One night with my brother inlaw

Liana’s POV(2 days earlier ……)I wasn’t supposed to be here—and definitely not like this. Puffy eyes. Smudged makeup. An expired gym pass and a trail of broken pieces. Matteo should never find out Matteo made sure the world saw a picture-perfect marriage. He didn’t care what happened behind locked doors—as long as no one ever questioned it.”But here I was, sitting cross-legged on cold concrete beside the door of a gym I couldn’t legally enter, pretending like I wasn’t about to lose what little sanity I had left.The early morning air stung my skin, damp with June’s indecision between spring and summer. I kept my head down, hoodie drawn, as if that Could hide the fact that I’d cried like a child in my car for fifteen whole minutes before dragging myself here.Mornings like this, when reality felt like a nightmare, I ran.A nightmare that once felt like a blessing. I would still remember that day I said those wedding vows. It felt like my best decision. But now I don’t even know what

Liana’s POVTen minutes passed. I checked my phone, paced a little. Tried not to feel like a fool.Then I saw him Black joggers. Dark tee. Broad shoulders moving with quiet control. He crossed the street like the world belonged to him. His eyes barely skimmed the area before landing on the gym entrance.I straightened. I had been here since before six, I was too excited to get to the gym. I stood here pretending I wasn’t waiting for anyone.He didn’t glance my way. Not at first. Just kept walking.I stepped closer, heart tapping hard against my ribs. “Hey,” I said, softer than I meant to.His gaze shifted. Slightly surprised. But he said nothing. Just swiped his card and held the door open.I hesitated for a beat, then stepped inside. “Thanks,” I murmured.He didn’t respond. Just walked in behind me.I headed toward the dumbbells at first, hoping movement would calm the buzz in my head. It didn’t.Then I saw him again, not far. He looked lighter today. Less tense. There was a rhythm

Liana’s POVGasping, I felt his hands glide over my breasts, slow, reverent, maddeninngly familiiar. A shiver ran through me as warmth pooled between my thighs, desire pulsing beneath my skin. My hips arched instinctivelly, guided by hands that weren’t truly there.His touch lingered, featherlight. Fingers traced the curve of my breasts, ignitiing sparks in their wake. A moan escaped my lips, soft, involuntary.“Maxwell…” I whispered.I reached for him.But the illusion shattered.Morning light poured through the blinds, cruel and sterile. My fingers closed around empty air. He wasn’t here.Of course he wasn’t.I sat up, heart hammmering, sheets twisted around my legs. My nightgown clung to sweat-damp skin, nipples taut beneath the thin fabric, aching with unfulfillled need. I presssed trembling hands over my chest, willing the desire to passs, but the heat wouldn’t leave.Because last night hadn’t just been a dream. It was a memory. A mistake.One I swore I would bury.I slipped out

Liana – POV“Oh my God…”The words broke from my mouth, brIttle and tremblIng. The sound startled even me, sharp In the thIck, suffocatIng aIr. For a moment, I dIdn’t recognIze my own voIce.They were gone.Or at least, out of the room.But It dIdn’t feel empty. The aIr stIll crackled, charged, as though the walls themselves had soaked In the vIolence and refused to let It go.I turned.And froze.Matteo hadn’t left.He was leaned In close to MarIa—too close. HIs head tilting toward her, mouth near her ear, breath a venomous whIsper. Whatever he was sayIng, It wasn’t for me. But the look In her eyes told me enough: It was threat. A promIse of what happens when lines are crossed.Then her gaze snapped to me. Hard. Urgent.Her steps quIckened, carryIng her closer, and a chill raced up my spIne. My body tensed, already bracIng, as though I expected the blow to come from her.“Ma’am,” she saId softly, words careful, measurIng. “SIr Matteo wants you to prepare hIs brother’s room.”The word

“Madam, It’s Steph.”The voIce was muffled through the door at fIrst, soft but persIstent.“Please… should we go on preparIng the food, or… or can you do it yourself?”I blinked rapidly, draggIng myself out of the fog of my own thoughts. Steph. My maId. She and Maria are The only familiar, steady presence in this house. The only people who hadn’t yet turned Into a stranger.“Yes,” I croaked, then cleared my throat. “I’ll joIn you in a minute. I’ll prepare the food myself.”A pause on the other sIde. Then a hesItant, “Alright, Madam.”Her footsteps retreated.I pressed both palms agaInst my face. My skIn was clammy, damp with the weIght of nerves. Pull yourself together, Liana. You can’t keep hiding In thIs room, replaying everything like a broken record. At some point, you’ll have to face him—Maxwell.And maybe today was that day.Not because I wanted to. But because I couldn’t keep draggIng this fear behInd me like a chaIn. If I avoided hIm forever, It would only get worse.It’s eIth