3

Chapter Three

Aurora didn’t move.

Her fingers curled around the envelope, but her gaze stayed locked on Liam.

He stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching her. Not in the lazy, amused way he usually did, but sharp, calculating, dangerous. His jaw was tight, his muscles tense like a predator who had just caught someone trespassing on his territory.

The silence stretched.

Then, Liam took a step closer.

“I don’t like people touching my things,” he said, voice low.

Aurora raised an eyebrow, forcing herself to stay calm even though her heart was pounding.

“Really?” she mused. “That’s funny, because last night, you didn’t seem to have a problem sharing yourself with three people at once.”

Liam’s lips twitched, but his eyes didn’t soften.

“Careful, princess,” he murmured. “You’re getting bold.”

Aurora smirked. “And you’re getting nervous.”

Liam exhaled a slow breath, tilting his head slightly as his eyes dropped to the envelope in her hand.

“Put it down.”

Aurora tightened her grip.

“Why?” she asked. “Afraid I’ll find something?”

Liam’s gaze flickered, just for a second, but it was enough.

She had guessed right.

This wasn’t just some legal document. It was something more. Something he didn’t want anyone seeing.

Aurora’s pulse raced.

“What are you hiding, Liam?” she pressed. “Is this about Edward?”

Liam didn’t answer.

She took a slow step back, lifting the envelope slightly. “Maybe I should just open it and see for myself.”

Liam moved so fast that she barely had time to react.

One second, he was standing there. The next, he was in front of her, grabbing her wrist.

Aurora s*ck*d in a breath.

His grip was firm, warm, but not painful. But it wasn’t his hand that made her freeze.

It was his eyes.

Up close, they weren’t just dark. They were stormy, intense, filled with something dangerous.

Aurora’s heart slammed against her ribs.

For the first time since meeting him, she realized how powerful he really was.

“You don’t want to play this game with me,” Liam said quietly.

Aurora licked her lips, ignoring the sudden dryness in her throat.

“Why not?” she shot back. “Afraid I’ll win?”

Liam exhaled sharply, his fingers tightening slightly around her wrist.

“Afraid you won’t,” he murmured.

Aurora’s breath hitched.

The way he said it—slow, deliberate, with a warning buried under the words—it sent a shiver down her spine.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then, Liam’s grip loosened. He didn’t let go completely, but he also didn’t pull away.

His thumb brushed against the inside of her wrist.

Aurora stiffened.

Not because it felt good. Because it felt like he was testing her.

And she refused to let him think she could be tested.

Before he could react, she yanked her hand away and took a step back.

Liam’s expression didn’t change, but there was something knowing in his gaze.

Like he had just figured something out about her.

Aurora hated that.

“Stay out of my business,” he said, voice calm but firm.

She tilted her head. “Can’t promise that.”

Liam let out a low chuckle, shaking his head slightly. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re not as untouchable as you think,” she shot back.

For a split second, something flickered across his face. Something unreadable.

Then he smirked again. “That’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart.”

Aurora clenched her jaw. That stupid, arrogant smirk.

She wanted to wipe it right off his face.

Before she could say anything, a loud bang echoed through the house.

Both of them turned.

Edward Blackwood had just slammed the front door open, storming inside like a man ready for war.

Aurora’s stomach twisted.

He looked angry. More than usual.

His eyes were wild, his expression dark as he pulled off his coat and threw it onto the ground. His fingers twitched, like he was resisting the urge to hit something.

Or someone.

Aurora stepped back instinctively.

Liam, however, stayed completely still.

Their stepfather’s gaze flickered toward them, narrowing when he saw Liam.

“You,” he snapped.

Liam raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed.

“Me,” he said lazily. “Good morning, old man.”

Edward’s face darkened. “What the hell are you still doing here?”

Liam leaned against the wall, completely relaxed. “I live here. Unfortunately.”

Edward let out a sharp laugh, but there was no humor in it. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?”

Liam smirked. “I know I am.”

Aurora watched them carefully.

Something was wrong.

Edward’s anger felt… different today. Sharper. More unstable.

And then, she saw it.

A folder in his hand. A legal document.

Aurora’s blood ran cold.

Edward knew.

Her gaze darted to Liam, but he didn’t look surprised. He just sighed.

“So you finally found out,” Liam muttered.

Edward’s jaw clenched. “You little b*st*rd,” he growled. “You actually think you can come after me?”

Liam’s smirk vanished.

For the first time, his expression turned deadly.

“I don’t think,” he said. “I know.”

Edward took a threatening step forward, and Aurora’s stomach tightened.

This was bad.

She had seen how violent Edward could be. How easily his rage could turn physical.

But Liam didn’t move.

He just stared him down, completely unbothered.

Aurora had a terrible feeling about this.

She wasn’t sure who was about to throw the first punch.

But she knew one thing.

This house was about to become a battlefield.