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
As Suzanne approached the end of the aisle, the murmurs in the venue softened, all eyes fixed on her. Then, she saw him.Her father, Armstrong Smith, stood just ahead, his expression a mix of pride and regret. His hands clenched at his sides, and for a fleeting moment, he looked as if he might falter. But when their eyes met, he stepped forward, his voice thick with emotion."I'm sorry, my baby," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "If I could turn back time, I would have been a better father to you."Suzanne’s lips curved into a soft smile, her heart lighter than she ever thought possible. "I've forgiven you long ago," she said sincerely. "I just wanted you to understand what family truly means. Thank you for being here."His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Can you do me the honor?" He opened his arm in invitation.Without hesitation, Suzanne slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. As they began their walk down the aisle, the sound of violins and a grand piano fi
Suzanne stood before the mirror, her breath catching as she took in her reflection. The gown was exquisite—an elegant, off-the-shoulder masterpiece with intricate lace detailing that cascaded down the bodice and into a flowing train. The soft ivory fabric shimmered under the light, catching every delicate movement. Her hair was styled in a graceful updo, loose strands framing her face, while a cathedral-length veil trailed behind her, completing the look of a bride straight out of a dream.Her eyes sparkled, not just with excitement but with a deep, unwavering love. Today was the day she became Mrs. Carter."I can't believe I'm getting married to your son, Mrs. Carter," Suzanne said, turning toward Eloise, who stood watching her with warm, motherly pride.Eloise smiled, stepping closer. "I knew you both would always find your way back to each other. You two are meant to be, my beautiful bride."Suzanne swallowed the lump in her throat. This was the moment she had expected to miss her
Prison Visiting CenterLeo Carter stepped into the stark, dimly lit visiting area, the scent of disinfectant lingering in the air. The walls were gray, the chairs metal and bolted to the floor, and a thick pane of glass separated him from the person he had come to see—his son, Finn Carter.Finn sat on the other side, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit. His once confident and cunning eyes were now shadowed with exhaustion and regret. His knuckles were bruised, likely from a fight, and there was an emptiness about him that hadn’t been there before. He stared at Leo through the glass, eyes cautious, waiting for him to speak first.Leo picked up the phone attached to the divider. Slowly, Finn did the same."You actually came," Finn muttered, voice hoarse.Leo exhaled, his grip tightening around the receiver. "Of course, I did. You're my son, Finn."Finn scoffed, shaking his head. "Your son? If I was truly your son, I wouldn’t be sitting in here, would I?" His voice dripped with bitterness,
The tension in the boardroom was suffocating. The long, polished mahogany table gleamed under the overhead lights, but all eyes were locked on the man at the head of the table—Armstrong Smith.Suzanne sat opposite him, poised and unwavering. She was dressed for war, her black blazer crisp, her expression unreadable. Next to her, Nina leaned back lazily, one leg crossed over the other, exuding quiet confidence.Armstrong, however, looked anything but confident. His fingers tapped impatiently against the table, his jaw tight. He had built this company, shaped it, controlled it. And now, his own daughter was challenging him in front of the entire board.One of the directors, an older man with silver hair, cleared his throat. “Ms. Smith, you’ve called this emergency meeting with serious allegations against your father. We need to know exactly what you’re claiming.”Suzanne didn’t hesitate. She slid a folder onto the table and met every board member’s gaze before speaking. “I am claiming t
She turned her gaze to her lawyer."Thank you, Atty. Greg." She extended her hand, and he shook it firmly."It was a pleasure, Ms. Smith," he said with a proud nod.Before she could say more, warm hands touched her shoulders. Liam.He leaned down, kissing her forehead softly. “Considering I wasn’t around when you were fighting this, you still pulled it off. Congratulations to us, my love.”Suzanne nudged him playfully. “Oh, come on. You helped me—without William getting that recording, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.”Liam chuckled, pressing a small kiss to the top of her head. Their moment was interrupted by a quiet but deliberate clearing of a throat.They turned to see Anna standing before them, holding the child in her arms."Anna." Suzanne stepped forward, her expression softening as she greeted her.Meanwhile, Liam’s gaze flickered past them, landing on Judge Hansel. He straightened, excusing himself before walking toward the judge.Suzanne stepped forward with a small smile. "
Judge Hansel studied Attorney Barnes carefully, his fingers tapping against the bench. “How do you know that, when the first witness was lying when she stated she had no relationship with Charles Langford?”Barnes adjusted his glasses and stepped forward. “I have multiple pieces of evidence to prove she is lying. If I may, Your Honor.”The judge gave a firm nod. “Proceed.”Barnes walked over to his table and retrieved a small recording device. Turning to face the courtroom, he held it up.“This,” he announced, his voice strong and deliberate, “is an audio recording of Charles Langford and Sarah Thompson.”The room fell into an eerie silence.Charles’ smirk vanished instantly.Barnes pressed play. The courtroom filled with Charles’ voice—low, menacing, unmistakable.“You think you can defy me, Sarah?”A loud slap. A muffled cry."You whore," he spat, "Do you think I’m asking you?" "Have you forgotten all the times I covered for you? Your drunk driving—or should we talk about the time
Supreme Court of OntarioCase: Suzanne Smith vs. Charles LangfordProceedings – Divorce and Domestic Abuse AllegationsAs the courtroom settled into its tense quiet, Judge Hansel adjusted his glasses, eyes scanning the papers before him. He looked up, a sharp command in his voice.“Let us proceed,” he announced, his gaze flicking between the two parties. “Call your first witness, Attorney Barnes.”Gregory Barnes stood, nodding respectfully to the judge. He turned to Suzanne, who was seated beside him, her posture rigid, but her eyes determined. She’d come too far to let this fall apart now.Greg walked toward the witness stand, and everyone in the room shifted their attention. The door creaked open, and Sarah Thompson entered, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. She made her way toward the stand, looking calm but a little too composed for Suzanne’s liking. Sarah swore her oath, raising her right hand, her voice steady but with an edge that made Suzanne's blood run c
Three weeks ago.And then, just like before, he took what was his.His lips crashed against hers, claiming her, stealing the breath from her lungs. Suzanne melted into him, her fingers fisting into his shirt as she let herself forget—just for a moment—that there was still a war to fight."Let's take this to the bedroom."Before she could respond, Liam swept her off her feet. She gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs tightening around his waist as he carried her effortlessly toward his bedroom.The door slammed open with a forceful kick of his boot, and in one swift motion, he dropped her onto the bed, his body hovering over hers as he began to peel off his shirt. Suzanne’s breath hitched, anticipation building, but just as things were about to escalate, his phone rang.“Wrong timing, Wil,” Liam muttered, glancing at the screen. He was about to end the call when the urgency in Will’s voice stopped him."Finn has made his move," Will said urgently.Liam’s fac
Eloise Carter stepped out of the car, tilting her head as she took in the stunning glass house before her. The morning sun reflected off its sleek exterior, making it shimmer like a diamond nestled in a sea of lush greenery."Is this place your new home?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.Liam smiled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I bought this place a long time ago, Mom. It’s not just a house—it’s a retreat. A place to unwind, away from the chaos."A soft click interrupted them.They turned to see Mira, holding up her phone, snapping pictures at different angles."This place is insane," she muttered in awe.And it was.The house sat elegantly amidst a breathtaking landscape. Vibrant flowers—roses, jasmine, and lilies—lined the stone pathway leading to the entrance, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Towering oak and maple trees framed the estate, providing both shade and a touch of mystery. A pristine koi pond shimmered nearby, tiny ripples forming as golden and