Chapter 71
Chapter 69: Flashback Continuation II
I stood in the kitchen, carefully pouring milk into a cup. Snowball, whom 1 bathed at two in the morning, watched my every move like a king waiting for his servant.
He wasn’t content with the remaining cat food I gave him. Lau kily, I found a boy of milk for him.
I was about to trach for the cup and pour it into his feeding bond when a hand snatched it.
Before I could even react, Liam drank the milk in one go.
froze
Did he just drink Snowball’s milk
1 slowly turned to look at him, then at my cat, who let out a long, accusing meow.
Liam set the cup down, licking a drop of milk from his lips. “I prefer coffee, but milk doesn’t sound that had—what? Why are you giving me that look!”
I blinked. Then, trying to speak calmly, I said. “That was Snowball’s milk, Liam
His expression didn’t change at first. He just stood there, processing my words. Then his brows furrowed slightly. “Pardon?
I scratched my eyebrow and glanced at Snowball, who continued to meow angrily. “I don’t drink milk, Liam. I also have lactose intolerance. That milk was for Snowball”
He stared at me, his body tensing. “You’re kidding”
I slowly shook my head. “Nope”
The silence stretched between us like a ticking time bomb. Then, without warning, he grabbed the milk carton and read the label.
He swallowed hard. And then–he bolted straight to the sink
1 lost it. Laughter burst out of me, loud and uncontrollable, as Liam braced himself against the counter, looking ready to remove the milk from his system physically.
Wiping the tears forming in my eyes, my laughter died down, and that’s when I noticed the silence.
When I looked at Liam, he was leaning against the counter, his arms folded Istoss his chest, watching me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine
God, did I offend him? But this isn’t my fault! He was the one who drank it!
I swallowed, suddenly feeling self–conscious under his scrutiny. My fingers fumbled as I poured another serving of milk–this time directly into Snowball’s bowl, avoiding eye contact
“Go on,” Liam murmured, his voice k
low. “Continue laughing”
I shook my head, forcing a small smile. “Sorry=”
“Don’t be.”
His tone was softer, not sarcastic
I glanced at him, only to see his lips curling slightly–not in amusement, but something else. Something I still didn’t want to acknowledge.
He straightened from the counter, taking a slow step toward me. “I don’t care if I turn into a cat for drinking milk meant for one,” he said, his voice like a slow burn, heating my skin. “If that’s the price I have to pay to see you laugh like that–with me–I wouldn’t mind”
There it goes again.
My heart was playing tricks on me, beating faster than usual–something only this man could make me feel
His gaze never wavered from mine.
e la pay.
Hforced a chuckle, trying to lighten the moment. “That’s a ridiculous price to
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Chapter 71
Is it?” He took another step, closing the space between us. “Because I think it’s worth it.”
I should’ve stepped back. 1 should’ve said something–anything–to break this tension. But I just stood there, staring back at him.
Until Snowball meowed loudly, and I took that as a reminder that this shouldn’t sway mr.
I quickly turned away, pretending to focus on Snowball
“You should be worrying about your stomach instead of saying things like that, I muttered, attempting to regain control of my breathing
Liam chuckled. I’m fine. But you?” His fingers brushed against a stray strand of my hair, tucking it behind my ear before I could react. “You’re flustered”
p teasing me!” It was all I could say as I stepped back, smacking his arm with the towel I had grabbed.
“Stop
I momentarily forgot the kind of person I was dealing with until he let out a laugh.
A laugh that did nothing to slow my racing heart.
“You know,” he murmured, tilting his head slightly. “That’s the first time I’ve seen you laugh like that because of me
looked up at him. I should’ve ignored it, but I found myself waiting for him to continue.
“You’re always..” He exhaled, his eyes searching mine. “Sad. Nervous. Flustered. Or holding back your anger when you’re with me.”
I parted my lips, but no words came out
Liam stepped closer again, waiting to see if I would allow him to be this close to the
I was about to close my eyes when he lowered his head.
But something snapped me out of it as my gaze landed on the photo on the refrigerator
It was there because Mama, when she was alive, loved looking at it while preparing meals.
It was Callie and me, taken when we were kids.
No, this can’t happen.
It woke me up.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. I was here because of Callie–because she ran away, leaving me in her place.
I am just a substitute bride. I should know my place.
This wasn’t part of the deal,
I pushed against his chest, creating distance between us. “Stop this, Liam, I breathed, my voice shaking more than I wanted it to
But he didn’t backway, Instead, he caged me between the counter and himself.
His green eyes burned into mine. “What’s stopping you, Camille! I can feel it. I know we feel the same way. We both want this.”
No. I couldn’t
My lips parted, my chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. “No… Callie-
Liam let out a sharp breath, his jaw tightening. “I told you, she was just business. I didn’t mind taking her before because I was mistaken…”
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