Chapter four.

Layla's POV.

The clouds looked peaceful from the window seat.

I was going home... To London, to the legacy that I left behind for love.

Donald was right, he'd actually picked me from the club... But that wasn't the whole story.

After my parents death, the family's multimillion dollar company was willed to me, being the eldest child, but I didn't want my life to revolve around the office, I wanted more; I wanted to love and be loved in return, after running the company for few years, I just couldn't anymore... So I did what anyone in my situation would do... I handed the company to my only brother, he was good in business too, and I was sure the company was in good hands, then I left for New York.

Leaving London meant leaving the legacy behind, and that includes the money... I wanted to find love as an ordinary person, and the first day Donald and I met, I was convinced that it was possible.

He didn't care about anything, he didn't even know anything about me but he was willing to take me home... I found love with Donald and I wanted forever with him, but I guess forever is such a long time then.

But good riddance anyways... Before I left, I had already made calls and terminated every contract I had secretly connected to his company through mine, he should be getting bankruptcy calls by now; and I still had more coming.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the cold window. The reflection that stared back at me didn’t look like the woman who’d once been called powerful, the woman who’d run boardrooms and carried an empire in her hands. No, this one was broken, but maybe that was what starting over looked like.

The pilot’s voice suddenly broke through my thoughts, announcing our arrival. I straightened, exhaling slowly as the plane tilted toward the ground.

**

The drive from the airport was long and quiet.

My brother had sent one of the old family driver, Gregory, to get me.

When the tall iron gates came into view, my chest tightened.

Gregory parked the car near the steps, and I stepped out slowly, for a moment, I just stood there, letting it all sink in. The air, the memories that came in waves too strong to stop.

It wasn’t just a house.

It was the echo of everything I’d been before love took me away.

“Welcome home, sis.”

I turned at the sound of that voice, and there he was... my brother, leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, a soft smile playing on his lips.

He looked older now, more like the man he’d always wanted to be. His eyes, though, still carried the warmth of the boy who’d once followed me everywhere.

“Adrian,” I breathed, smiling as I crossed the distance and pulled him into a hug.

He hugged me back tightly. “You’re finally back.”

“Yeah,” I whispered, my voice catching. “I am.”

He pulled back slightly, studying me. “You look different.”

“I feel different.”

“Good different?”

“Let’s just say… alive,” I said softly.

He nodded slowly, understanding more than I said.

“I didn’t expect you to wait outside,” I added, glancing toward the door.

“Well, I figured you’d need a familiar face,” he said. “Also, I wasn’t alone.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he gestured toward the side of the porch.

Someone was standing there.

At first, I only noticed the height... tall, broad-shouldered, then the tattoo along one arm, visible beneath the rolled sleeve of his black shirt. He had one hand in his pocket, the other holding a small glass of wine... Or whiskey, whichever.

When he looked up, my breath caught.

His eyes met mine, and for a second, the world around us dimmed. Everything literally just faded.

He was striking in a way that was… dangerous. The kind of man you didn’t prepare yourself to see, because you wouldn’t know how to handle the reaction he caused.

His hair was dark, a little messy, with strands that fell just above his brows. His jaw was sharp, traced with subtle beards that somehow made him look both rugged and put together. His skin was tanned, the veins along his forearms pronounced against the tattoo that trailed up from his wrist.

Who is this?

Did Adrian find out that I just went through a messy divorce and decided to order a man as hot anyone could possibly imagine to calm my stress? I mean I'm down for it.

Adrian noticed my pause and cleared his throat, “You remember Liam, right?”

Liam.

The name clicked a few seconds later.

“Your best friend,” I said slowly, my mind struggling to match this man to the boy I’d once known... the one who used to come over after school.

But this wasn’t that boy.

This was someone else entirely.

He straightened, setting the glass down on the porch railing, and walked toward me.

“Layla,” he said simply. His voice was deep now, rough around the edges.

“Liam,” I managed to mutter, my voice softer than I intended.

“It’s been a while.”

“Years,” I replied, still trying to compose myself.

“Welcome home,” he said. His tone was calm, but there was something in the way he said it that vibrated through my entire body.

Gosh, what is happening to me?

“Thank you,” I murmured, though I wasn’t sure what I was thanking him for... the greeting, or the way my name sounded in his voice.

Adrian clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Liam was just passing by. He helps out with some of the new contracts since he’s part of the board now.”

I blinked, surprised. “You’re on the board?”

Liam nodded. “Your brother insisted. I tried to say no.”

“I didn’t have a choice, he's really good.” Adrian interrupted. "He's been running his family business longer than I have with ours, so I need his expertise."

Liam chuckled quietly. "So you're basically using me then.”

The way his mouth curved when he smiled, gosh! Get it together Layla.

I quickly looked away, pretending to study the surroundings.

“Well,” Adrian said, turning to me, “come inside, Layla. You must be exhausted.”

I nodded, forcing myself to move, to focus on something other than the silent pull coming from the man just a few feet away.

Liam stepped aside, his gaze following me as I passed. I could feel it.

Adrian led the way through the hallway, filling me in on the things that happened in my absence. I nodded when appropriate, but my thoughts kept slipping back to the porch where he'd stood... to that quiet, dangerous calm in his eyes.

And as I turned once more before heading up the staircase, I caught sight of him through the open doors, standing where I’d left him, hands in his pockets, eyes still on me.