Forty-Three
FORTY-THREE
LIAM
S he fell asleep in my arms, her body curled against mine. It’s exactly like life should be. I’ve been watching the slow rise and fall of her chest, mesmerized, almost overwhelmed. Having her here, next to me, feels like a privilege I don’t deserve, and the weight of it sits heavy in my chest. She’s too good for me. Too bright, too kind, too damn perfect.
But I’m not a selfless man. I’m not the kind of man who lets go of something this rare, this precious.
No, never.
I hate that she’s in this position. When I walked into her apartment and saw her face, part of me shattered into a thousand pieces. She looked completely helpless—vulnerable and lost. The tears that streamed down her cheeks gutted me. I felt so helpless and angry at myself for not shielding her from this in the first place.
The thought of losing her again, of her being pushed to the brink because of this mess, is unbearable. To think she might have felt even an ounce of doubt in herself because of those disgusting headlines or the whispers of people who don’t know her worth—it’s enough to send my blood boiling.
For a split second, I contemplated going out and finding every single person responsible for any pain she’s ever felt, making them feel the weight of my rage. But that wouldn’t fix this. It wouldn’t ease her suffering. And for this woman, I’d do anything. I’d break myself, torture myself, if it meant she could find her way back to happiness.
But tonight, she’s here. She’s safe in my arms. And I swear to God, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Starting with the person responsible for all this. Him, I will find.
I press a kiss to her forehead and gently untangle myself from her. Carefully, I place her head down on her pillow. She lets out a soft sigh, her arms reaching out, searching for something—searching for me. I grab another pillow and slide it into her arms before she wakes up and finds me gone. She clings to it immediately, hugging it to her chest.
“I love…” she murmurs, her voice soft and hazy with sleep.
Wait, did she just say, I love? My heart skips a beat. I lean down, my lips close to her ear. “What did you say? You love…what?” I whisper, but all she does is purse her lips, turning her back to me. Well, at least I tried.
I smile despite myself, pulling the blanket over her shoulder before grabbing my clothes. She didn’t say it back earlier. I didn’t wait for it. I just kissed her, then dragged her to her room to sleep.
And now, watching her, I know I’ll wait as long as it takes.
Fully dressed, I take one last look at her sleeping peacefully, and then I head out into the cool night.
The cab pulls up to Jared’s apartment building—an upscale, modern complex that reeks of the arrogance he embodies. Of course, he can afford a place like this when he steals jobs and sells private photos. The rage burns in me again as I march toward the entrance.
A man with white hair, probably in his sixties, sits behind the front desk. He wears a neatly pressed uniform, and his name tag reads “Tony.”
“Sir, may I help you?” His voice is polite but wary as he looks me over.
“I’m a friend of Jared Miller,” I say smoothly, slipping into an easy, practiced tone. “I was supposed to land this morning, but my flight got delayed. Finally made it, though.” I say casually, holding up the bag in my hand as if to confirm my story. It’s the perfect touch—I went by home earlier to grab it, knowing it would sell the illusion of someone fresh off a flight. The details matter, after all.
Tony frowns slightly. “Mr. Miller hasn’t mentioned expecting a guest.”
“It’s a surprise.” I pull out my phone, opening a gallery of photos. Every single one is of me and my ‘best friend’ Jared—childhood snapshots, graduation pictures, even recent ones from a supposed trip to Jared’s hometown. Of course, every last one of these photos is fake. Earlier, when Sophie had just fallen asleep, I messaged Micah. He has a guy for everything, and within the hour, I had a full portfolio of fabricated memories with Jared. Technology is a marvel.
Tony adjusts his glasses and peers at the screen. He studies the photos for a long moment before nodding, his face softening.
“He didn’t tell me he had such a close friend visiting,” he says with a small smile.
I glance at the wall behind him, where a cluster of framed photos catches my eye. It’s a gallery of what I assume are his children and grandchildren—a big, happy family. Something about it almost tugs at my conscience. Almost. But then I remember Sophie’s tears, her career on the line, and the photos Jared sold.
No. No hesitation. No mercy.
Tony picks up the phone to buzz Jared’s apartment. “I’ll let him know you’re here, sir.”
I plaster on a pleasant smile, though inside, I’m a volcano waiting to erupt. “Thank you. Tell him Stephan is here.”
Of course, I looked up his real best friend. Stephan, lives in Jared’s hometown, a father of twins, and just as revolting as Jared himself. Micah dug up everything I needed to know, including the fact that Stephan often visits New York under the pretense of ”catching up” with Jared. In reality, the man uses those trips to cheat on his wife. Birds of a feather, I guess.
Tony nods, picking up the phone and dialing Jared’s apartment. His voice is calm, almost kind. “Mr. Miller? There’s a Stephan here to see you.”
There’s a pause, and I can just imagine Jared scrambling on the other end, trying to process why his dear friend would show up unannounced. He listens for a moment, then nods. “Of course, sir. I’ll send him up.”
