Suzanne walked briskly toward her car, her mind replaying Leo’s last words."If it weren't for Liam, I'd have never known about this. So the only person you should thank is him."She felt a pang of guilt settle in her chest. The way she had spoken to him earlier that morning—it hadn’t been fair. She sighed, fumbling for her car keys as she neared her vehicle.“Suzanne, wait!”The familiar voice made her pause. She turned to see Liam jogging toward her, his expression a mix of concern and determination.He stopped in front of her, slightly out of breath. “I—”“Let me go first,” she interrupted, raising a hand.Liam pressed his lips together, silently urging her to continue.“I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you this morning,” she began, her voice softer now. “I was frustrated with my father and everything happening around me, and I let it all out on you. It wasn’t fair, and I’m really sorry, Liam. Can you forgive me?”Her sincerity caught him off guard. He studied her for a moment befo
Suzanne leaned back in her leather chair, absently tapping her pen against the desk as she glanced at the clock for the third time that morning. It had been four days.Four days since Liam had confessed his feelings to her.Four days since he’d told her he loved her.And yet—nothing.No calls. No texts. Not even a casual drop-by at her office.A frustrated sigh escaped her lips as she tossed the pen aside. Who confesses their love and then disappears like that? It was infuriating. More than that—it hurt.She had told herself she was too busy to think about it, too occupied with work and Charlie to dwell on Liam’s absence. But the truth? She missed him. More than she wanted to admit.Finally, she gave in.Grabbing her office phone, she dialed Carter Hospital’s private line, the one meant for high-ranking medical personnel. The line rang twice before a nurse picked up.“Carter Hospital, Dr. Liam Carter’s office. How may I help you?”Suzanne straightened in her seat, trying to sound casu
The volunteers scrambled, pushing open the clinic’s doors as Liam carried Suzanne inside, his grip firm but gentle.Suzanne peeked up at him through half-lidded eyes, her heartbeat thundering.He looked so serious, so focused, so… worried.She had never felt more safe.But she had also never felt more ridiculous.What kind of grown woman faked an illness just to get a man’s attention?…Her, apparently.Liam laid her down on one of the beds, his hands immediately moving to check her vitals. His brow furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line of concentration.Even now, she couldn’t help but admire him—the sharpness of his jaw, the way his hair fell slightly over his forehead, the intensity in his gaze as he worked.Damn it. He had no right to look this good.“Tell me exactly what you’re feeling,” he said, his voice softer now, but laced with urgency.Suzanne gulped, her eyes flickering away. Maybe… maybe she should tell him the truth.That she wasn’t really sick.That she had only don
A sharp throat-clearing shattered the moment, making them snap apart like guilty teenagers.Bianca stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her face carefully neutral, though something flickered in her eyes—something unreadable.Liam straightened, his expression shifting into something more professional.“Dr. Carter,” Bianca started, her voice clipped, “we’re short-staffed.”Liam exhaled, running a hand down his face before nodding. “I’m coming.”Bianca hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering between them, before turning on her heel and walking away.Silence settled between them, thick and charged.Then Liam turned to Suzanne, his gaze steady. “When are you leaving?”She blinked, caught off guard.Without thinking, she blurted out, “Who said I’m going?”Liam’s brows lifted slightly in surprise.Her heart stumbled in her chest as she realized what she’d just said.“I mean—” she hurried to correct herself, tucking her hair behind her ear, “I’m not busy right now. I can help.” She tried t
Liam's eyes widened in surprise, but a slow smile spread across his face. "Suzanne," he said, his voice husky. "You should've knocked."She swallowed hard, her gaze still glued to his bare chest. "I... I didn't know you were in here."He took a step closer, his smile turning into a smirk. "Well, I am."Suzanne's heart was racing now, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps. She should leave. She knew she should. But her feet seemed rooted to the spot.Liam closed the distance between them, his eyes never leaving hers. He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His touch sent a shiver down her spine."You're hard to ignore, Suzy, should we continue from where we stopped in the morning?" he murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips.She felt her cheeks heat up, her heart pounding even harder. "Liam..."He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, teasing kiss. It was like a spark, igniting a fire within her. She gasped, her hands reaching up to grip his sh
Morning broke quietly over the estate, the sky painted in soft hues of gold and lavender. A crisp breeze rustled through the towering trees, carrying the distant chirping of birds. The estate grounds, usually serene, echoed with the laughter of a little boy at play.Little Charlie, barely a year and five months old, kicked his ball excitedly across the driveway, his tiny legs wobbling but determined. A shrill giggle escaped his lips as the ball rolled toward the gate—and then, past it.The toddler hesitated for only a second before chasing after it, his chubby legs carrying him through the open gate. But just as he reached for his ball, a large hand got to it first.Charlie stopped.He looked up.A man stood before him, the morning light casting an elongated shadow over his figure. Dressed in a crisp dark suit, he knelt to the child’s level, turning the ball between his fingers with a slow, deliberate motion.“Well, well,” the man mused, his lips curling into a smile. “Look who we hav
