Chapter 58
A sack race!
m doomed
This was going to be a disaster–1 was sure of it.
I was never an athletic kid. Aside from bring sickly
y due to a
to all my allergies, I was also clumsy.
More than that, couldn’t even remember joining such activities Grandina was the only one who ever accompanied me to school events.
Even when my mother was alive, she never left the farm. She believed she wasn’t safe anywhere else.
Now, seeing Rylie and Ryker having so much fun—being happy just like any other kids–1 felt happy, 100,
1 snapped out of my revere when Rylir called me
“Let’s take a picture, Mommy” she shouted, proudly showing off all the awards and prizes she had won in the games with Liam
“Let me take some photos of you guys, Matthew volunteered.
“TII join—Daddy!” Toby chimed in, trying to squeeze into the picture.
“Later, you’ll join them. Well join them,” Matthew said, holding his son in place.
Toby poused. “Bad Daddy”
Mathew chuckled and ruffled his hair. “We’ll take a family picture later, too, son
Family picture?
With Liam Anderson?
“Daddy, you’re
e all sweaty! You should change into the shirt we give you first, so we all match!”
Right The shirt.
Liam hadn’t worn it. When he heard it was originally meant for Clavin, he only wore the cap Rylie had painted
car it 1 think you and Gavin have the same build,” I said casually glancing at his body.
“You should wear it
His eyes darkened as if he didn’t like what I had just said. “I don’t think so,” he muttered.
“Here, Daddy” Mathew tosed the shirt at Liam, who caught it effortlessly.
“I’ll take too long if you go to the bathroom. Just change here. Everyone’s busy, after all,” Mathew added.
My eyes widened.
“Are you out of your mind? There are kids here!” I complained, but Matthew just laughed.
“Come on, M. It doesn’t matter. Look over there, some dads are changing their clothes”
But Liam was different. With all his scars and tattoos, he wasn’t comfortable=
What
Why was I even thinking about that?–
did I care!
“I’ll just put it on for now, Liam said, slipping the clean shirt over his sweat–soaked one.
It fir him snugly, but not in a bad way. It only emphasized what was meant to be emphasized
I was wrong. He and Gavin weren’t the same size at all.
201 PUN
Chapter 58
“I change Liter,” he whispered, his voice low and close
I swallowed hard, feeling his warm birath. I stepped back away from him
Alright, everyone, let’s take the picture now? Matthew said, acting like a professional photographer, instructing the kids where to stand.
Kyle and Ryker rushed in front of Liam and me. Ryker held my hand, and Rylie held Liam’s,
Lamond on my ather side
Too close
“Come on, Mia, smile?” Mathew teased, and I was really close to kicking him.
He just wouldn’t stop teasing me about Liam
“Daddy you have to put your arms around Mommy! That’s how family pictures are taken, right, Uncle Matthew?
“Such a smart little girl That’s right, Rylief”
I nearly choked and couldn’t help but glare at Matthew, who just laughed.
Come on, guys, closer!”
“Let’s just get this done, Mia Liam whispered, wrapping his arm around my
my waist and pulling me closer
I forced myself to smile at the picture as Matthew started snapping shots of us.
“You look teme. Is it because of the sack race!”
“Stw up, Str.” I answered, griting my teeth.
you have me
Don’t worry, you
My pulse raced when I felt his breath on my neck as he leaned down. “You’re too close.. can you
“Daddy, carry me? And can you both kiss me on my cheeks?”
Oli kylie, why mast
t you n
make things worse for Mommy?
While I was getting uncomfortable, Liam seemed to enjoy this far too much. Without hesitation, he carried Rylie into his arms.
My daughter girdled, unaware of how every request of her put me in an awkward position.
I pulled Ryker close, wrapping my arms around his small chest, and I didn’t expect that Liam would also do the same when our hands brushed against each other.
But before I could removemy hand, he was already clasping our hands together.
“Mommy, my kiss, Rylie said, tapping her cheek and waiting for me to kiss her.
Rylie’s face was between us, but I felt like Hylie wasn’t there.
My eyes widened when my naughty daughter suddenly removed her face, causing me to lose balance.
Before I knew it, our lips jouched each other.
Liam’s hand squeezed mine.
I stepped away quickly, glaring at my i
daughter, who giggled.
“That’s not a good thing to do, Kylie:”
“S–sorry, Mommy,” she said, biting her lips
I sighed. “Let me take some pictures of Toby and Mathew
soon as we finished taking pictures, the participants for the sack race were called.
“Kylie, don’t wander around. Many people are here–don’t let go of Ryker’s hand.
Don’t worry, Mommy Mia! I’ll take care of Ryliel
Chapter 38
Ryker scoffed. “You don’t have to
“Thank you. Toby,” I uid, ruffling his hair.
