“Do we have to tell anyone that I live here?” I asked. “At least for now.” “I guess not…” He seemed hesitant. “HR will have questions about it.” “I don’t work there anymore,” I reminded him. “Right.” After a paused, he asked, “Am I allowed to tell people that Joe is my son?” “You can say tha
Liam’s POV The only way I could be happier today was if Aria agreed to be my wife again. As it was, I was still just about as thrilled as I could be. Aria, William, and Joe were all living under my roof like a near-perfect family. It was the kind of thing I’d always dreamed about, especially after
In the future, when she had a few days to think about things, I would ask her again. For now, I’d let it go. After unloading the car, Aria and I headed into the kitchen to start getting lunch ready for us and the kids. I’d already bought some lunchmeat and some rolls, so it didn’t take long to set
Aria’s POV Alone in the mansion the next day, while Liam was at work and the kids at school, I felt much like a ghost wandering the halls. Every square inch of this place was filled with old memories, both the good kind and the bad. I had known being here would be difficult, but now that I was h
Even after William and I sat down, Sophia kept all of her attention focused on me, glaring. She had not yet acknowledged her own son sitting beside her. “Mom?” William said. Sophia didn’t answer, focus on me. “Mom? I came to see you.” Still she ignored him. “William is here,” I said. “No
Aria’s POV “How about some ice cream?” I asked William on the way back to the mansion. “No,” he said. With his head turned toward the window, I couldn’t see his face, but his voice sounded small enough to reveal the depths of his hurt. He might have been crying. I pretended I didn’t notice. “W
Liam’s POV With renewed determination, I drove home, eager to talk to Aria and try to convince her to return to work with the team. But when I walked into the mansion, I was surprised to be greeted by Joe, but not William. My stomach twisted, remembering that Aria was going to take William to se
“I didn’t like that,” William said. “She shouldn’t have said those things.” “You’re right,” I said. “I wouldn’t have liked that either.” In the past, Sophia had cursed me out using every foul word under the sun. I didn’t particularly care – until she started adding Aria in her vile outbursts. That
Aria’s POV “He wasn’t a good father,” Liam continued. “In fact, he’s someone that I’ve come to hate. But I never really thought about the bastard actually dying. Now he wants to inherit the family business and continue his legacy. In the past, I was never good enough, but now suddenly, Markus is d
Liam’s POV I didn’t care how much work was left that day, when five o’clock rolled around, I packed up my briefcase and headed for the door. My assistant, at her desk, gave me a curious look, but didn’t utter a word. “Don’t stay too late,” I told her. Work was very important, but so was life
Aria’s POV When I walked to Joanna’s office, her assistant sat behind the reception desk, glaring at me. I could only imagine the lies Joanna had told this assistant about me, to get her to hate me this much without even knowing me. Regardless, I held my head up high. If I had to walk through th
Liam’s POV “I’ve been expecting your call,” my father – Markus – said on the other end of the phone. “You are a stubborn one to have kept me waiting for so long.” “I foolishly thought that you decided to mind your own business,” I replied. “You haven’t tried anything like this in a while.” In
Liam’s POV In a flash, I grabbed Joanna’s wrist and pulled her hand away from my chest. “Don’t presume to touch me.” Joanna’s flirty smile slipped right off of her face. “I don’t care how long we’ve known each other, Joanna. Aria is the one that I love. You will not change that. And if I conti
Aria’s POV Finally Liam stilled. Slowly, he turned around to look at me, then studied my face as if he was trying to determine if I was being serious or not. Once he realized I was, his face twisted into disbelief. “Don’t be ridiculous, Aria.” “That’s what the rumors are all saying.” “You kn
Aria’s POV My co-workers could have been sharing more gossip, but it seemed more likely, judging by the words they said behind my back, that Joanna had been talking about me with everyone. For that to be true, she wasn’t just on some professional vendetta against me based on my work and work eth
Aria’s POV “This is a closet,” I said, looking at the cramped space. I wasn’t sure how they even managed to fit this desk in here. Did they have to disassemble it in the hallway and then reassemble it here? “I’m sure I could find you a smaller, even more cramped space if you would prefer it?” Jo
“Oh,” the man said. Understanding crossed his face, but so too did annoyance. “Surely you were told you were being demoted. You didn’t think you’d keep your office, did you?” “I didn’t know what to think,” I admitted. “No one really gave me any information.” “Well, this room is mine now,” the ma