At the office, the atmosphere was light, filled with the warmth of laughter and casual chatter. Finn Carter leaned back in his chair, his sleeves slightly rolled up, fingers lazily tapping against the smooth wooden surface of his desk. Across from him sat Dr. Chris Murphy, the Chief Operating Officer of Carter Specialist Hospital. The two men exchanged stories over tea, their conversation flowing with the ease of old friends.But then, the air shifted.Finn lifted his teacup from the table with a sharp clink, taking a slow, deliberate sip.He leaned forward, locking eyes with Chris."How does my brother work in the office?"Chris, ever the professional, didn’t falter. He offered a practiced smile. "Dr. Carter is very passionate, Mr. Carter. He’s got impressive medical skills. Very dedicated."But Finn wasn’t buying it. His gaze hardened, his voice losing its earlier warmth. "What would you do if I said I wanted to bring him down?"The smile on Chris’s face faltered, vanishing as quick
Back at the estate, the air was still, save for the occasional rustling of the trees. Charles Langford stood by his study window, watching the estate across the street. His new neighbor’s party was set for tomorrow, but that wasn’t what intrigued him.No, it was the boy.Charlie.His smirk was slow, calculated.“What a small world,” he murmured to himself, lifting a glass of bourbon to his lips.Then, with a quiet chuckle, he turned away from the window.Tomorrow would be an interesting night for him and Suzanne Smith.---Liam’s car was silent, save for the rhythmic tapping of his fingers against the steering wheel. His phone sat on the dashboard, the screen lit with a familiar name—Suzanne Smith.He exhaled sharply, pressing the call button again.Ring.Ring.Ring.Nothing.The call went to voicemail. Again.Liam clenched his jaw, his grip tightening on the wheel. He had lost count of how many times he had tried to reach her today. Morning. Afternoon. And now, after the heated confr
Liam stepped out of the surgery room, peeling off his gloves as the bright hospital lights bore down on him. It had been a long, grueling procedure, but as soon as he saw the relieved faces of the patient’s family, he knew it had been worth it.“Dr. Carter!” A woman rushed toward him, eyes glistening with tears. “Is he okay?”Liam offered a reassuring smile. “The surgery was a success. He’s stable now. You can see him once he’s fully awake and resting.”The family broke down in tears, sobbing and clutching each other. “Thank you, doctor! Thank you so much! We thought we’d lose him!”“You saved his life,” another person chimed in, voice trembling with gratitude. “God bless you.”Liam gave them a small nod before walking away, exhaling deeply. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, dialing William’s number.“What’s the update?” Liam asked, his voice low but urgent.William’s tone was steady. “Everything is under control. No movement from Finn’s side yet.”Liam nodded, rubb
Suzanne stepped into the house, exhaustion weighing her down—only to stop in her tracks. The rich aroma of something delicious filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of roses.Her brows furrowed as she kicked off her heels. "Liam?""In here," his voice called from the living room.Curious, she walked in—and her lips parted in surprise.A small, intimate dinner setup greeted her. A two-person table, elegantly arranged in the middle of the room, with candles casting a golden glow. Rose petals were scattered across the floor, leading up to the table, and soft instrumental music hummed in the background.Liam stood beside the table, sleeves rolled up, looking smug. “Surprise.”She raised an eyebrow, fighting back a smile. "Is this your way of apologizing for this morning?"He smirked. "You could say that."A chuckle escaped her lips. “Wow. You really went all out.”He walked over and pulled out a chair for her. “Well, I had to make up for being an ass, didn’t I?”She shook her head
Liam woke up to the scent of something warm and delicious. His eyelids fluttered open, and for a second, he thought he was dreaming. But no, there she was—Suzanne—standing beside the bed, a tray in her hands, looking like she had just stepped out of one of his best fantasies.“Good morning, sleepyhead,” she teased, setting the tray down on the bed.Liam rubbed his eyes and sat up, eyeing the plate of eggs, toast, and coffee with mild suspicion. “Did you… make this?”Suzanne rolled her eyes. “Wow. No faith in me at all?”He smirked, picking up the fork. “It’s just… I never got to eat your cooking before. Not in high school.”She shrugged, watching him as he took a bite. “First time for everything.”Liam chewed, his expression thoughtful. “Not bad. Actually—” He took another bite, pretending to be shocked. “Damn. Suzy, are you secretly a chef? Were you hiding this from me too?”She laughed, smacking his arm playfully. “Oh, shut up and eat.”For a while, they enjoyed the quiet. But the s
