it was all part of my plan.Mateo lifted a hand and gave a small signal to one of his men. The man walked over to the chair where Daisy was supposedly tied up. He untied her carefully, then helped her stand and walk slowly toward me. I couldn’t see her face clearly because her hair covered most of it, and honestly, my eyes were focused on Aunt Emilia. My main goal was getting her out of here s
Aunt Emilia’s POVIt breaks my heart.Not just a crack—a full-blown shatter. Years… wasted. Decades spent clinging to a child that wasn’t mine, raising him, loving him more than I loved myself. I gave up everything for Liam including my very own family. I made him my world. And now? Now he’s stabbed me in the back and chosen her. The enemy. Daisy.I wish I could lie to myself and say I didn’t see it coming. That I was blindsided. But the truth? The truth is uglier.I did see it coming.Every little sign. Every glance he gave her, every hesitation in his voice when I warned him about her. Every time he looked through me as if I were just a shadow in his life. It all makes sense now. Everything has fallen into place. All the loyalty I gave him, all the sacrifices—it meant nothing.Knock knock.I flinched, snapping out of my thoughts. The door of the hospital room creaked slightly. “Come in,” I called out, my voice flat, my eyes on the door.It swung open, and there she was—Lily Anne, m
Daisy's POV "So you trust your boyfriend? Why don't you pay him a visit at Turner Mansion?"That was all the message said. And like a moth drawn to a flame, I found myself speeding toward Turner Mansion.I had tried calling the strange number repeatedly—each attempt ending in silence.As I stood before the gates, part of me wanted to turn back, dismissing it as a cruel prank. But another part of me wondered—what if?What if stepping into that mansion meant discovering the truth? Was I even ready for it?The only way to put my mind at peace was to face it head-on, regardless of the pain it might bring.As I neared the entrance, I noticed Trey's car parked outside."When did they get so close to the point where they visit each other without telling me?" I thought out loud.I decided to call him, hoping to hear the truth from him before making any assumptions.The call rang twice before he picked up."Hey, babe," he whispered.I frowned. "Hey. Why are you whispering? Are you okay?" My v
Daisy’s POVI woke up to golden sunlight streaming through my window, the chirping of birds a cruel contrast to the storm raging inside me. My eyes were swollen from crying—a reminder of last night’s betrayal. I dragged myself out of bed, forcing my legs to carry me to the shower. All I wanted to do was scrub away the setbacks.First, it was Mom. Then Dad. And now Trey.The hot water did little to wash away the ache in my chest, but it helped me pull myself together.I looked at my reflection in the mirror, still feeling hopeless. What could I do? Go against the great and powerful Anna and her little pet, Trey? I was wounded, and unlike Anna, I had no money to fight back.Still wrapped in a white towel, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I glanced at it briefly—Nanny Divine. Again. I rolled my eyes and flipped the phone over, ignoring the call.But the buzzing didn’t stop.Without thinking, I picked it up. "Nanny Divine, I thought I made myself—"“Hello, Miss Daisy,” her voice came th
Liam's POV I still couldn’t believe how reckless people were in New York. If I hadn’t been there, that old woman could have been seriously hurt—or even worse.“Where to, boss?” my driver asked as I got into the car.“Magic Hour at Moxy Times Square,” I said, loosening my tie. I had some unfinished business to take care of tonight.As we drove through the busy city, I looked out the window. It had been years since I was last in New York. The tall buildings, flashing signs, and crowded streets all felt familiar, yet I sensed that tonight was different. Something told me I might stay here a while.When we arrived, I stepped into the lounge. The sweet smell of fresh flowers mixed with a light scent of vanilla filled the air. The place was just as I remembered—soft velvet sofas, warm golden lights, and large green plants hanging from the ceiling. It felt expensive and cozy at the same time.The moment I entered, my guards spotted me. They quickly walked me to our private table.“What woul
