Se connecter~Sandra~Liam wanted me to put on a show for his family tonight?Fine.I was going to give him, Ryan, and the entire fucked up family a ginormous performance none of them would ever live to forget.That was the plan!A few hours later, I held my chosen dress up against my body, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror.It was a vibrant, deep crimson dress. The fabric was silky, clinging tightly to every curve before falling all the way to the floor. The front had a low neckline, but the back was completely open, exposing my skin all the way down to my lower waist.I had styled my hair in sleek, glossy waves, and painted my lips with a dark, bold red lipstick.I looked breathtaking. But I also looked like a complete stranger.A wave of intense doubt suddenly washed over me. My hands started shaking as I smoothed down the silk over my hips.Maybe this is too much, I thought, my heart thumping nervously against my ribs. Maybe I’m overdoing it. This isn't who I am. I don't wear
~Sandra~“Sandra, what on earth is wrong with you today?!” Liam demanded, turning to me the moment Priya was gone. “You’re acting completely crazy!”I didn't answer him. I literally couldn't even look at his face without feeling like throwing up.I turned around, walked straight into our master bedroom, and slammed the heavy door shut, twisting the lock tight.“Sandra! Open this door!” Liam yelled, knocking hard on the wood.I sank down onto the edge of the bed, burying my face in my hands.“Look, I’m sorry about Ryan, okay?” Liam’s muffled voice came from the hallway. “He’s just a bitter asshole. That’s why he’s the black sheep of the family! That’s why nobody in the family wants anything to do with him! Just open the door please!”I ignored him, letting my tears fall freely into my hands.My mind was a chaotic, terrifying storm. What did Ryan mean when he said he’s always wanted me?Was it true? Or was it just cheap, toxic lust? Ryan was famous for hopping from woman to woman withou
~Sandra~“If you walk away from me now,” Ryan interrupted coldly, leaning close until his lips were inches from my ear, “I will walk straight into Liam’s office right now and tell him everything.”My eyes widened in horror. “What?”“I will tell him about our night together,” Ryan whispered ruthlessly. “I will tell him about your secret plans to divorce him. He will lock down every bank account, hire a team of ruthless lawyers, kick you onto the street with nothing, and ruin your reputation before you can even file a paper. You will be broke, homeless, and utterly destroyed.”I stood frozen against the wall, staring at Ryan in absolute horror. My pulse thundered in my ears, every breath coming in ragged, painful gasps.“How could you do this to me?!” My voice cracked, tears of pure fury burning in my eyes. “We had an agreement! You promised to help me get my freedom, not trap me!”Ryan didn't blink and the warmth in his eyes was completely gone, replaced by a dark, dangerous stillness.
~Sandra~Liam cleared his throat, visibly eager to get Priya away from Ryan.“Priya, we need to review those quarterly acquisition files right now,” Liam said stiffly, grabbing the leather folder from the table. “In my private office. Now.”“Of course, Liam,” Priya said smoothly, standing up and casting one last lingering glance at Ryan before following Liam down the hallway.I watched them walk away, my chest tightening with a mix of dread and burning anger. I knew exactly what they were going to do in that office.And I was not about to just sit and let it happen. But just I took a step to follow them, a heavy hand gently caught my wrist, and I turned to see Ryan standing behind me, his dark eyes serious.“Don't go over there, Sandra,” Ryan warned softly, his voice full of quiet caution. “Watching them will only bring you pain. You don't need to see it.”I looked at Ryan, forcing my expression to look submissive and agreeable.“You’re right,” I lied softly, looking down at the floor
~Sandra~Liam’s eyes narrowed as he glared at his stepbrother, but Ryan merely leaned against the wall, his hands casually shoved into his suit pockets, looking completely unbothered as he smiled at Liam.“Is that so?” Liam muttered, his gaze shifting back and forth.He clearly didn’t believe my excuse at all.Liam’s eyes remained locked on Ryan and me, with his brow furrowed in deep suspicion.My heart thundered against my ribs as I held my breath, praying my cover wouldn't blow.But then Liam stepped closer, his jaw tight as he glared past me and directly at his stepbrother.“Are you picking on my wife again, Ryan?” Liam demanded, his voice dropping into an angry sneer. “I know you’ve always been jealous of everything I have, but leave Sandra out of it. She’s too good to deal with your pathetic mind games.”I blinked in surprise. Liam actually thought Ryan was bullying me?Ryan let out a low, mocking laugh, taking a step forward until he towered over Liam. “Jealous of you, Liam? Pl
~Sandra~I turned around, with my heart hammering. Was that another mistress? I wondered bitterly. Did the fucker actually invite his whole harem over today?We were about to find out.Liam strode over to the front door and pulled it open, with annoyance clearly written all over his face.The moment the door swung wide, the temperature in the room seemed to plummet to absolute zero.Because standing in the hallway, impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, was Ryan, his brother.Ryan stood at 6'2", much taller than his brother, with his broad shoulders filling the doorway, his dark hair slightly unruly, and his dark eyes cold and completely unreadable. He carried an aura of effortless danger that immediately dominated the space.The minute I saw him, my heart slammed against my ribs and a gasping breath caught in my throat. Ryan?! What is he doing here?!The moment my eyes fell on him, memories of last night flooded back into my mind in a hot, dizzying wave.I felt his hands on







