Liam's POVMorning light sipped through the window, soft and quiet. I opened my eyes slowly, feeling the warmth against my chest before realizing what it was. Stephanie was lying naked on me, her hair scattered across my shoulder, her breathing soft.For a while, I didn’t move. My mind went blank, and all I could think about was the night before.I had slept with her.Of all the things I thought could happen when Marcus brought Stephanie to my home, this was the last on the list. I was only trying to protect her. I told myself she needed a safe place, not someone else to complicate her life. Yet here I was, with her body pressed against mine.I slid out from under her carefully, not wanting to wake her, and sat at the edge of the bed. My head felt heavy. I looked back at her sleeping form and saw how young she looked. I knew she was past the legal age, but still, guilt clawed through me.I stood and walked to the window of the room, staring out at the quiet streets below. The world
Maria's POV “How do you think Luca would like me to prepare for him tonight?” I asked Louisa the moment I walked into the kitchen.She turned to me, her face wearing that familiar calm expression, but I saw the surprise in her eyes. For a second, she just stared at me before asking softly, “What happened? You look… excited.”“A lot happened,” I said with a shy smile.She folded her arms and leaned on the counter. “Why don't you start with the doctor’s test. You never told me what happened.”I sighed and sat on the stool beside the counter. “I’m sorry, Louisa. I should have told you earlier. I went for the test, and the doctor said I’m not pregnant. But he also said I can have children.”Louisa blinked once, slowly. Her face didn’t change much, like she wasn’t sure whether to smile or frown.“I was going to leave Luca,” I continued, my voice low. “But then he told me he needed me. He said it so sincerely, Louisa, and that night…” I smiled at the memory. “That night we made the greates
Luca’s POVThe room was still quiet by the Alex came back from seeing Deborah. I did not ask what happened because the look on his face already told the rest of the story.A part of me still expected some good news but no, what I heard on the phone was exactly what happened.Nothing else happened after.Alex looked at me when he entered, frozen for a moment as if unsure whether he should say something or leave me alone. I was lying flat on the bed, still dressed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.He stood there for a while without speaking. Then I sat up slowly and told him to get ready because we were going home.He looked surprised. “Now?”“Now,” I said.There was nothing to pack. We came here with nothing but the clothes we wore. He nodded and left the room.The drive back to the city stretched long under a quiet sky. The sun had fallen and the road lights were dim, throwing shadows across the windshield. Alex focused on the road, and I kept my gaze on the window, watching the dark field
Liam's POV There was only one room left. One bed.I stared at the hotel clerk for a second, thinking maybe she’d made a mistake. But she hadn’t. I glanced at Stephanie beside me, and she looked calm, almost amused.“That’s fine,” she said before I could even react.When we got to the room, I told her I’d sleep on the couch. She didn’t argue. Just nodded quietly, took off her shoes, and sat on the bed.For a while, I just stood there, not knowing what to say. The silence was thick, like it was waiting for someone to break it.“I’m sorry,” I said finally.She looked up. “For what?”“For earlier,” I replied, my voice low. “For what I said at the mall. I shouldn’t have said that. I was angry.”Stephanie smiled faintly, though her eyes didn’t match the expression. “You don’t have to apologize, Liam. You said what you felt.”“I didn’t mean it the way it sounded,” I said. “I’m just trying to protect you.”“I know,” she said, turning her gaze away. “But you still think I was stupid.”I didn’
Luca's POV After the meeting with the lawyer, we finished whatever I was needed for, the rest was for the lawyer and the young entrepreneurs. Alex and I were back on the road again. The city lights slowly faded behind us as the car sped down the quiet highway. I sat on the passenger’s seat this time, watching the blur of trees and distant street lamps flash by. My mind was not on the road, though. I was actually thinking of Maria this time.Just last night, I believe I gave her the best night of her life. Made love to her like she was the only one. The excitement in her eyes last night, if only she knew where I was heading now. She'd surely hate me and leave without looking back.Not like I want to hurt her. Her smile, her breath against my skin. She had given me warmth, peace, love, and something I had not felt in a long time. But as much as I tried to hold on to that feeling, another face and feeling kept pushing its way into my feelings for Maria. Deborah McCarthy.The more I tri
Liam's POV I looked out the window. The sun was beginning to dip, painting the sky orange.“Stephanie,” I said, turning toward her. “Get ready. We should leave now.”She looked at me, surprised. “Now? I thought we were going later at night.”“It’s better we go now,” I replied. “The roads will be clearer, and we’ll have more time to relax before it gets too late. Moreover, we're going out of the city.”She hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. “Okay, fine. Give me a few minutes to round up.”I nodded and watched her disappear into the room. I changed my shirt, grabbed my car keys, and when she returned, I handed her a cap. “Wear this.”She took it from me, smiling like a child about to go on an adventure.“Alright,” I said, “a few rules before we go. You stay beside me the whole time, and if I say we leave, we leave immediately. Agreed?”“Yes, sir,” she said, giving a mock salute.“No arguments. We leave immediately, Stephanie.” I repeated, meaning every word.“And I understand.” She