Aunt Emilia’s POVIt breaks my heart.Not just a crack—a full-blown shatter. Years… wasted. Decades spent clinging to a child that wasn’t mine, raising him, loving him more than I loved myself. I gave up everything for Liam including my very own family. I made him my world. And now? Now he’s stabbed me in the back and chosen her. The enemy. Daisy.I wish I could lie to myself and say I didn’t see it coming. That I was blindsided. But the truth? The truth is uglier.I did see it coming.Every little sign. Every glance he gave her, every hesitation in his voice when I warned him about her. Every time he looked through me as if I were just a shadow in his life. It all makes sense now. Everything has fallen into place. All the loyalty I gave him, all the sacrifices—it meant nothing.Knock knock.I flinched, snapping out of my thoughts. The door of the hospital room creaked slightly. “Come in,” I called out, my voice flat, my eyes on the door.It swung open, and there she was—Lily Anne, m
Liam’s POV“Liam, what are you doing?” Aunt Emilia’s voice rang out, shaky but loud enough to stop me. She looked weak, her face pale and body trembling as she tried to hold herself upright. She was sitting on the cold floor, her hands tied behind her back with a thick rope, and her legs bent awkwardly. The pain was clear in her eyes.“So he chooses his wife over his mother. How touching,” Mateo sneered with a crooked smile, followed by a bark of laughter. He crossed his arms and leaned back slightly, clearly enjoying the moment. I knew what it looked like. I knew how bad it seemed. But trust me—it was all part of my plan.Mateo lifted a hand and gave a small signal to one of his men. The man walked over to the chair where Daisy was supposedly tied up. He untied her carefully, then helped her stand and walk slowly toward me. I couldn’t see her face clearly because her hair covered most of it, and honestly, my eyes were focused on Aunt Emilia. My main goal was getting her out of here s
Liam’s POV – Expanded Version“Where is my mother?” I yelled into the phone, my voice cracking, my fingers trembling as I clutched the device. My heart pounded so violently in my chest that it was all I could hear. I needed to know she was okay. I needed something—anything—to hold onto. I gulped down my breath to stay quiet.“She’s holding up… for now,” Mateo said with a mocking calmness, like this was a game to him. “But don’t you want to know who the other special guest is?” What does he mean by another special guest.I froze, my stomach fluttering.“What do you mean—what other guest?” My voice was tight, my breath caught in my throat.Mateo chuckled darkly, the sound crawling under my skin. “Let’s just say… I hit two birds with one stone.”My mouth ran dry, my palms suddenly moist.My phone buzzed with a notification. I hurriedly opened it, my hands shaking. It was a picture. Aunt Emilia sat slouched, bruised, bloodied, and beside her was another woman—her face hidden with her hair
Liam's POVI carried my wife, bridal style, to the main house. Nothing was going to stop me today. She was safe in my arms, and that was all that mattered. As soon as I stepped into the house, my eyes landed on Aunt Emilia. She was standing in a hidden corner, shaking her head from side to side, clearly upset."Here you go, you're safe now," I whispered to Daisy as I gently placed her down, hoping my aunt wouldn't start scolding me right away."I'll check on you later, okay? Let me see how my mother is doing first," I told Daisy, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Then I turned and walked quickly toward Aunt Emilia's room.The door to her room was already open, almost like she was expecting me. I hurried in and shut the door behind me."Aunt, I can explain. It's not what it looked like. There were broken glass everywhere, and she could've been injured," I said quickly, trying to defend myself before she completely loses it.She looked at me, her shoulders slumped slightly and wi
Liam's POVThe ride home wasn’t as bad as the other days. I guess today, the traffic finally decided to behave. Thank God. The last thing I needed was another delay on the road. I was already in a hurry. My daily routine now included having private discussions with my aunt, and today was no different.As soon as we made sure no one was listening—doors locked, curtains drawn—that was the right time to speak.“Mateo called me today,” I said, pacing around her room, my voice low. “He threatened me.” I said, running a jerky hand through my hair.Aunt Emilia’s eyes widened. She licked her lips and gulped down the glass of water in the room. I could tell she was already afraid. But I continued.“I don’t know how, but I think he’s watching Daisy. He has eyes on her. I just don’t know from where,” I added, struggling to find the right words.My mood had turned completely dark.“Oh my God,” my aunt whispered with a disbelieving voice, before falling to the floor. Her legs gave up. The shock of
