I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself as if I didn't recognize the girl looking back.The red dress clung to my body, hugging my curves. The tiny beads glowed when I moved. It stopped right at my thigh, short but not trashy. I looked like one of those girls I always scrolled past on Instagram, thinking, "God, I wish I looked like her."But tonight, I looked so fucking hot.My hair was styled into a curly puff at the back, with a few tendrils hanging softly around my face. I'd done my makeup by myself. Nude lips, soft lashes, gold liner on my eyelids. I didn't want to go overboard, but even I had to admit... I killed it.I held my breath and stepped back from the mirror.This was it. Then I walked out.The sound of my heels echoed down the hallway, light and sharp. And when I started down the stairs, I didn't pause. I knew Liam was down there, I could feel his presence before I saw him.And there he was. Standing by the base of the stairs, dressed in a black suit with no ti
I didn't know what I expected when he said we were going out, but a shopping mall definitely was not on my list. Liam didn't say much on the drive. Just played music low and kept glancing at me like he was trying to read my thoughts.He pulled up in the underground parking lot and stepped out first, rounding the car to open my door like he was my chauffeur or something. I didn't say thank you. I just stepped out and followed him inside, still trying to figure out what the hell he was up to.We walked into a boutique that screamed money. One of those places where the air smells like roses and judgment. The saleswoman came over immediately, smiling too widely."Hello guys," she said, almost purring. "You're welcome. What should I help you with?”Liam looked around. "I need dresses. Something classy. Something that fits her well."She turned to me, looking me up and down like I was a puzzle she was dying to solve. I stiffened, but I didn't say a word."Right this way, Ma’am," she said an
Bella’s POV.I crept down the stairs, one foot in front of the other, still feeling the tremor in my legs from last night's tears. My head was pounding more from my own thoughts than anything else. When I reached the bottom step, I froze.Liam stood by the tall window, phone pressed to his ear. The late morning sun painted his profile in gold, and for a split second, he looked less like a captor and more like some dark, dangerous dream. Damn, why was I thinking about him like that?He didn't notice me at first. He was deep in conversation, brow furrowed, lips moving in a low whisper. I watched the line of his jaw clench, the way his free hand curled into a loose fist at his side. He looked good, too good. My stomach did that weird flip-flop thing I hated.Then I took another step and the floor creaked. He stopped mid-sentence, his phone dropping to his side.He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto mine. That stare sucked all the air out of me. His gaze skimmed from the top of my head
Bella’s POV.I don't know how long I cried.Maybe hours. Maybe all night. I don't even know when I moved from the floor to the bed. All I knew was that the pain didn't stop. Not even for a second.She really said it. She told Liam she didn't care if I died. That I was just a fat, useless child. She said those mean things about her own child.I pressed my face deeper into the pillow, letting out a shaky breath. My eyes were already swollen. My chest felt like it was being crushed. And my mind... God, my mind was spiraling.I thought I was used to her insults. I thought nothing she said could break me anymore. But this... this cut through me in a way I couldn't describe. She gave birth to me. She was supposed to protect me, love me, and fight for me. Not stand there and tell a stranger that I was worthless.I bit my lower lip until I tasted blood. I couldn't stop crying.Maybe it was me. Maybe I was the problem. Maybe if I were skinny and perfect, she would've loved me. Maybe if I looke
Liam’s POV.I pulled up to the massive gate and rolled the window down.A security man stepped out of the small booth beside the entrance, one hand resting lazily on his holster. He eyed me like I was already a trouble. "Who are you? What do you want?""I'm here to see Mrs. Aurora," I said, keeping my voice calm.The man raised a brow. "You have an appointment?""Tell her I want to talk about her daughter," I said calmly.That made him pause. His expression shifted slightly. He picked up the walkie-talkie, spoke a few words, then nodded toward the gate. "Drive in."The iron gate creaked open, slow and heavy. I drove through and parked in front of the house. It was grand, polished, screaming money. But I wasn't impressed.Two other guards came up and signaled for me to follow them. I kept my hands in my pockets and walked in like I owned the place.The living room was quiet, too quiet. Aurora sat on a cream-colored couch with her legs crossed, sipping wine with one hand and flipping th
Liam’s POV.I stood by the dining table, staring at the damn roses like they could talk back and tell me if I was doing the right thing.Candles were lit, with soft glows everywhere. Two plates, clean silverware, and folded napkins. Everything was set. It was not too much though. I didn't want to overwhelm her. I just wanted her to feel... safe.I looked down at the flowers in my hand. Fuck. What the hell was I doing?I set the bouquet down beside her plate and stepped back. My jaw clenched as I shoved my hands into my pockets, pacing a little in front of the table like an idiot on a first date. I wasn't good at this. I never did this.Apologies weren't my thing. Sweet gestures? No. Not me. That wasn't the man people feared. But right now, I wasn't trying to be feared. I was trying to fix something I broke.She hasn't said a word to me since this afternoon. She didn't even look at me when we got home. She just stormed into her room and shut the door. And then she cried. I heard it. Th