Take care of the kids You to focus on winning. Have fan
“Thanks,” I said, forcing myself to smile at Matthew, who seemed to be having too much fun teasing Liam and me.
Don’t take your eyes off them,” Liam said seriously, scanning the surroundings.
His sudden change in demeanor made me uneasy, and instinctively glanced around as well.
That was when I noticed some of Liam’s bodyguards. They were dressed casually, blending in with the crowd.
Nothing bad is going to happen. right?
“Let’s go” Liam said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the starting line,
“Good luck, Mommy! Good luck, Daddy! Ryhe cheered, practically bouncing in place.
I let out a slow breath as Liam and I walked toward the sacks lined up on the field.
İyou nervous?” Liam’s voice was low, teasing.
“No” | lied, attempting to pull my hand away, but he didn’t let go.
“Okay, if you say so. Let’s win this, Mommy-
kay, if you say so.
“Stop calling me that, Liam!”
He chuckled and grabbed a sark, hokling it open for me. “Come on, step in” he said.
I sighed and carefully stepped inside, gripping the edges for balance.
But some things never change. Clumsy as ever, I lost my footing. If not for Liam’s quick reflexes. I would have fallen.
His arms wrapped around my waist, steadying me.
“Relax,” he murmured close to my car. “If you keep tensing up, we’ll fall flat on our faces, Mia”
I nodded, trying my best to calm down, but how could I calm down when he was this close to me?
I couldn’t even push him away. I was left with no choice.
“Listen, Mia, we have to match our rhythm. Move when I move he instructed, his hands still frm on my waist. “You understand?” he whispered.
He was so close that I knew we would kiss again when I looked up. So, I made sure to
keep my head down.
“do”
The whiuir blew
Liam jumped first, and I tried to follow but stumbled slightly. His grip tightened as he pulled me close, guiding me.
“Jump when I do, Ma. Move with the rhythm, feel it, dolcezza,” he said, but the noise around us drowned out his voice
Rylie’s excited cheers rang the loudest in my ear
I focused, moving in sync with him. One jump. Then another. His hands never left my
waist.
We were close to the finish line when my eyes wandered, and I stumbled, my breath hitching at the sight of a familiar man in the crowd.
“Mommy!”
“Ale you okay!” Liam asked, his voice laced with concern as he helped me get up.
My heart pounded, not from the exhaustion but from the man I just saw.
Am I hallucinating! I’m just wr
wrong, right
That can’t be…
Chapter is
“Mia, what’s wrong?” Liam’s voler pulled me back. “You’re shaking”
“N–nothing. Let’s go. Let’s win iblas Lam”
The rate was over. I closed my eyes, inhaling a deep breath. I focused on Rylie and Ryker’s voices cheering for us
Leould barely feel my feet on the ground when Liam almost carried me as we jumped towards the finish line
With one final jump, we crossed the finish line.
“Mommy and Daddy won!” Rylie hugged Liam’s leg before looking up at me. “Mommy, you did great!”
“Thank you, baby” I barely let out those words as my gaze wandered around, searching for the man I saw earlier
You’re just imagining it. Mu…
That’s right. It’s because I’m nervous about the game.
“Mu, you okay” Liam asked me
Yeah
Lam didn’t look convinced. But before he could say anything. Rylic grabbed my hand.
“Come on, Mommy! Let’s get our prize!”
I let her pull me along, but 1 could still feel Liam’s gaze burning into my back as if he knew I was lying. I don’t look okay
I know I have to be okay. I turned my attention to Ryle, whose energy was endless.
But I know
“We’re the best team ever!”
I looked at Liam. “Can I leave the kids with you for a moment? I’ll just go to the restroom.”
Til come with you-
Tm hungry. Can we eat now And I’m thirsty. Can we have some soda, Mommy? I promise Ryker and I will share a cup” Rylie interrupted excitedly.
I nodded, ruffling my daughter’s messy hair. “All right, baby. I’ll go to the restroom, then I’ll buy some soda”
“Way”
I glanced at Liam 11 be back”
What are you thinking, Mist Leaving your kids with Liam
But as I looked back at them. I saw how Liam took care of the kids, his bodyguards discreetly positioned around them
That was the safest place for them.
I made my way in the restroom, but a strange feeling crept up my spine. It felt like I was being followed
My hands trembled slightly as I reached the restroom
Nothing happened. I was just being paranoid.
I let out a slow
breath.
overthinking. It’s your anxiety talking, Mia
See? You’re just
“Congrats on winning the game,” a woman greeted me, smiling alongside the other mother.
“Thank you” I said, finally feeling at ease,
I stepped into a cubicle to change out of my sweaty clothes. Their voices continued outside for a while until silence took over
Then, I heard the door open.
Achill ran down my s
Suddenly, the lights went out
“W–who’s there?”
