MasukLiam's POV“Liam.”Adrian's voice pulled me back. His hand was still gripping my arm.“Get hold of yourself,” he said quietly. “You don't want to blow your cover here.”I looked at him, then toward Ava and Sebastian.She was still standing beside him.My jaw tightened.I knew Adrian was right.I couldn't walk over there and cause a scene. Not here. Not with half of the most powerful people in New York watching me.I took a deep breath. Then another. In and out.“Liam.”This time, it was Clara.I turned and looked at my sister.She was standing a few feet away, staring at me with a worried expression.I looked at her, then back at Adrian.“People are watching,” he said. “Your reaction right now isn't helping.”I glanced around.He was right. Several people were looking in my direction.I forced myself to relax my shoulders.I smiled. It wasn't a real smile, but it was enough.“I'm fine,” I said.Adrian gave me a look that clearly said he didn't believe me.I ignored him and straightene
Liam's POVSebastian Cross was getting too close to Ava.That was the thought that had been irritating me ever since our conversation at the company.He had been bold about it too.He wanted Ava, and he wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.The worst part was that it bothered me.More than it should.I had no right to be jealous. Ava and I were no longer together. I was the one who had told her that our relationship might not work.But every time I imagined Sebastian taking her out, buying her things, making her laugh, or simply standing too close to her, something inside me tightened.I hated it. And I hated myself for caring.My mind went back to the night Ava and I had slept together.I had wanted her so badly that night.For a moment, everything between us had disappeared. The anger, the betrayal, the years she had kept Damien from me. None of it mattered when she was in my arms.But morning had brought reality back.We weren't together. And I couldn't pretend otherwise.I hadn't
Genevieve's POVAll my life, I had been the only daughter of the Langley family. The only child of Richard and Victoria Langley.The heiress to Langley Jewels Group.My parents had spent more than five years trying to have a child before my mother finally became pregnant with me. They had gone through doctors, treatments, disappointment, and everything else that came with wanting a child and not having one.They had even started considering adoption. Then my mother became pregnant with me.From the day I was born, I was treated like I was made of gold.My parents gave me everything I wanted.If I wanted something, I got it. If I didn't like something, it was removed.I grew up knowing exactly who I was.A Langley.The future owner of one of the biggest jewelry companies in the country.I had always maintained the perfect image.I knew how to walk into a room and make people look at me. I knew how to speak to important people. I knew which events to attend and which ones to avoid.And
Sebastian's Pov I watched Ava walk away from the lobby until she disappeared through the doors.A small smile formed on my lips.There was something about that woman. Even when she was clearly dealing with problems, she still had that fire in her.And I liked it. Maybe more than I should.Liam and Ava were no longer together. Everyone knew that. And for the first time, I felt like I actually had a chance.I wanted her. Not just for a few dates.I wanted her to be mine.“Boss.”I turned around.My secretary stood behind me.“Everything is ready.”I nodded.“Good.”I started walking, and several executives followed behind me.We entered the elevator together.As the doors closed, I leaned against the wall and checked my phone.The first collaboration between Cross Industries and Reynolds Holdings had finally reached its first major milestone.Everything was moving exactly as planned.When the elevator opened, we headed toward the meeting room.Liam and his executives were already seate
Ava's Pov Liam worshipped my body like I was a goddess herself.He licked my neck, moving down to my collarbone, my breasts, my tummy, my thighs, my toes, my pussy. Every part of my body received his attention.It was insane.“I told you tonight's gonna be a long night, Ava.”Liam stood from the bed and walked into another room, which I assumed was the closet.I sat nervously on the bed, wondering what he was up to.After a few minutes, he came back with...Wait.Those were sex toys, if I was seeing correctly.“Liam, how do you have those?” I asked, confused.“Does that matter right now? Don't spoil the fun, Ava,” Liam groaned.He dropped them on the bedside table before climbing onto the bed and crawling toward me.“You'll lie flat, Ava. On the bed.”I did as he told me.Liam picked up a pair of handcuffs from the things he'd brought.My eyes widened.“What are you doing with those?”Liam chuckled.“Relax, Angel. I'm not gonna hurt you.”He leaned down, took both my hands, and handc
Liam's Pov Dinner was unusually quiet.I had prepared creamy beef pasta, and the four of us sat around the dining table eating.Diana and Damien occasionally exchanged little smiles, but neither Ava nor I said much.There was still too much between us.Too many things that hadn't been resolved.When we finished eating, Diana and Damien carried their plates away before disappearing into the living room to watch cartoons.A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.I got up and walked to the door.The pizza delivery guy stood outside with the order.I took the boxes from him, thanked him, and brought them inside.The children immediately became excited.“Pizza!” Damien shouted.I laughed.“You two just finished your dinner.”“We're still hungry,” Diana said.I shook my head and carried the boxes to them.“Fine. But don't make a mess.”They happily opened the boxes and settled in front of the television.I stood there watching them for a moment.I hadn't planned on bringing Damien here. I h
Ava’s POVThe pain tore through me again, sharp and merciless. I clutched the sheets, sweat dripping down my forehead. Isa’s hand gripped mine tight, her lips pressed together as though she could take my pain if she held on hard enough.“Push, Ava,” Dr. Miranda ordered, her voice clipped and profes
Ava’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear for the fifth time. My reflection stared back at me, pale and tense. The blouse I chose felt too tight, my skirt too formal, my hands trembling slightly as I clutched my bag.“Mom,” I said, my voice breaking slightly,
The sun was bright when Damien and I reached the park. He held my hand until we stepped onto the grass, then he let go and ran ahead, full of energy. His laugh carried through the air as he darted toward the swings, then the slide, and then the sandbox. I kept my eyes on him, sitting down on a benc
Liam’s POVDinner was quiet at first. Diana pushed her fork around the plate, not really eating. I tried to lighten the mood, asking about school, her drawings, her favorite book. She gave small answers, distracted.Finally, she put the fork down and looked at me.“Daddy,” she said softly. “Can I a