He hangs up and turns back to me with a polite smile. “Mr. Miller says you can go right up. Apartment 14B.”
“Thank you, Tony.”
As I step into the elevator, the mask of pleasantries falls away. My jaw tightens, my fists clench, and the air seems heavier with every passing second. By the time I reach the fourteenth floor, I’m ready to explode.
Jared Miller has no idea what’s coming.
I knock on his door, my finger strategically covering the peephole. The sound of the lock fumbling is accompanied by Jared’s annoying muttering.
“Stephan, you annoying bastard. Why didn’t you—” His words trail off as the door swings open and his face freezes in shock.
“Surprise, motherfucker.” My voice is low, controlled, but it carries the weight of every ounce of fury boiling inside me.
I take a step into his apartment, and he instinctively takes one back. We dance this silent tango, him retreating while I advance until the door closes behind me. Now it’s just the two of us.
“You didn’t think I’d forget about you, did you?” I say, my harsh smile sharp enough to cut glass. “You didn’t think I’d let you ruin Sophie’s career, again, I might add. Oh no, Jared. That’s not how this works.”
I move closer, forcing him back until his spine meets the wall. Perfect.
“Liam, I?—”
“Shut up.” My hand shoots out, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him against the wall. His head thuds against it, his hands instantly clawing at mine.
I grip him firmly, holding him there, watching as panic overtakes him. It feels good seeing him like this. For a split second, I consider tightening my grip. Just enough to make him feel what it’s like to be completely at my mercy. Just enough to make him pay.
But then, Sophie’s voice echoes in my mind. Don’t do this, Liam. You’re better than this.
Her voice pulls me back, grounding me in a way nothing else can. My fingers loosen, and I step back, letting him drop to the floor like a sack of potatoes. He gasps for air, rubbing his neck and looking up at me with a mixture of fear and anger.
“Are you insane?” he chokes out, his voice raw and ragged. “You almost killed me!”
I roll my eyes. How dramatic can a person be?
“If I wanted you dead, you would be. Thank Sophie for that, by the way, you piece of shit. Because the only reason you’re still breathing is because of her.” I say, my tone deadly. Okay, I’m overdoing it, I would never kill him. I’m not a murderer, but he doesn’t know that.
“It wasn’t only me!” he blurts out, his voice cracking.
My brow furrows, and I take a slow, menacing step closer. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Jared swallows hard, his back pressed to the wall like he wants to melt into it. “It was Lilly,” he admits, voice trembling. “She told me you’d be in the spa with Sophie. She’d seen the way you looked at her in the office. She heard you together and she presumed you’d hook up with her in the Spa too. In her head, once the news came out, you’d realize Sophie was just using you, and you’d leave her.”
I crouch down fast, and Jared flinches. My face is inches from his, my voice deadly calm. “Did she think I’d leave Sophie for her?” I let out a cold, humorless laugh. “And then what, Jared? Make you head of interior design for all our hotels?” My laugh grows sharper, more biting. “Did you both sit around plotting how to climb the ladder while throwing Sophie to the wolves?” My voice rises, and my fist collides with his cheekbone with a sickening thud. Jared’s head snaps to the side, and he crumples further to the floor, groaning as he holds his face. The fear in his eyes is palpable, and for a fleeting moment, I wonder if he’s finally grasping the depth of his mistake.
“You’re pathetic,” I spit, standing to my full height. “Both of you. But let me make one thing very clear.” My voice drops to a low growl, “You’ll never touch Sophie’s career, her name, or her reputation again.”
Jared pales, his lips trembling. “I swear—I didn’t?—”
”Shut up.” My voice cuts through his pathetic attempt at an excuse. “You had your chance to think this through, and you blew it. Enjoy whatever corner of obscurity you crawl into next because your time here is done.”
He nods frantically, his fear palpable as he clutches his injured cheek. “I swear I’ll never mention her again.”
“Good.” My voice drops to a deadly whisper. “Because I will ruin you. Just like I promised. Your name, your reputation, your future—everything. I’ll destroy it all without breaking a sweat.”
Without waiting for a reply, I turn and head for the door. Just before I step out, I glance back, pinning him with a gaze as cold as steel. “And Jared? Consider yourself fired. You’re never working in this city again—or any city that isn’t some little forgotten town on the outskirts of nowhere.”
The door slams shut behind me, the sound reverberating like a final verdict. I lean against the hallway wall for a moment. My hands tremble slightly, the adrenaline still coursing through me, but it’s starting to fade.
One breath in and one out.
Lilly’s next. She’s getting fired too. She and Jared can move to the same damn village for all I care—as long as they stay as far away from Sophie as humanly possible.
Hell, leaving the country would be even better.
I’ll deal with Lilly later.
But right now? It’s time to go home to my fiancée.