CHAPTER 88: Her insecurities.The hum of morning activity buzzed in the company’s corridors. Chelsea stepped into the building with practiced poise, her heels clicking against the marble tiles as she adjusted her handbag over her shoulder. She had barely walked past the reception when a cluster of workers near the main hallway caught her attention.Among them was Valerie, effortlessly beautiful even in a plain black skirt and blue blouse. She clutched a stack of files against her chest, her lips curled in an amused smile as she conversed with two female staff members. Chelsea slowed her steps slightly when she heard Aria’s name drift through their conversation.“…I swear, she looked so relaxed in that house. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was the lady of the mansion,” one of the ladies whispered.Valerie gave a soft laugh. “She didn’t look like a visitor to me. Standing in front of the gate like that? I could tell she’d been inside for a while. I mean, come on… Mr. Liam is b
Chapter 87: Aria's disturbance.Aria stood outside the high iron gate, staring up at the mansion that loomed behind it like a fortress. Her fingers trembled slightly as she pulled her phone out of her bag and dialed Liam’s number. It rang for a few seconds before he picked up.“Aria?” His voice sounded confused and alarmed. “Why are you calling me?”“I’m outside your house,” she said sharply. “Tell your guards to let me in right now.”There was a beat of stunned silence. “What do you mean you’re outside my house? I never gave you my address.”“I hired a private investigator,” she replied bluntly. “So don’t act shocked.”“You’re seriously losing it,” he said, voice clipped. “I’m not letting you in.”“Oh, you will,” she said, flipping her phone’s camera and snapping a photo of herself in front of the gate. She typed out a message and sent it to Valerie. “Save this. I’ll be needing it soon.”The guards stood stiffly, ignoring her as instructed, but Aria wasn’t planning on leaving anytime
CHAPTER 86: THE AFTERMATH.Adams unlocked the front door quietly, easing it shut behind him with careful hands. His heart thumped wildly in his chest as if it feared being discovered too. The house was quiet—eerily so—but the smell of Marina’s perfume lingered faintly in the air, warning him she was close.He exhaled slowly, tiptoeing across the foyer like a thief in his own home.The last thing he wanted was to see his mother.He hadn’t spoken to her since the fallout, since Liam exposed everything. Seeing her now, after everything she did… would only push him further off the edge. He didn’t trust what might come out of his mouth—or what he might do.Instead, he headed straight for his room.As he passed the guest hallway, he caught a glimpse of Sandra in their shared bedroom through the open door. She was standing before the mirror, adjusting the clasp on her dress. A red silk gown hugged her figure perfectly. He paused, frowning.She barely acknowledged his presence.“Where are you
CHAPTER 85 – COLLISIONS AND CONSEQUENCESAdams’s head pounded.The stench of stale alcohol clung to his shirt, and his jacket was half off one shoulder. He blinked as the morning light pierced through the bar’s dusty windows, only then realizing that night had turned into day without his permission.He didn’t even remember how many glasses he’d downed. Only that the bitterness of whiskey was easier to stomach than the bitterness in his heart.His phone rang.He frowned at the caller ID—Sandra. He hesitated for a second before answering.“Where the hell are you?” her voice came sharp and concerned.Adams sat up straighter, rubbing his temples. “I’ll be home soon. Don’t tell my mother. I’m not ready to see her.”Sandra paused. “Are you okay?”He didn’t answer. He just ended the call and got up from the sticky bar stool, grabbing his keys and stumbling out into the sunlight.He slid into his car, the steering wheel feeling foreign in his hands. The engine purred to life, and he took a de
Chapter 84 – A Step Too FarAria was restless.She sat on the edge of the hotel bed, leg bouncing, phone clenched in her hand like it could somehow give her answers. The sun was already high up in the sky, bright rays filtering through the white curtains of the hotel room, but none of that registered. She had called Liam multiple times the night before, and again this morning—no response. Her texts had been read, but there were no replies.Her fingers hovered over the screen again, thumb moving toward the call button, but she yanked it away before she gave in. “Damn it,” she muttered, standing abruptly.She dialed Valerie instead.“Hey, girl,” Valerie’s voice came through sleepily.“Val, I need help,” Aria said quickly. “Liam left yesterday, and he hasn’t called me. He hasn’t texted. I have no idea where he is. Can you find him?”Valerie sighed. “Aria, I’m not in the U.S., remember? It’s not like I can just go knocking on doors.”“You don’t have to. Can’t you track his phone or someth
Chapter 83 — Unspoken Things“Don’t you dare smile like that, Reese,” Chelsea narrowed her eyes at her friend, who was practically glowing after hanging up her phone. “That was Gerald, wasn’t it?”Reese tried to hide her grin, but failed miserably. She flopped back on the couch dramatically, hugging a pillow. “You’re so nosy.”Chelsea raised a brow, then leaned forward. “It’s not being nosy when I’m your best friend and you're clearly suppressing a blush.”“I’m not blushing!”“You are definitely blushing.”Reese giggled. “Okay, maybe just a little. He said he misses me. And—” she paused, hugging the pillow tighter, “he’s coming back in two days instead of three.”Chelsea gasped, mock-offended. “Look at you, counting days now? I swear, love has made you weak.”“Jealous?”“Of course I am,” Chelsea scoffed playfully. “I’ve been stuck in romantic limbo while you get butterflies and earlier-than-expected returns.”Reese sat up straighter. “Romantic limbo, huh? You mean Liam?”Chelsea opene