Liam's POVTrust me, I already have more problems than I can handle.“What the hell am I going to do now?” I groaned, dragging my hand through my hair, feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.Link Empire isn’t just any company. It’s my aunt’s legacy—our family’s pride. I can’t let it crash down now, not after all the years of hard work, the sacrifices, the blood, sweat, and tears we’ve poured into building it.I got up from my chair and walked to the wide, clear window of my office. I stood there, staring out at the city. The view usually calms me, but today, even the tall buildings and moving cars couldn’t give me peace. My chest felt tight, my thoughts messy.Then, my phone buzzed inside the pocket of my custom-made black pants. I pulled it out lazily, expecting some useless update from the finance team. But when I saw the caller ID, my heart dropped.You won’t believe who just called.“Liam, Liam. It’s been a while. Haven’t heard from you,” the voice said, light and playful, but I coul
Aunt Emilia’s POVIf I say nothing is working according to plan, then I’d be lying.Everything is falling into place just the way I want it. The foundation for chaos has already been laid, and now, I’m just waiting for hell to break loose. It’s only a matter of time before everything crumbles, and when it does, I’ll be the one laughing last.Today, I couldn't stay in this house. Every corner reminds me of that stupid little girl—Daisy. Her laughter, her footsteps, even her smell lingers in the air. It’s annoying. I need a break before I lose my mind.Thankfully, today’s the perfect excuse to leave. I’m meeting the girls. Speaking of the devil, my phone just rang. A video call. I smirked and accepted it.“Welcome to New York!” one of them shouted.“I hope you got the address, darling. I’m dying to see you!” another added.I smiled, pretending to be happy. If I were stupid, I’d think they really missed me. But I know these women too well. They’re just excited to see how much money I bro
Liam's POVThere isn't anything I hate more than having the ones I love in danger. The weight of responsibility sat heavily on my shoulders as I stepped into the house. The moment I arrived home, I didn't waste a second. I hurried toward Aunt Emilia's room, my heart pounding with urgency. We needed to have a serious discussion before Daisy appeared.I knocked at the door, inhaling deeply as I waited."Who is it?" Aunt Emilia's voice came from the other side, cautious yet familiar."Liam," I answered firmly.The door swung open almost instantly. "Come in," she said, stepping aside. Her eyes studied me, and I could tell she already sensed that something was wrong.I stepped inside, making sure to close the door tightly before speaking. The room smelled faintly of lavender, the curtains drawn to shield against the late afternoon sun. Aunt Emilia sat on the edge of her bed, her expression neutral but her fingers fidgeting slightly."How are you, Aunt?" I asked, scanning her face, taking i
Liam's POVMy aunt is right. I've become too complacent. I don't understand what the hell is going on with me. Why do I think of nothing but Daisy? I need to get my act together. Immediately after I was done with the discussion I had with my aunt, I moved toward the stairs. As I reached them, I noticed the lights of the living room were on. I frowned, glancing at my watch. Who could be there at this time of night?Slowly, I made my way to the living room. My eyes fell on Daisy, who had just finished a glass of wine. She sat there, lost in thought, swirling the empty glass in her hand.I wanted to talk to her, keep her company, but I knew that would only make things complicated. I turned to head upstairs."Liam, come, let's have a drink," Daisy called from behind. Her voice was calm, almost inviting.I hesitated."Come on," she insisted, opening and closing her fingers in a beckoning motion.I immediately frowned, turning to face her. "Go to bed," I said coldly.I caught a glimpse of D