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
Aria’s POVSophia stormed into Liam’s office, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, the tension rising with each step. I watched from the chair across from Liam’s desk, arms folded, knowing exactly what was coming."Liam," she began, her voice high-pitched, almost whiny, as she rounded the c
Aria’s POVBitter thoughts of Markus made me feel sick, but I pushed those dark feelings away and turned off the television again. With Markus gone, he could never hurt anyone ever again. He couldn’t haunt or stalk us.Liam might have already made his choice, but at least the children and I would be
Liam’s POV“Isabelle, I just need to talk to Aria,” I said, pleadingly. “If you just tell me where she is –”“Then you’ll continue to bother her.” Isabelle, arms crossed, glared at me in open disgust and distain. “She told me what she saw. And it makes me feel a thousand times worse, for having told
Liam’s POVI took my own car to Mr. Peters’ office. Several times on the route, I nearly turned and drove home instead, desperate to talk to Aria. Once, I stopped so long at a red light that Joanna called me on the phone.“Your father is dead, Liam. You have an obligation to him now. Aria will still
“I’m so sorry,” Isabelle said, her face downtrodden, her own make staining streaks down her face. We must have looked like quite the pair. It’d be laughable if my heart wasn’t so very heavy. “I totally misread the entire situation. When I saw that ring…”“How could you think anything but what you di
Liam’s POV“I don’t care what you think, Joanna,” I said coldly. With everything going on, now she wanted to threaten me? Didn’t she realize that without Aria, I had nothing left to lose? “With Markus gone, I have no reason to stay in this relationship.”“We had an agreement,” Joanna said. Her anger
Aria’s POVI wasn’t ready to go home yet. Upset as I was, I worried what the kids would think if they saw me like this. I also had no idea how I was going to explain to Isabelle just how wrong she had been about all of this.So I told the cab driver to take me to the park, and there, I exited and pa
Liam’s POVI sat on a stone bench along the walkway, my mind in shock over what just happened.I’d risked so much trying to appease Markus with this fake proposal, and now I was going to lose it all. And with Markus gone, it hadn’t even been necessary.I should have waited this out, or fought harder
Aria’s POVI couldn’t trust my own eyes. There was no way, I thought, that Liam would betray me like this. Even when the evidence had been clearly laid out before me, in my heart, I didn’t want to believe it. Even now, seeing it here, I was ready to doubt.Yet, hearing his voice, there could be no m
Liam’s POVWith Joanna on my arm, we walked around the massive event ballroom, speaking directly with our guests. The mayor is in attendance, as are several prominent members of the city council. All of the news media owners are in attendance with their wives, including Chuck who gives me a smirk fr