My mind kept drifting back to the conversation with Logan and the implications of our arrangement.Later, I received a message from Liam, instructing me to bring the divorce papers and meet him. I had expected this meeting, but it still filled me with a sense of unease.When I arrived, Liam wasted n
Liam’s POV“What does he mean by that?” I asked, my eyes narrowing as I caught the odd phrasing in Joe’s words.The question hovered in the air, tension high between us.Aria didn’t hesitate. She stepped in quickly, her voice firm and decisive. “He mistook you for someone else.”“Mistook me?” I repe
Logan didn’t even flinch. His smirk remained, eyes glinting with a knowing gleam.“Why are you so angry? I thought you didn’t love her. Since you’ve chosen Sophia, why don’t you stop meddling in Aria’s life?”I stared at him, incredulous. “What choice? What does this have to do with Sophia?”“Enough
Aria’s POVLogan and I sat on the front steps of my house, the warm evening air settling around us. Joe was inside, playing with his toys, unaware of the heavy conversation that was about to unfold."If you want to transfer Joe to another school, I can help with that," Logan said, breaking the silen
His words hit me like a blow, leaving me momentarily speechless. I had always believed that if I tried hard enough, I could make up for Joe not having a father in his life.But Joe’s innocent question shattered that illusion. For a moment, I just sat there, struggling to find the right words.I coul
Aria's POVMy heart pounded in my chest, the sound almost deafening as I tried to regain my composure. Liam was too close, his presence overwhelming in the small fitting room.I couldn't let him see how rattled I was, not now, not ever. I needed him gone."Leave, Liam," I demanded, my voice low and
Liam’s POV The silence in the car was unbearable, but I kept my focus on the road. The tension between Sophia and me was at a breaking point, and I knew it was only a matter of time before she let her frustrations loose. “I saw you go into her fitting room!” she finally snapped, her voice shar
Aria’s POV "Mommy!" Joe’s voice broke through the air like a lifeline, and before I could react, he was in my arms, clutching me tightly. His small body pressed into mine, and I dropped to my knees, hugging him back with all the strength I had left. My breath caught in my throat, the fear of los
Liam’s POV The next few days felt like a dream. With the break off of work, Aria and I got to stay home full-time with the kids. In the morning, we woke up around the same time and spent mornings together, sipping coffee in the kitchen. When the kids got up, we worked together to make pancakes and
Aria’s POV Under the mistletoe, Liam moved in and I didn’t move away. Slowly, gently, his lips pressed against my own. I closed my eyes at once, enjoying the warm softness of him. The kiss itself was soft and sweet, not demanding or insisting, more a quiet gift of consent and compromise. I sighe
Liam’s POV Aria loved Christmas. She didn’t always show it, sometimes complaining about the crowds and the traffic and the hassle of fixing all the broken lights on the string. But after the work is done, when the lights are twinkling and the cookies are baked, when the gifts are wrapped under the
Liam’s POV That weekend, I stuck to my promise and took Joe and William Christmas shopping. This time of year, the stores were incredibly busy, so I held hands with both Joe and William as we perused the store, looking for the kids’ perfect gifts for Aria. As we walked along a shopping plaza, we
Aria’s POV Before I could get lost in my thoughts overmuch, Liam’s voice sounded out from the living room. “Aria! Come take a look at this.” I looked at Isabella again. “Go on,” she said with a grin. “Have fun. I’ll finish up here and join you guys when I’m done.” “You sure?” We always mad
Aria’s POV We drew so close that I could feel the warmth of Liam’s breath on my lips. Then, just as I felt the phantom touch of his kiss, the front door burst open. “Mom! Dad!” Joe called. Liam and I jumped apart. We were both a little out of breath. My cheeks were burning, and Liam seemed a b
“What is this?” I asked. “Where are the kids?” “The kids are with Isabella,” he said. He was smiling but it seemed shy. He kept dipping his head as if to hide it from me. “I thought we could have an evening to ourselves.” I wasn’t against it, but… “What’s the occasion?” “You’ve forgotten,” he
Aria’s POV At the office the next morning, I was still reeling from William calling me Mom. It had been such a special moment, I was sure it would stay with me forever, until the day I died. I hoped beyond hope, that he would still consider me his mother, even after he had grown up. At the very
I patiently waited for him to decide to tell me or not. “Aria…” he said, swaying hard left and then hard right. “Would you be mad if I called you Mom?” My heart leapt straight into my throat. I could have cried from the happiness that suddenly threatened to overwhelm me. Stepping closer to him