The living room felt like a snapshot of my past, frozen in time. Everything was exactly as I remembered—familiar furniture, design patterns on the walls, even the scent of sandalwood and aged books lingered in the air.
Yet, the warmth that once existed here had evaporated, replaced by a tension so thick it felt suffocating.
Damien gestured toward the couch. “Please, sit.”
Liam and I exchanged a glance before lowering ourselves onto the leather sofa. It creaked softly under our weight, as if protesting our presence. Damien remained standing for a moment without removing his gaze, before he finally settled into the armchair across from us.
His eyes shifted to Liam, sizing him up like a hawk studying its prey. “And who is this?” he asked smoothly, but with a sharp edge beneath it.
“This is Liam,” I said in a steadfy voice. “My fiancé.”
Damien’s eyebrows lifted slightly, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. “Fiancé, you say?” He leaned back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Hmmm.”
L
