Chapter 45
Chapter 44-1 believe you
Don’t forget what I said, Rylie. No running. Finish-
“Finish all my stacks. Don’t take food from other people. Drink lots of water. And…” She
le pouted, then glanced at her twin brother, who smirked.
“Listen to Ryker and do what he says”
I hughed sofily. “That’s my girl. Now, be good, okay!” Heaned my forehead against hers and brushed our noses, making her giggle.
will, Mommy. I promise.
That’s what I like to hear”
She let out a sweet little laugh and kissed my cheek. I turned to Ryker, tilting my head and tapping my cheek.
He glanced around like he was checking to see if anyone was watching, pretending to be all cool about it.
Ah, my boy wasn’t that little guy who used to beg for mommy kisses anymore.
He gave me a quick peck on the cheek. Til look out for Rylic. Mom”
Thanks, Ryker. Take care of yourself, too, alright”
– nodded and gently took his sister’s hand. I watched them go, not moving. until they stepped inside their classroom.
I looked at the other mothers who had brought their children to school. Unlike me, who had to check my wristwatch to see how much time I had before heading to the office, they went to the designated area where parents waited for their children after class.
How I wish I had the privilege to do that. But I can’t–not when I’m still looking for another part–time job to ease my financial struggles.
I was busy reading an email about the part–time bookkeeping jobs I had applied for when I almost bumped into someone,
Even without looking. I already knew who it was the familiar scent gave him away.
1 heaved a sigh and looked up at him.
Don’t tell me he’d been here for a while now, watching me and the twins?
“What are you doing here, sir?” I asked, forcing a smile–contrary to how I truly felt seeing him now after three days.
It’s uncomfortable.
He hadn’t come to Winslow since that day, but I had continued going to his office since I still had my job.
And now he was back–at my children’s school!
I wanted to scream at him, to demand how the hell he knew where my children’s school was–but what was the point? As if I didn’t already know
the answer.
He stared at me, his expression unreadable, but I could almost feel the intensity in his green eyes. It was as if he had so many things to say but was holding back
The way he looked at me made me nervous. Why was he looking at me like that? Like he knew something? Like he finally discovered the truth about Mia Miller.
No, it’s still too soo
I glanced discreetly behind him and met Hunter’s gaze. Ile was still here, which meant Liam still didn’t know anything.
With that thought, I calmed down.
I cleared my throat. “Sir! I asked you a
a question.”
“To pick you up. I want to visit the site of the hotel I’m planning to build here in Cali. Take me there, Mia.”
—and 1 have no right to question anything he wants as long as it’s related to my job.
ixury car. Why would he take mine!
ed toward my
ar in the parking lot. I kept my gare forward ignoring the uneasy flutter in my chest.
passenge
hen he beat me to it
and
and got in first.
nd closing his i
chy hund
on the door hande, watching him. He looked exhausted—his brows slightly furrowed even with his eyes
pened.
| glanced toward
o say, so I just sighed, shaking my head as I shut the door more than necessary.
ay, watching silently. His face was blank and unreadable, and he didn’t even protest that I was the
the driver is side. When I turned to Liam, he was still leaning comfortably, his eyes closed like he had all the time in the world.
reminded him.
e green eyes
I sighed and waited, but he remained still. In the end. I reached across him and grabbed his seatbelt.
As I clicked the belt to place. his eyes opened–suddenly, sharply–and for a second, our faces were too close. His intense, unreadable
My breath hitched, and I froze, my eyes widening when his gaze shifted to my hand resting on his chest.
and before hurriedly pulling away, my heart pounding.
key into the ignition, cursing when my fingers trembled slightly.
Can you drive! Or do you want me to?” he asked, his gaze following my
raising an eyebrow
I cleared my throat. T’s. Sir. I can manage.
The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating, until I finally exhaled and spoke.
“Sir, why did you have to come to the twins school? You could’ve just texted me or waited at the company
s the way. Why would I waste my time waiting for you at the office” he retorted
1 pressed my lips together, gripping the wheel a little tighter.
“How did you even know my children go to that school?” I asked after another pause.
“Ryle old
My fingers curled around the leather steering wheel. Rylie told him? Sure, she did–but why did I have this nagging feeling that he already knew before my daughter said that?
“Why?”
loosened my grip when we stopped at a red light and turned to glance at him. “What do
You
mean why?”
“You think I ran an investigation on you?” His voice w
“His voice was quiet, measured. “Because I still believe you’re my wife!”
Liam met my gaze, his bps curling slightly–but his expression had no amusement. His eyes were solemn, unreadable.
Chapter 15
The air in the car grew heavier, pressing against my chest. My pulse q
A sharp honk fi
quickened, but I said nothing.
from the car behind us snapped me out of my trance. I swallowed and continued driving
Then, after a long silence, he spoke again.
“I’m not pushing that idea anymore… I believe you now. You
have n
no connection to
tion to my ex–wife.
You are not her
I exhaled slowly, my hands steadying on the wheel. “That’s good to hear,” I murmured, keeping my
eyes on the road
He believes me, now?
I had convinced him I wasn’t his ex–wife. Cunilliana?
Then why, why did it feel like he was lying? Like, he really didn’t mean it!
The rest of the drive passed in silence. I kept my eyes on the road, my fingers tightly gripping the wheel. At the same time, Liam looked so tired that he slept on me half an hour after I drove.
It was good that I was used to being aware of every project Winslow would handle. I already knew where the future Anderson Hotel and Resort would be built
When we finally arrived. I pulled up to an open dirt lot surrounded by wild grass and towering trees.
“We’re here. Sit.”
Liam opened his eyes and rolled down the window. The salty breeze from the nearby ocean swept through the air.
I killed the engine and stepped out, taking in the vast land stretching before us. It was breathtaking.
I took a step forward, my heels catching on the uneven ground. I wobbled, my arms flailing for balance, but before I could fall, Liam was there—his hands firm on my waist, pulling me against him.
The breath left my lungs as I crashed into his chest.
For a second, I didn’t move, Neither did he.
1 swallowed hard, my pulse quickening as I lifted my gaze.
Liam was watching me, his green eyes unreadable but intense
“Careful”
1 tried to step back, but his grip lingered just a second longer, his fingers preshing lightly into my
V WORL
“Let go of me, Sir.”
“I can’t do that”
My brows furrowed. “What-
He finally let go of me before I could finish talking and turned his back on me.
“I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
3/3
