It was past six in the evening, and the town was bustling with excitement. Tonight was the Annual Town Fair, and preparations were in full swing. Ella had explained everything to me—there would be music, dancing, and all kinds of activities. It was like Christmas, except the decorations weren't just green and red.Ella had spent the entire day cooking, filling her stall with a variety of food and wine. She was proud of her work, and honestly, so was I. I loved food, so it was safe to say I'd be sticking around her stall most of the night.Evans was performing tonight—actually, he, Ella, and some of the older townsfolk had put together a dance they used to do when they were young. I had gone to one of their rehearsals and nearly died laughing at their outdated moves. I knew I wouldn't stop laughing when they performed it tonight."Sara, I need your help!" Ella called from downstairs.I stepped down to assist her, only to find her standing in front of a mirror, adjusting the black gown
As we finished loading everything into the truck, Greg leaned against the side and asked, "Where are your parents?"Liam rolled his shoulders. "They'll come alone." His face twisted slightly, like he was regretting the thought of what his parents were probably doing right now. I couldn't help but smile."Let's go," Liam said, hopping into the driver's seat.I climbed in, taking the back seat with Greg, while Trevor claimed the passenger side. As soon as I settled in, Greg leaned in slightly and sniffed. "Damn, you smell nice."I pulled back, giving him a look. "Are you a dog?"He grinned. "I'm a dog for you, baby.""Eww. Just wait till I tell Jane," Trevor teased from the front.Greg scoffed. "Bro, there's nothing going on between us."Trevor snorted. "Yeah, like I didn't see you banging her yesterday."Greg shrugged. "So what? We fucked, and that was it. She doesn't want anything serious. She came for the dick, and I gave her what she wanted.""Oh my God, can you guys stop?" I groane
I followed Liam back to the truck without a word, sliding into the passenger seat as he started the engine. He didn't even wait for Trevor and Greg. I knew we were leaving without them, and I also knew why. He Just started the engine and pulled onto the road, his grip on the wheel tight, his jaw locked.I bit back a smirk. He was pissed.Good.The night air rushed in through the open window, cooling my skin as I leaned back, watching him from the corner of my eye. He hadn't said a word since he saw me back there, legs spread, lips parted -not in pleasure, but in control. And the best part? He knew exactly what I was doing.I played him. Just like he accused me of before. Calculating, manipulative, always two steps ahead. He said it like it was a bad thing. But I never denied it.Jack was never going to touch me, not really. He was nothing more than a pawn, an easy piece to move across the board. The real game was Liam.And he walked right into it.He thinks he walked away? That he ign
Days passed. Then weeks. I didn't speak to Liam. He didn't speak to me. We existed in the same space, but we may as well have been on different planets. And I preferred it that way.The moment he walked away that night, leaving me standing in the dark with his words clinging to my skin like a burn, I made a choice.Liam was my enemy now.Not someone to taunt or push for the sake of a reaction. Not someone to play with just because I could. No-this was different. This was war. So, I did what any strategist would do.I adjusted.For the next few days, I ignored Liam completely. No glances. No taunts. No games. If he was in the room, I looked past him. If he spoke, I pretended I didn't hear. He wanted to act like I didn't exist? Fine. Two could play that game. But staying still wasn't an option.I needed a distraction, something to channel the energy buzzing beneath my skin. Something that didn't involve him.So, I threw myself into work. I woke up before sunrise and spent the mornings
It was market day, as usual. We were supposed to sell the fruits today. But there was a problem. Evans wasn't feeling well, and Jack was nowhere to be seen. Good—now he knows his place. Mr. Marlow was around, his truck already filled and ready to go, and so was ours. Like I said, there was a problem. The real problem was that Liam and I had to go together. Just the two of us. I stared at the truck, dreading the thought of hours trapped in that small space with him. No distractions. No escape. Just the tension crackling between us like a live wire, ready to snap at the slightest touch. Liam didn't look thrilled either. His expression was unreadable, but his movements were stiff, controlled—like he was holding something back. Nice. Mr. Marlow glanced between us, clearly sensing the tension. "Market won't wait, you know," he said, adjusting his hat. Without a word, Liam climbed into the driver's seat. I took my time getting in, making a show of adjusting my seatbelt even though I di
I threw myself into work, pitching our fruit like it was the last thing standing between people and starvation. My voice was smooth, confident, drawing in customers with ease. Meanwhile, Liam stood there like a human statue, arms crossed, exuding silent indifference. He wasn't helping, but he wasn't exactly useless either. Because, as much as he tried to ignore them, he was attracting attention.Mostly from girls.Teenagers giggled behind their hands, stealing glances at him. Young women hovered nearby, pretending to browse while sneaking shameless looks in his direction. His presence alone was enough to pull people in, but I made sure none of them left empty-handed.If they wanted to stand there gawking, fine—but they were going to pay for it. Every lingering stare? A sale. Every whispered giggle? Another crate gone. I used their fascination to my advantage, flashing my best smile and making sure they walked away with something in their hands.And then she appeared.A brunette, dress