Suzanne’s breath hitched as Liam approached, his gaze dark with hunger. Her heart pounded, her body reacting to him before she could think. She bit her lip, caught between a smile and shyness.“Liam,” she whispered. “You should have knocked.”A slow grin spread across his face. “I should have,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. “But then I wouldn’t get to see you like this.”A ghost of a smile touched her lips, as if she wanted to challenge him, but nervous anticipation flickered in her gaze. She had always been so composed, so guarded. But here, now, standing half-naked before him, her vulnerability only made her more intoxicating.Liam reached out, his knuckles brushing along the curve of her jaw. His fingers trailed down, skimming her shoulder, feather-light, until they found the delicate strap of her bra. He hooked his finger beneath it, tugging it down just slightly, teasing her.Suzanne exhaled a shaky breath, her body leaning into his touch."I shouldn’t be here," he murmur
Finn Carter’s OfficeFinn Carter stepped into his office, his sharp gaze immediately landing on Dr. Chris Murphy, who sat across from another man—Dr. Victor Langston, the physician overseeing his father’s declining health.He barely spared them a glance as he turned to his assistant. “Leave us.”The door clicked shut behind him. With an air of practiced ease, Finn strolled to his chair and sank into it, propping his legs up on the desk and crossing them lazily. His piercing eyes shifted to Chris, curiosity laced with boredom.“To what do I owe this visit, Dr. Murphy?”Chris exchanged a hesitant glance with Langston before clearing his throat. “Dr. Langston has an update on your father’s health.”Finn exhaled, shaking his head as if the topic exhausted him. “Mm.” Then, with a smirk, he arched a brow. “Is he dead yet?”Langston hesitated for a brief second before shaking his head. “No.”Finn’s smirk faded into an unimpressed stare. “Then what’s the problem?”Chris and Langston exchanged
Dr. Liam Carter walked beside Dr. Frank Calloway, the hospital director, as they navigated the wide corridors of Carter Specialist Hospital.Frank was a man in his late fifties, well-respected and sharp-eyed, with an air of authority that came naturally. As they walked, he glanced at Liam with a knowing smile.“I’ve heard a lot about your work in Los Angeles,” Frank said. “Your reputation precedes you.”Liam smirked, adjusting his coat. “I hope it’s all good things.”Frank chuckled. “Good? That’s an understatement. The board was hesitant at first, but once they reviewed your cases—especially that complex triple bypass you performed last year—they were sold. Not to mention your research on minimally invasive heart surgeries. It’s impressive.”Liam nodded. “I appreciate that, Dr. Calloway. Though, I’ll admit, I never planned on coming here.”Frank gave him a sideways glance. “Yet, here you are.”Liam exhaled, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Yet, here I am.”Frank didn’t push for more.
The Carter Specialist Hospital assembly hall was packed. Rows of white coats filled the seats, and the air buzzed with tension. Every doctor in attendance was waiting for one man.Dr. Liam Carter.And he was late.Murmurs rippled through the crowd, impatience growing with every ticking second.“He’s rude,” one doctor muttered under his breath.A woman beside him scoffed. “What do you expect? He’s the chairman’s son. They own this hospital.”“So that gives him the right to keep us all waiting?” another snapped. The older doctors at the front cleared their throats in annoyance, subtly agreeing but unwilling to voice it.Further back, among the younger-ranked doctors, a different conversation was brewing.“I heard he’s a genius.” A young male doctor leaned forward. “Graduated at the top of his class, turned down job offers from the best hospitals in the world—Harvard Medical, John Hopkins—just to do his own thing.”“Not just that,” another chimed in. “He performed his first major surgery
Liam pushed open the door to his room, rubbing a hand down his face as exhaustion settled in. But sleep was the last thing on his mind. He strode to the window, staring out at the darkened estate before pulling out his phone.With a swift swipe, he dialed a number. The call barely rang twice before a gruff voice answered.“Do you ever let me sleep?”Liam scoffed. “I’m paying you exclusively for your job, William.”A long sigh came through the line, and Liam could practically hear the man rolling his eyes."Okay, you win," William muttered. "This better be worth it."Liam exhaled, his jaw tightening. “Finn wants to marry Suzanne Smith.”There was a beat of silence before William let out a sharp scoff. “He’s gone mad.”Liam shook his head, staring at his reflection in the glass. “I know. That’s why I’m calling. Suzanne would never agree to it, but Finn is so damn sure about it.”"When’s the wedding?" William asked, his tone shifting to something more serious.“In three days.”The silenc
Charles sped toward the Smith estate, silently praying the party hadn’t ended yet. His heart pounded as he pulled into the front lawn, but just as he was about to step out, his phone buzzed.His mother. Again.And Sarah, too.He rolled his eyes, “What do you want, Mother?” he snapped.Laughter rang through the other end, rich with amusement.“You did well, my son.”His brows furrowed. “What?”“You went to bring back my daughter-in-law? Good boy. I’m proud of you.” Her voice dripped with satisfaction.Charles ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “How the hell do you already know?”“It’s everywhere. The news.”Of course.He pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s not as easy as you think, Mother. You do remember what we did to her, right?”His mother scoffed. “Don’t worry. If convincing her gets too tough, I’ll come myself.” The confidence in her tone was unsettling.Charles sighed. “I have to go.”“Keep me updated, son.”The line went dead.He barely had a moment to breathe bef