All Chapters of HIS LIABILITY : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The chilled Los Angeles morning crept in quietly, broken only by the shrill sound of my alarm and the soft chirping of birds outside the window."Turn off the fucking alarm!" my sister shouted, shoving a pillow over her ears.Of course we shared the same room. I hated it,every single day.I rolled my eyes, silenced the alarm, and slipped out of bed. Thanksgiving had arrived, and that meant chaos. Family members would be trooping in soon, and my mom would insist on doing everything herself unless I stepped in.I went straight to the living room, where she greeted me with a warm smile that never quite reached her eyes. Together, we began putting things in order, straightening cushions, wiping surfaces, arranging the room as if perfection could somehow hold everything together.Then I saw it.My parents wedding photo sat proudly on the shelf, frozen in a moment that no longer existed. The sight of it made something twist painfully in my chest."Ma," I said softly, unable to hold it in, "

I woke up with a migraine, the kind that felt personal like punishment. My skull throbbed as if something inside it was trying to claw its way out. I reached for the other side of the bed, half asleep, half hoping Susan would still be there. My hand met cold sheets. Of course. I forced myself upright and dragged my body into the kitchen. Susan stood by the counter, unbothered, brewing tea like the world hadn't nearly imploded the night before. "Hey, alcoholic," I muttered, throwing her a glare. "You almost got us in trouble last night." I replied "Whatever." That smirk flashed through my mind again the stranger from the club, watching like he knew things about me I hadn't said out loud. It lingered, irritating and unwanted. "Jerk," I said under my breath. Susan turned slowly. "Was that for me?" she scoffed. I shook my head. I had never met anyone who could turn chaos into entertainment the way Susan did. "We need to call Jonathan," I said. "We have to tell him about this who

Diane's POV Dinner did not end. It dragged. The silence sat heavy at the table, pressing against my chest until breathing felt deliberate. I kept my gaze lowered, my fork tracing meaningless patterns through food I had no intention of eating. My thoughts spiraled, each one darker than the last. What was he doing here? Why did his presence feel intentional? I lifted my head slowly, as if bracing myself. He was still watching me. Not with curiosity. Not with politeness. But with a calm, unsettling patience as though he had already decided something and was simply waiting for the right moment. His eyes didn't flinch when they met mine. The faint smirk from the club returned, restrained but unmistakable. Heat crept along my spine. I looked away, my fingers tightening until the silverware trembled slightly in my hand. When dinner finally ended, relief came sharp and rushed. We left immediately. The drive home passed in a tense silence, streetlights flashing across the window lik

Diane’s POVMonday came in like any other day.Nothing dramatic. Nothing new. Just time moving forward, indifferent to whether I felt prepared to move with it.I accepted it the way I had learned to accept most phases of my life quietly, without demanding meaning from it too soon. This job, this building, this version of myself didn’t feel permanent, but it felt deliberate. Like a door I had stepped through without fully seeing what waited on the other side.The executive floor was already awake when I arrived. Voices stayed low. Movement was purposeful. Even the air felt disciplined, stripped of warmth. I reached my desk early, not out of ambition, but habit. Early mornings gave me space to settle before expectations crowded in.Eddie West was already in his office. Through the glass wall, I could see him standing at his desk, jacket off, sleeves rolled, posture rigid, attention absolute. He didn’t look up. He didn’t need to. This was a man who assumed the world would adjust itself a

Diane’s POV Days passed. Wednesday folded into Thursday. Thursday into Friday. Saturday morning came fast too fast and I woke up with the uncomfortable realization that my weekend had already been claimed by everything except rest. I moved on autopilot. Laundry. Shower. Coffee. A half-hearted attempt at cleaning my apartment before stuffing a small overnight bag with clothes and heading to Susan’s place. When I arrived, the door swung open dramatically. “Well, well,” Jonathan said, leaning against the frame like he’d been expecting a scene. “My girlfriend arrives.” I dropped my bag and smirked. “Hey, boyfriend.” Susan burst into laughter from the couch. “Oh this is already chaotic. I should give you two space.” Jonathan placed a hand over his chest. “Please. Respect our relationship.” Susan threw a pillow at him. Jonathan had the same free spirit as his twin effortless charm, careless laughter, zero hesitation. Being around them felt light. Uncomplicated. Safe.