All Chapters of Belong with them: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Ryan“Okay, so we’ve resolved all these bugs?” I leaned forward, addressing my team with a hint of urgency in my voice. The beta phase of our project was nearing its end, and there was no room for error.“Yes, sir,” Mr. Martin confirmed, his brow glistening with a sheen of sweat. Most of the team, including Paula, our project lead, had been working tirelessly to iron out the kinks. “We’ve also made significant progress on the client reports and deliverables. We’ll be fully prepared for the launch.”“Keep me updated.” I nodded.“Mr. Crawford,” Caine interrupted, sliding a stack of documents across the table. “These need your signature.”He turned the pages as I took a cursory reading and signed them absentmindedly. My sleep-deprived eyes stung with exhaustion, a consequence of the restless night I’d spent haunted by thoughts of Amy standing alone on the gazebo.Her sorrowful eyes and melancholic smile had etched themselves into my memory, igniting an unexpected urge within me to ease he

Ryan Sinking into the plush leather chair of my home office, frustration and concern swirled in my mind like a storm. Caleb’s impulsive act gnawed at my thoughts. Fuck, what reckless demon had possessed him? And how would Amy react to his stupid move? All I wanted to do was talk to Amy and show her... A firm knock on the door snapped me out of my reverie. As I glanced up, there stood Amy, her demeanor tentative, lips caught between her teeth. “Hmm.. Mr. Crawford...” she began, but I cut her off. “Let me stop you there, Amy,” I said, rising from my chair and stuffing my hands into my pockets. “I’m sorry for what Caleb did. He had no right to pull that stunt. I’ll talk to him about it.” Amy’s eyes widened fractionally, but she remained silent, her expression inscrutable. Pressing on, I continued, my voice heavy with remorse. “And as for the competition, you needn’t feel obligated to participate. I’ll speak with Ms. Perry and sort things out with Liam. I apologize for the chaos Cale

Ryan With a frustrated huff, I grew more irritated as their stalling tactics became obvious. “Fuck this, just get us home. Liam is sleeping,” I bit out, my teeth clenched to prevent any further outbursts. “Ryan,” Amy’s voice was soft but firm, gently cradling the sleeping Liam in her lap. “Watch your language.” “Sorry,” I murmured, shooting a warning glance at my brother through the rear-view mirror. The scoundrel smirked. “Why the rush, oh mighty winner?” he taunted, prompting a chuckle from Mark. “Do you need a fu-ducking,” making a sorry face at a glaring Amy and then looking back at my stupid brother, “dissertation on why my child should not sleep in the back seat of your car?” I snapped. “Nah,” Mark chimed in, turning his attention back to Amy. “So beautiful, care to join me for dinner? I...” “Drive us home, or rest assured, I’ll provide your squeeze of the month with your home address, personal phone number, and a few choice tidbits she could use against you. And Caleb, do

RyanI sighed and dropped into my chair, giving myself exactly one minute to breathe.Mark has been at the London office for a few days handling an audit, and as much as I would never say this out loud, it is harder to manage everything alone than I let on. I did send him a text saying Project Apex was going well, though. To which that idiot replied that he missed me too. I did not respond to that.Caine knocked and stepped in, breaking my train of thought. "Mr. Crawford, you have a twelve o'clock with the Almani project investors, followed by a one o'clock with the Project Apex team for the latest update." He cleared his throat. "Also, Ms. Chen called to remind you about the rainforest fundraiser gala on Saturday."I looked at him. "You know I don't attend those things. That's Mark's department."I stood and rubbed my forehead, trying to ease the tension that had taken up permanent residence there. I had been running on almost no sleep since the Apex deadline started closing in. Amy g

RyanThe moment Amy and I walked through the door, all I saw was Liam. He was standing just near the door, still in his school clothes, eyes red and puffy, waiting. Like he was too worried about us not coming back to move away from the door.Something in my chest cracked open.Amy let go of my hand and crossed the room, running to him in three steps. She sank to her knees and pulled him into her arms. He grasped her so hard that she actually stumbled back a step. I caught her shoulder without thinking."It's okay, baby," she whispered in his ear, rocking him. "I'm here. We are right here." He was still crying. Small, quiet sobs that were somehow worse than loud ones. I turned to Jim. He saw my face and took a visible step back, gulping."You are fired," I said, my voice rising. "Caine will handle the formalities. You do not come back to this house, you do not show your face to me, or I swear to God—" I stopped, jaw clenched, because Liam was right behind me sobbing and I was barely