Chapter 4

Liana

Just that morning and the world had turned upside down. My phone buzzed for the fifteenth time that morning. 

"Meet me at the Greenery mansion for breakfast. Don't be late." I had heard Tim say over the phone.

He hung up before I could respond. I heaved a deep sigh, took a shower and wore my best outfit. By the time I arrived at the breakfast table, it was clear that I was an enemy to the elite circles already. I was simply the girl who stood up to Liam Shedrach.

I tried not to care. I tried to focus on the croissant and coffee in front of me. But every glance from the staff reminded me of what had happened the night before.

Soon enough, Liam showed up in casual sweatpants and a t-shirt, looking like he just rolled out of bed. Except I didn't know anyone who looked this good rolling out bed. No wonder he was so obsessed with himself. 

I wanted to say something, anything, but before I could open my mouth, my mother appeared at the doorway. Her smile was begrudged and she didn’t look relieved; she looked worried. And that worry made my stomach twist.

“Liana, Liam,” she said, her voice laced with an edge I hadn’t heard before. “Tim wants to see you both in the study. Now.”

Every muscle in my body froze and my stomach sank. Tim Shedrach was the man who could make or break our lives in a single word. My mother’s expression left no room for argument.

The study was vast with dark heavy curtains drawn against the morning sun. Tim stood behind his desk, looking older and exhausted. I had never been this close to him before. Liam fell into a seat without being told. I stayed standing, fuming.

“Sit, Liana,” Tim said, his voice even. I obeyed, but the tension didn’t leave me. “You both know why you’re here,” he continued, steepling his fingers. 

“The dinner last night was filled with a lot of drama. And the reactions it caused has made me realize one thing. The wedding cannot proceed unless I’m convinced that you two can function as a family.”

I nearly choked on my own breath.

“You’re asking what?” I managed to croak.

“Exactly what it sounds like,” Tim said, his eyes flicking briefly to Liam, then back to me. “You will live in this mansion together for one month. You will interact as siblings. No arguments, no scandals. You must show me that you can coexist before the wedding moves forward.”

I blinked. The words coexist and siblings sounded foreign. And for one month? 

I opened my mouth to protest, but a hand on my arm froze me in place. I looked up to see my mom behind me. Her eyes were pleading.

“Liana,” she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. "Please."

My jaw clenched and I could feel my blood boiling.

But Liam didn’t even flinch. He just leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, a smirk curling at the corners of his lips.

“Sounds… manageable,” he drawled, his voice smooth and infuriatingly casual. “A month, huh? Shouldn’t be a problem.”

I wanted to punch him. Instead, I swallowed my words and turned on my heel, storming toward the door.

The first day in the mansion was hell. Liam watched my every move and treated me like a child who couldn't handle expensive things. He had to remind me every chance he got.

“Careful with that mug,” he said one time as he leaned lazily against the counter while I washed the dishes. “You’d spill and ruin the antique countertop. Wouldn’t want that, would we?”

“I can handle a mug, thank you very much,” I snapped, glaring at him over the rim of the sink.

“Just trying to help,” he said, voice light, teasing, like a cat circling a trapped mouse.

Then, I heard him approach me from behind, his steps tapping lightly against the tiled floor. In no time, he was standing behind me, his body pressed against my back while he trailed his hand over my bare arms.

"What are you doing?" I muttered, my voice shaky. I was trying as much as possible to avoid causing a scene. 

And with the maids gone, thanks to Liam insisting I did the dishes, I was alone with him. I felt small as he cornered me, stuck between his rigid body and the sink. 

His hand brushed my skin, trailing waking fire over my arms as he drew lower until his hands covered my hands. His were larger, swallowing my hands under the soap water. 

"Your father asked us to get along. That is the only reason why I'm watching you."

"Oh, please," he chuckled, his voice rumbling behind me. I gasped when he pressed his body tighter, making me feel every outline of him on my back. "You think I don't see the way you looked at me last night?"

"You bastard!" I tried to wiggle out of his hold, but he was too strong. 

He didn't attend military college for nothing. And to make matters worse, I was pretty slender and small compared to him. He was practically a giant. 

"Let me go, Liam."

"Or what?" He leaned closer, his lips brushing the nape of my neck. "Will you run to my father like the little pathetic squirrel that you've always been? Or will you stop being a coward and just admit you want this?"

Why was he doing this? Why was he suddenly talking like this? He's played this game before. He tricked me into thinking he was nice, and he wanted to be my friend, but the minute I reciprocated, he mocked me. 

If he thought he could do the same now, he'd be mistaken. "I don't want this. Can you let me go now?"

Surprisingly, he did. But after that, he laughed like he just hit a jackpot. I swirled and tried to look at the reason why he was laughing. I traced his gaze and mine landed on my chest. There, before his very eyes, were my nipples, standing taut of their own free will. 

"Oh, fuck." The dishwater had soaked my shirt and made it transparent and I hadn't realized it. "It...it doesn't mean anything." 

I crossed my arms, feeling my heart beat hard against my chest. My cheeks were inflamed as I turned around, hoping he'd just leave me alone.

"Okay," he tutted. "We have twenty nine days to go. Let's see how long you can keep pretending to be that saint from high school."