Liam’s POV That weekend, I stuck to my promise and took Joe and William Christmas shopping. This time of year, the stores were incredibly busy, so I held hands with both Joe and William as we perused the store, looking for the kids’ perfect gifts for Aria. As we walked along a shopping plaza, we
Liam’s POV Aria loved Christmas. She didn’t always show it, sometimes complaining about the crowds and the traffic and the hassle of fixing all the broken lights on the string. But after the work is done, when the lights are twinkling and the cookies are baked, when the gifts are wrapped under the
Aria’s POV Under the mistletoe, Liam moved in and I didn’t move away. Slowly, gently, his lips pressed against my own. I closed my eyes at once, enjoying the warm softness of him. The kiss itself was soft and sweet, not demanding or insisting, more a quiet gift of consent and compromise. I sighe
Liam’s POV The next few days felt like a dream. With the break off of work, Aria and I got to stay home full-time with the kids. In the morning, we woke up around the same time and spent mornings together, sipping coffee in the kitchen. When the kids got up, we worked together to make pancakes and
Aria’s POV As soon as the executive stepped away from the podium, and the meeting officially ended, Liam walked away from the line executives and straight to me. “We need to talk,” he said. “Come with me to my office.” As I agreed, I saw no reason to argue, so I followed him back to his office
Liam’s POV I only had a few affairs to get in order before I left. As William was going to stay with Aria, I didn’t need to worry about finding schools overseas or uprooting his life at all. Aria and the kids would stay here in the house, so I didn’t have to worry about hiring anyone to watch it.
Liam’s POV The first thing I did when I walked into my office the next morning, after throwing my briefcase to the side, was pick up the phone and make a call. One of the executive’s assistants seemed confused by my sudden call. “I’m sorry, Liam, but appointments for the day haven’t started yet.
I hadn’t sold it yet. I wasn’t even trying, despite what I had told Liam, who sold the house next door in less than a week. It felt something like an insurance policy, having that house in my back pocket, just in case things went bad with Liam. I wanted to trust in him fully, but when I’d done tha
I might have understood the high society way of life but that didn’t make me partial to it. The opposite, having to negotiate for everything was exhausting. Everyone was out for themselves. Chuck agreed to keep things quiet until Sunday, but I imagined even that wasn’t entirely selfless.In a few mo
Liam’s POVI’d been on hold for ten minutes before the owner of one of the news outlets finally picks up the phone. I knew Chuck well enough. We’d hung around at the same parties and same events in my younger years, back when I’d been a driver with a partying reputation to uphold.Since I fell out o
Liam’s POV“I sent out the invitations,” Joanna said first thing the next morning in the office.“What? You were supposed to let me see the list first,” I said, surprised and annoyed. Per our previous discussions and agreements, I was supposed to have the final say on the list of invitees.She rolle
Aria’s POVDuring break, I went to the coffee machine in the hallway to get myself a fresh cup. Unfortunately when I went to pour, the pot was empty. Sighing, I grabbed the pot and turned toward the breakroom to use the sink to refill it.Turning, however, I nearly walked straight into Joanna, who I
Watching me, she slowly raises a brow. “If I can make it happen this Saturday, you’ll let me invite whoever I want?”“Within reason,” I said. “I don’t have to tell you why I want to keep this a secret,” I said. If Aria found out about this, it could be the end of everything. I wasn’t going to risk l
Liam’s POVThe next morning, Joanna sat in our shared office avoiding work and creating the official guest list for our engagement party instead. Occasionally, she would throw out a name. Again and again, I would remind her.“I want this to be as small of a party as possible, Joanna.”Again and agai
Liam’s POV Markus’s smile grew, seemingly even more pleased. “Good. You’ve finally seen the truth in things then. Women. Relationships. What do they matter? Legacy, that’s what’s important. You are making the right choice, son. Finally. But then, I always knew you’d come around.” He only could be
Their leaving together could have been a coincidence. Even so, an uncomfortable feeling rose up in my stomach. They looked good together, side by side. Both so attractive, model-like, even though Joanna seemed much happier than Liam. His unhappiness was what gave me the strength to step forward.
Aria’s POV There had to be some kind of misunderstanding. Even if Jackson truly had seen what he said he’d seen, there had to be an explanation. If there wasn’t, then this, combined with those texts Joanna showed me, and the one I had spotted on Liam’s phone last night all added up to only one con