Without thinking I bolted. I shoved past people, weaving through the crowded market as I chased after him. He must have seen me coming because he turned sharply, slipping between stalls and vanishing behind a cart piled high with sacks of grain.Not this time.I picked up speed, ignoring the shouts of vendors as I pushed past them. The man was fast, but I was faster. I caught a glimpse of him turning down an alley, his hoodie pulled low over his face. My pulse pounded as I rounded the corner, a road stretched ahead, and the man in the hoodie was running fast. I pushed myself to go even faster, my heart pounding in my chest. Just as I was closing in, a sudden gust of wind whooshed past me. No-not wind. A person.Liam.He sped past me with astonishing speed, closing the distance in seconds. Then, with a single swift motion, he lunged at the man, tackling him to the ground. The hooded figure hit the pavement hard with a grunt, but before he could recover, Liam had him pinned against the
"There's nothing else," the man muttered, turning his face away. Liam didn't hesitate. His fist connected with the man's jaw in a brutal punch. The man gasped, doubling over. "Man, I was broke, okay?" he wheezed. "I'm a delivery driver. I was on a job that day. I—I took something from her." My blood turned cold. "What?" "It was a necklace," he admitted. I clenched my jaw. "Where is it?" "I sold it," he mumbled. Rage flooded me. "You couldn't help me, but you could rob me?" "I thought you were dead!" he argued. " I was scared of being accused of something I didn't do!" I took a step closer. "What else did you take from me?" "Nothing! I swear! Just the necklace. You had a bracelet too, but it looked old, so I left it. I only took the chain. It was pure diamond, man, I was tempted, and I needed the money... I glared at him, fists trembling. "You stole from a dying woman. And you think 'I was tempted' is a fucking excuse?" His silence was answer enough. I clenche
The car disappeared down the road, and the silence that followed felt heavier than any words Emilia could've said. I stood there for a moment longer, arms wrapped tightly around myself, the chill creeping in through the thin fabric of my gown. Then I turned. I didn't want to see him. But I had to. My bare feet made soft sounds on the wooden stairs as I climbed, every step louder in my chest than in the hallway. When I reached the top, he was still standing there-leaning against the doorway of my room. Waiting. Watching. His eyes locked on mine, unreadable at first. But as I got closer, I could see it. The storm behind them. Rage, confusion... and something else. Something raw. Something that burned. I stopped a few feet away. "I didn't plan that," I said, voice barely above a whisper. He didn't move. "But you didn't stop it either." I swallowed hard. "It wasn't what it looked like." He let out a bitter laugh. "Really? Because from where I stood, it looked like you were enj
We finally got home. Liam didn’t say a word, he just walked straight to his room. I looked around, but Ella and Evans were nowhere in sight. Maybe they were already at the farm. Judging from the freshly wiped counters and the rearranged groceries in the kitchen, they had definitely returned. I sighed, the weight of the day finally catching up with me. My body felt heavy, like I was dragging shadows behind me. I needed to stop thinking. I needed to breathe. I needed a bath. Upstairs, I headed straight to my room, undressing slowly, every movement reminding me how sore I was, mentally, physically. I stepped into the bathroom and turned the faucet, letting the water cascade down my skin. I tilted my head back, eyes closed, hoping the hot stream could somehow wash away this frustration… this tangled knot of fear and confusion sitting in my chest. I should be happy. My memories were starting to return. But the problem was… they were haunted. Sharp. Bloody. Gripping. I had a terrible fee
I sat down, and the engine growled to life, and the truck rumbled forward down the empty road. But even as the motion soothed my nerves, something inside me twisted. I glanced at my hand. Bare. No wedding ring. I was married. I knew I was married. So where was it? Did I lose it in the chaos, or had I taken it off that day—the day? Maybe I didn’t wear it often. Maybe we fought. Maybe… something worse. The thought clung to me like fog I couldn’t push away.I looked up, needing a distraction, and locked eyes with Liam. His stare was steady, unsettling, as though he could see every thought running wild in my head. His expression wasn’t one I recognized: not pity, not anger, not even curiosity. It was… cautious. Evaluating. Why was he looking at me like that? A lump formed in my throat, and I quickly looked away, resting my head against the side of the truck. The moment I closed my eyes—Everything hit at once.A flash of headlights.Darkness slashed by streaks of color.And then—I was ru
