5

Chapter 5

Aurora sat at the breakfast table, stabbing at her toast with unnecessary force.

The air in the mansion felt thick, heavy, like a storm was brewing just beneath the surface.

Probably because it was.

Edward hadn’t been seen since his blow-up yesterday, but his presence lingered like a shadow over the house. It was only a matter of time before he snapped again.

Aurora should have been focused on that.

But her thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.

To Liam.

She hated it.

Hated that every time she closed her eyes, she could still hear his voice from last night. You’re not scared of me, are you?

Aurora scoffed under her breath, taking a bite of her toast. She should have laughed in his face when he said that.

Because scared?

She wasn’t scared.

She was just annoyed.

Annoyed that he watched her so closely. Annoyed that he always had a cocky remark ready. Annoyed that no matter what she said, he never seemed shaken.

Annoyed that she was even thinking about him right now.

With a frustrated sigh, she grabbed her orange juice and drank half of it in one gulp.

That was a mistake.

Because at that exact moment, Liam strolled into the kitchen like he owned the place, shirtless, sweaty, and completely unbothered.

Aurora choked.

The glass slipped slightly in her hand, and she barely managed to keep herself from dropping it.

Liam glanced at her, one brow raised.

“Wow,” he said. “Did I make you nervous just by walking into the room? Impressive.”

Aurora coughed, glaring at him. “You wish.”

Liam smirked, grabbing a water bottle from the counter. He twisted off the cap and took a long, slow drink, his throat flexing with each swallow.

Aurora forced herself to look away.

It wasn’t because he looked good.

It was because he was doing this on purpose.

She could feel it. The way he moved lazily, like he knew she was watching. Like he wanted her to watch.

Jerk.

“You always walk around half-naked?” she muttered, stabbing her toast again.

Liam finished his drink and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I just finished working out. But if you’re that interested in my body, princess, all you have to do is ask.”

Aurora rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt.

“You’re disgusting,” she said.

“And yet,” Liam mused, sliding into the chair across from her, “you can’t stop looking at me.”

Aurora refused to take the bait.

Instead, she sipped her juice, lifting her chin. “I was actually trying to figure out if you own a single shirt. I’m starting to think the answer is no.”

Liam chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “I like to be comfortable.”

Aurora huffed. “You like attention.”

“Maybe,” Liam admitted. “But then again, so do you.”

Aurora frowned. “Excuse me?”

Liam smirked. “You’re always in my business. Watching me. Listening in on my phone calls. Holding onto my mail.”

Aurora’s fingers tensed around her glass.

He was too good at this. Too good at making her feel exposed, like he could see right through her.

She needed to flip the conversation.

“At least I don’t put on a show for the whole house,” she said sweetly. “Tell me, do all the girls you sleep with get to be part of a group package deal, or was last night just a special occasion?”

Liam’s eyes darkened slightly.

For a second, Aurora thought she had actually gotten to him.

Then his smirk returned.

“You jealous?” he asked.

Aurora almost threw her juice at him.

“Not even in your wildest dreams,” she shot back.

Liam shrugged. “Your loss. But for the record, no. Last night was just a bit of fun. I don’t do relationships.”

Aurora snorted. “Of course you don’t. That would require having actual emotions.”

Liam chuckled. “Look at you, trying to figure me out.”

“I’m not trying to figure you out,” she snapped.

“Sure,” Liam drawled. “And I wasn’t just watching you stare at my chest five minutes ago.”

Aurora’s mouth opened, ready to deny it.

But before she could, a loud crash echoed from upstairs.

Both of them froze.

Aurora’s heart lurched.

Another crash. A loud thud.

Then—a scream.

Aurora shot up from her chair.

Liam moved faster.

Before she could react, he was already grabbing her wrist, pulling her toward the stairs.

She barely kept up with his pace, her pulse racing.

“What the hell is going on?” she demanded as they reached the second floor.

Liam didn’t answer.

He didn’t need to.

Because the moment they turned the corner, they saw it.

A maid was pressed against the wall, trembling.

Edward loomed over her, his face twisted with rage.

Aurora’s stomach dropped.

Edward’s voice was low, furious. “How many times do I have to tell you idiots to stay out of my office?”

The maid shook her head violently. “I—I wasn’t in your office, sir! I swear!”

Edward raised his hand.

Aurora gasped.

But before Edward could bring it down, Liam stepped forward.

“That’s enough.”

Edward froze.

Slowly, he turned, his eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?”

Liam’s expression was calm. Too calm.

“You want to take your anger out on someone?” he said. “Try me.”

Aurora’s breath caught.

Edward’s hands trembled.

For a second, she thought he would actually hit Liam.

But then, he exhaled sharply, stepping back. His gaze flickered toward Aurora, then back to Liam.

A slow, dangerous smile curled on his lips.

“You want to play hero?” Edward mused. “Fine. But don’t forget something, son.”

Liam’s jaw ticked.

Edward leaned in slightly. “You have no power in this house. No one is on your side. And sooner or later, I’m going to make sure you regret every move you’ve made against me.”

Liam didn’t blink.

He just smiled slightly, tilting his head. “You’re already scared, aren’t you?”

Edward’s face darkened.

Aurora’s heart pounded.

Then, without another word, Edward turned and walked away.

The maid let out a quiet sob.

Aurora finally breathed again.

Liam ran a hand through his hair, exhaling.

“You okay?” he asked the maid.

She nodded shakily, mumbling a quick thank you before hurrying down the hall.

Aurora turned to Liam, her pulse still racing.

“You could have made it worse,” she whispered.

Liam shrugged. “Maybe. But someone had to do something.”

Aurora inhaled slowly.

For the first time, she wasn’t sure what to think of him.

Liam Blackwood was arrogant, reckless, and infuriating.

But he had stepped in.

And Edward?

Edward was losing control.

Aurora knew one thing for sure.

Theres a big problme with these billionaires!