Chapter 8

Liam's POV

I paced back and forth in my office, frustration etched deeply on my face. How could Ava's family treat her so badly after everything she had been through? I couldn't let this continue.

Jason, my personal assistant, watched me with a raised brow.

“Boss, if I may ask, why did you marry Miss Ava?” he inquired.

I turned to him sharply. “What do you mean? We were blackmailed.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Never mind that. Liam, I'm your friend; I’m not going to call you boss during this conversation.”

I rolled my eyes. “What is it, Jason?”

“Liam, you’ve never faced a blackmail situation in your life. You could have destroyed those pictures the moment they surfaced. But you chose to marry Ava. What’s your plan?”

I sighed, exasperated. “You know my plan. I’m not letting Ava go. Not now. And that family needs to suffer. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Just be careful,” he warned. “We don’t want Ava getting hurt in the process, do we?”

Just then, my father walked in. “Hey, my boys, what are you two talking about?”

“I was just telling your dumb son here that he needs to be careful with this plan,” Jason replied. “He’s married to Ava. He has to take care of her.”

I shot a glare at Jason but my father nodded. “Yeah, Jason is right. Make sure Ava doesn’t get hurt again. That girl is my daughter-in-law. Your mother and I would kill you if something happened to her.”

I sighed, conceding because I knew it won't die down if I didn't. “Fine, I get it. You want me to take care of Ava. Good. Jason, how is the plan for the house?”

“It’s done. You can move in,” he said.

“Really?” I asked, surprised.

“You’re a billionaire, Liam. You really think it would take more than ten hours to purchase a house, have the paperwork done, and get it renovated?” He smirked. “It’s all set.”

I grinned. “Good. Now I can move in with my bride.”

My father frowned. “But Liam, that house is too small and ugly. You have beautiful mansions everywhere. Just take one and tell her it’s a property someone left for you—a grandfather or something.”

I rolled my eyes. “You worry too much. Ava will be okay with it. Have you seen her room at their house? I nearly took her to the family mansion the moment I saw it. But she’s comfortable and happy as long as her dad doesn’t find out.”

“Really? That jerk? How is she even caring for him?” my father asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

“He’s still her dad, and she doesn’t know everything. The Ava I know will forgive him eventually.”

*

We arrived at the house, and everything was set up just as Jason had promised. Good. Ava would feel comfortable here. I turned to Jason. “What about the library? My job site?”

“Yes, Mr. Librarian, your job site is ready,” he replied, barely suppressing a grin. “We moved you from the one Charlotte Patel gave you and relocated you to a spot downtown. It's not in the prettiest part of town, but it’s close to your main office, so you can alternate easily. And you have an office there, too, where you’ll handle company business.”

“Good boy,” I said, smirking while tapping his shoulder.

He shot me a glare. “I’m going home. What about the other thing?” .

“How are you getting home? In your beat down excuse of a vehicle?" Jason asked.

I shot him a look. “Of course, how do you want me to go? In a fancy car that screams 'I'm a Billionaire'?”

“Okay, okay,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Let’s go. I’m heading home too. You know, this year, your disguise and fake identity are helping. I have a lot of off days, but on the days I do work, it feels like I never stop.”

“Stop being annoying Jason.”

As I arrived at the Patel mansion, I spotted Ava in her room, pacing back and forth, worry etched on her face. She didn’t notice me at first, so I stood behind her. Just then, she turned and collided with my chest. Her eyes widened.

“Oh, you’re home?” she exclaimed, stepping back.

“Yes,” I replied. “You look worried. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine,” she said, though I could see the unease in her eyes. She was lying.

“Okay, guess what?” I said, a smile creeping onto my face.

“Okay, what?” she replied, her curiosity piqued.

“We’re moving into our new house tomorrow,” I announced.

She squealed with excitement and jumped into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her body flush against mine. I froze, relishing the feeling of heaven as her vanilla scent invaded my nostrils. I knew she didn't know what she had done. But she suddenly realized herself and pushed me off.

Damn I wish she could stay longer. But no worries, soon. She'll love me just like I love her.

“Liam, my dad has something to tell us,” she said, her voice a little more serious.

“Oh, okay. Let’s go,” I said, trying to keep my expression neutral as possible. I wonder what he had to say.

“Please, I want you to promise me something,” she added, her eyes pleading.

“What is it?” I asked, already anticipating the answer.

“Please don’t let my dad know about anything that’s happening to me. Not even my bedroom in this house. I don’t want my family to break apart.”

I felt my heart twist at her request. “I promise, Ava,” I said, my voice firm and reassuring. I didn’t need to do anything to keep this promise; I had made another one to her in my heart. I would break her family down one person at a time—and everyone who had ever hurt her.

We walked into the living room together, passing by Natalia and her husband Jim on the way. I couldn’t tell if I was hallucinating or not, but I thought Natalia winked at me and bit her bottom lip. God, I hope that was just my imagination—because I absolutely detest that girl.

But then an idea struck me and I wondered; could it be that she had feelings for me? Because then, I could use them to my advantage. Oh Natalia Patel, I'm coming for you.