INICIAR SESIÓNAnya’s POVI stood in the middle of the one-room place and looked around. The walls were stained. The mattress on the floor had a yellow mark near the pillow. The sink dripped every few seconds. Outside the single window was a brick wall so close I could almost touch it. This was what was left. Everything I used to have was gone. The cars. The clothes. The house. Liam’s gates stayed closed no matter how many times I went there.My phone rang. I rolled my eyes and ended the call. It rang again. I ended it again. The third time the hospital name showed up. I answered with a sharp tone. “What?” Dad’s voice came through weak and full of blame. “You left me here. You haven’t come to see me in weeks. Do I have to remind you that I am your father? I deserve the ultimate respect and care. This is your fault. If you had kept Liam and not tried to ruin your sister, none of this would have happened.” I fumed. He was pissing me off. “Dad. I'm trying.”He kept talking like he was spotless
Nina’s POVHer phone lit up, and she started screaming. My spoon fell, and stew spilled all over the table. "What’s wrong?"Frida waved her phone at me. "It's my boss. He needs me to come to the office right away. Every day, I feel like he's trying to kill me. I want a job, but not the stress. Is that too much to ask?" She blinked, and I was speechless. She continued, "He says there's something wrong with the new design sets. An impromptu meeting. I have to go."I started pleading because I was absolutely sure she hadn't eaten anything. "Frida, you should eat first. At least take a few bites."She was putting on her boots and packing her things. "Sorry, boo. I don't have much time. I'll have something later."The door slammed. The sound of it locking echoed through the house. I stood in the empty kitchen, staring at my unfinished plate. "I guess I'm eating alone again."I put the food into a container, washed the dishes, and went to bed early. The apartment felt so big without Frida's
Nina’s POV Frida stared at me for a second. Her expression telling me I was silly for even saying that. But I couldn't help it. It was the truth. She shook her head and just as I walked to get something she hugged me from behind, her arms resting tightly on my waist. “Babe. You're my forever girl. You're never bringing me down. Don't say that about yourself again, ever. Do you hear me?”“Mmhmm.” I mumbled. “What did you say?” She squeezed tighter. “I can't hear you.”I mumbled again and I giggled as I felt her fingers rush up my skin, tickling in a fierce mode. “Stop it. Stop,” I begged but it was no use. “A proper answer now,” she laughed. “Okay. Wait. I'm going to pee if you keep doing that. Alright.” I chuckled. She let go for a moment to let me breathe and my lips moved. “Y…yes.”"There goes the power of the tickle. Since, that's settled. Care to explain to me when you got so damn brave?" she whispered.I leaned back into her. "I have to be. You have yelled at me enough. My e
Nina's POVI fumbled the key twice, my hands shaking like crazy. I got it in the third time and turned the knob and got in. The door shut and I locked it. Then I leaned my forehead against the wood and tried to remember how to breathe.Inside, the kitchen light was on. Garlic in the pan. Frida stood there with a spoon in her hand. She looked up and her face dropped. "Nina. What's wrong?"I crossed the floor. Stopped. My chest hurt from running. "I saw him."Frida put the spoon down. "Saw who?"I kept panting, my heart racing wild. "Liam."The word came out flat. Frida's eyes went wide. "Wait. Are you sure? Could've been someone else. It gets dark early now—""It was him." I cut her off. I shook my head. "At Bastian's. I was at the register. He was at a back table. He looked up and he said my name. He called me Nina. He recognized me."“Holy shit. That's impossible. Did…did he recognize you?” Frida cursed. "Did he come over?""He started to. I don't know. We…”“Calm down and explain
Liam's POVDay 14. Two bloody weeks. I had to endure two weeks without her. Packing my bags for the contract merger sign in Italy was a hell of a trip and I wasn’t supposed to be at a restaurant. Gideon dragged me. “You haven’t eaten a real meal in a week. It'll be twenty minutes. I promise then we can go back.”So here I was. At Bastian’s. Corner table. Back to the wall. The way Dad taught me. I wasn’t eating. I was scanning. Every woman with long hair. Every exit. Every black SUV that slowed down outside.The city felt too big without her in it.“Mr. Hampton?” The waiter set down water I didn’t ask for. “Are you—”“Fine.” My phone buzzed. It was another regular PI. There were no leads on her. I shoved it face down.That’s when I saw her.Across the restaurant, near the window. She had the same full hair but red and it wasn't bright. It gave a hint of copper when it was touched by the late afternoon sun. And her curly hair fell past her shoulders. She was turned halfway, talki
Nina's POVThe kitchen smelled like lemon and bleach. I was wiping the same spot on the table for the third time when the front door clicked. It was Frida. She came in with two grocery bags in one hand and a small padded envelope in the other. Her eyes went straight to me, then to the envelope.“The mail came in and I got them out,” she said, setting the bags down. “This one’s for you.”My hands stilled on the cloth. For me? Nobody knew I was here. Except…I dried my hands on my sweatpants and took them. It was light. My name wasn’t on it. Just _N. Hale_. A safe house name we’d picked two weeks ago.I ripped it open. First was a small box with earrings, hoops, and simple fake gold studs and a note in Frida’s handwriting. “For doctor visits. You deserve something pretty.”The next gift was a card and I opened it to see it was a booked appointment. A card from St. Mary’s Women’s Clinic. Antenatal Appointment. July 30th. 10:30 AM. Dr. Alvarez.“Thank you,” I whispered while she smil
Nina's POVWanna escape?" Frida’s question didn’t even land before I quickly accepted."Yes," I breathed, the word rushing out of me as my mood felt better instantly. "Yes, Frida, get me out of here.""I am shifting the car into drive so slip out through the side terrace by the gardens. The guards
Nina’s POV“Oh, Liam…” I whimpered as a tear rolled down my cheeks. I was holding a stolen photo I had taken months ago in my trembling hands as I stared out of the window.He was looking away from the camera with his perfect jawline accentuated by the dim lighting, as a smile tugged on those perfe
Nina’s POV"No! Absolutely not!" I screamed as I stood up so fast I almost fell. "You can't do this! I won't marry him like this!""Shut your mouth, Nina!" my father roared, his face twisting into a look of pure hatred."Liam, say something!" Anya wailed, leaping from the sofa with her face red and
Nina’s POVThe loud scream seemed to snap away the fog in my brain as I scrambled off the bed in panic. I got up so quickly, I stumbled and almost fell face flat on the bed, but I barely caught myself to see I was still wearing the dress from last night.Liam however, was completely naked as I drag







