บททั้งหมดของ - Familiar Stranger: บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

Sanjana POV Liam’s phone felt surprisingly heavy in my palm, so warm that it almost pulsed against my skin. I lifted my gaze to him, feeling utterly helpless as the flickering light from the small window caught the contours of his face—an ever-present blend of calm and concern that somehow steadied my racing heart. “I… I don’t remember his number,” I murmured again, my voice barely a whisper. How could I forget something so important? What kind of person forgets such important information at a time like this? The words tasted bitter on my tongue, like failure. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and lines of worry etched across my forehead like cracks forming in glass. If I could just think clearly… if I could just stop shaking… maybe I could fix this. With a sudden thump, I sank onto the floor near the window. The wooden boards were cold beneath me, their chill seeping through the thin fabric of my clothes. Snowflakes slipped in through the slight opening of the window,

Sanjana Pov Liam stretched out his hand, and I took it. He pulled me up, and together we started toward the road. What had seemed so distant and lost in the night was, in truth, quite near. In no time, we reached our rental car . The drive back to the house was painfully silent. The storm had cleared, leaving behind a world washed and clean, every tree, every slope, everything, till where your eyes can see, is shining under the pale winter sun. But inside me, the storm hadn’t ended yet. Liam kept his eyes on the road, his jaw clenched, his knuckle turned white from gripping the steering wheel tightly. I could sense he was rehearsing what to say when we reached home, but the words wouldn’t come that easily. Not after a night that had changed everything. The moment we stepped into the courtyard, the door flew open. Kabir stood there, his face pale, bags under his eyes from sleepless night, worry etched on his face, eyes blazing with anger. My uncle was not far away . His express

Liam POVSensing someone’s presence at the doorway, I asked Sanjana to keep talking while I tiptoed toward the door. The moment I opened it, I was surprised to see Kabir standing there. My gaze lingered on him, searching for any hint that he had been eavesdropping.“I came to remind you that we live in a rental,” Kabir said casually, hands tucked in his pockets. “We were supposed to pay the rent the day before yesterday. The landlord called to ask whether we’re continuing or dissolving the agreement.”His tone was calm—too calm. I tried reading his face for clues, but he looked relaxed and expressionless. Perhaps he was only here for the rent. I pushed my doubts aside.“Give me a second. I’m coming,” I said, turning back—only to find Sanjana behind me. Before I opened my mouth, she beat me up and spoke up.“I heard everything,” she said, tucking a loose strand behind her ear, a nervous habit I had memorised by now. “You should go with Kabir. I’m fine now.” She held the door as if urgi

Liam POVOh my God. She is their friend?How could she be in India? She was in New York the last time I checked.The tall, elegant woman standing there—her brunette hair tied neatly in a bun, draped in an emerald gown with delicate thread work at the hem—commanded the room without trying. Her blue eyes glistened like sapphires, the same eyes I had inherited from her. She stood tall with effortless confidence—an icon to many, a business tycoon, my mentor.The most beautiful woman in the world. My mother.But the real question wasn’t why she was here—it was how.How did she know these people?What was her connection with Music World?As far as I remembered, she hated music. That very reason was why she never wanted me to start a music company.I was so lost in decoding everything that I didn’t realise Mr. Parker—the owner of Music World—had extended his hand for a handshake. Kabir nudged me with his elbow, pulling me back to reality. Embarrassed, I quickly accepted the handshak

Liam POVA huge grin spread across my face when I saw Sanjana walking out of the café—but it was short-lived. My happiness faded when I realised my mother wasn’t with her.“Bro, you’re done for,” Kabir muttered from behind me. “Your mother isn’t with her. That means she hasn’t given her approval.”“Do you want me to die young?” I snapped under my breath. “If not, stop saying such things. Come, let’s ask San.”We walked toward her.“What happened?” Kabir blurted out. “Did Mrs. Turner disapprove of you?”I glared at him. He immediately held his ears, mouthing sorry.Before I could say anything, Sanjana spoke.“Liam… are you cheating on me with Rose?”The question hit me hard, but I composed myself instantly.“What? Why would I do that?” I said firmly. “Yes, I’m committed to Rose—but that’s purely for business. I don’t love her. There’s only one person I love, and that’s you.”I took her palm in mine and squeezed gently.“I don’t know whom to believe.” She whispered. Her voice trembled.