We kept moving through the darkness,Liam leading the way with the same relentless urgency. My mind was spinning, trying to process everything he had just told me.Drugs. Guns. Stolen art. Murder.The mansion I had admired just hours ago was nothing more than a front for a criminal empire. Emilia's family wasn't just strict, they were dangerous. And Liam and I had been right in the middle of it, oblivious to how close we had come to never making it out. A shiver crawled down my spine."How much further?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. My throat felt dry, and my body ached from the constant running.Liam didn't answer. He was focused, scanning the trees around us like something, or someone, could jump out at any second. That wasn't comforting.I swallowed. "Liam-""Shh."My stomach dropped.Liam stopped suddenly, his arm shooting out to stop me in my tracks. His body went rigid, head tilted slightly like he was listening. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.Then I hear
Liam didn't waste a second. The moment I was up, he grabbed my wrist again and pulled me forward, keeping close to the fence as we moved. I was still trying to wrap my head around what was happening. The guards, the cars, the way Liam was acting, none of this made sense. "Who are these people?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. Liam didn't answer. He was too focused, his sharp eyes scanning every corner before taking another step. We slipped through a narrow gap between the trees, the rough bark scraping against my arm. The farther we moved from the mansion, the darker it got, the thick foliage blocking out the moonlight. Then, voices. I stiffened. Not just one or two. Multiple. Deep, authoritative tones coming from the direction of the house. I couldn't make out the words, but I could hear the weight in them. Orders. Discussions. Something serious. Liam crouched behind a large bush, pulling me down with him. His grip tightened. "Stay quiet," he whispered, his breath warm ag
I woke to a light tap on my arm. "Sara, wake up," Liam's voice was low but urgent. I groaned, blinking groggily as I opened my eyes. Liam was already dressed, his face tense with something I couldn't quite place. Before I could ask why he woke me, he tossed my clothes at me. "Get dressed," he said. I sat up, frowning. The clock on the wall read 5:09 AM. Why was he waking me up this early? "Why do you wa—" "Get dressed. Now." His voice was barely above a whisper, but there was no mistaking the command in his tone. That's when I knew something was wrong. Still half-asleep, I hesitated before grabbing my clothes. "Turn around," I mumbled. To my surprise, he did so without argument. Okay, that's weird. Liam never obeyed so easily, unless something was serious. My heart rate picked up. I hurriedly put on my clothes. "I'm done," I said, staring at him, more confused than ever. Liam turned to face me, his expression unreadable. Then, in a hushed voice, he said, "You're going to do exac
The air between us was thick, charged with something neither of us wanted to name. I shifted under the blanket, but every move made me more aware of him, of his scent, the warmth of his body just inches away. I could hear his breathing, steady but deeper now, like he was trying just as hard as I was to ignore whatever was happening between us. "Stop moving," Liam muttered, his voice husky in the darkness. "I'm not moving," I shot back, but even I could hear how unconvincing I sounded. He let out a low chuckle, and I felt the bed shift as he turned toward me. My pulse jumped. "You're restless," he murmured. "Why?" I swallowed hard. "I'm just... not used to sharing a bed." Silence. Then, a rough whisper, closer this time. "Liar." My breath hitched. Liam moved, and suddenly I felt him, his front brushing against my back , his presence overwhelming. I knew I should turn away, put distance between us, but I didn't. I couldn't. His fingers grazed my wrist, slow, testing. "You're te
The room was dim, the only light coming from the faint glow of the moon filtering through the curtains. My bare feet barely made a sound against the cold floor as I stepped out of the bathroom, clutching the towel in one hand, the thin nightgown clinging to my skin. I froze. Liam had already switched off the lights and was on the bed, his broad frame stretched out, one arm resting behind his head. His eyes were closed, his breathing even, as if he had already fallen asleep, or was at least pretending to. I hesitated, staring at him for a moment longer than I should have. He looked… different like this. Relaxed. Almost peaceful. Shaking off the ridiculous thought, I cleared my throat. “You don’t plan on sleeping on the bed, do you?” His lips twitched slightly, but he didn’t open his eyes. “Where do you want me to sleep?” “I don’t know,” I muttered, tightening my grip on the towel. “But we can’t sleep on the same bed.” That got his attention. Liam finally opened his eyes, pinning
The guest house was impressive, but it lacked the warmth of a lived-in space. The moment we stepped inside, I could tell it was barely used, everything was spotless, perfectly arranged, and carried that faint, unused scent. Emilia lingered by the doorway, shifting uncomfortably. "So... there's only one room available." I frowned. "Huh?" She cleared her throat. "The other rooms are, um, under renovation." I blinked. "Seriously?" Liam, as usual, remained unreadable, but I could tell he was just as unimpressed. "It's a big room," Emilia added quickly. "So you won't feel cramped or anything." She hesitated before giving me a pointed look. "Just don't... wander around, okay? My family isn't exactly fond of unexpected guests." I crossed my arms, arching a brow. "So we're basically being hidden." She winced. "That's... a harsh way to put it, but yeah." Liam exhaled through his nose, his expression giving nothing away. "It's fine." Emilia nodded, clearly relieved. "Okay. I'll have s