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The Mafia Devil's Obsession - Chapter 4


Chapter 4


Leah

His eyes dragged down my body as though he was stripping away every piece of clothing with his eyes. When our eyes locked again, the hunger in them was unmistakable.  

"I almost missed you." He grinned.

"Are you stalking me?" My voice tried for tough, but my grip on my purse strap betrayed the tremor in my hands.

"Maybe." He stepped forward.

I took two backwards, my back hitting the wall of the elevator. I was right where he wanted me, trapped between the wall and his body.

"I could be one for you, doll."

"You're insane."

I pressed myself harder against the wall as though it was going to save me from him.  

"I am," he muttered more to himself than to me. He reached out to touch my face, and I caught his hand, stopping him.

"That's a bad habit. Touching me without permission." 

He smirked, his eyes drifting to my lips. "Like I said, it is hard to resist when something beautiful catches my eye."

"Again, I'm not a thing." I squeezed his wrist harder.

"No. You are not," he agreed. 

His fingers caressed my cheek, despite my small hand trying to stop his. 

"I want it." 

"My cheek?"

He chuckled. "No, silly. Your hair tie."

I blinked, wondering what type of creep would ask a woman he had just met for her hair tie. "Why?"

"To tie my hair."

Is he for real?

"Fuck off." I pushed against his chest.

But he tugged the hair tie free, letting my hair tumble down my shoulders. 

"The hell!" I yelled, brushing the strands that fell on my face aside.

He twirled the hair tie around his finger. "Thank you." 

"Give it back!" I reached up to snatch it back, but he raised his hand higher. I stood on my tiptoe, trying to reach it, when suddenly, he leaned down, pressing his lips against mine.

My mind went blank for a second while his hand moved to the back of my head, deepening the kiss. 

The kiss became rougher, stealing the air from my lungs. My fists pounded weakly against his chest, but he didn't stop until I tasted blood. My knees buckled, and I clung to his coat, growing weaker with every second.

When he pulled away, I gasped for air, my lips stinging. 

A smirk played on his lips as his fingers traced along my swollen lips, clearly pleased with himself.

Without a second thought, I raised my hand, ready to slap off that stupid smirk that irritated me. He gripped my wrist before I could make contact with his face.

The playful smirk on his face faded. His eyes went cold, staring down at me with an unsettling emptiness. 

Dread washed over me.

He brought my hand to his lips, kissing my palm tenderly, his eyes holding mine. My skin crawled from the kisses he trailed up my arm. 

"Do you know what happened to the last person who slapped me?" He asked, and without waiting for an answer, I didn't have he continued, "He lost both his arms."

A shudder ran through me, my heart pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it. I tried to pull back, but his grip tightened.

"Do you want to lose your arms, doll?" 

I shook my head, pressing my lips together to keep myself from screaming.

He chuckled, the darkest I had heard from him. "Relax. I wouldn't harm a single part of your beautiful body."

If he was trying to convince me that I was safe with him, then he failed. If anything, his words sounded like a threat I should take seriously.

He leaned in again, his lips brushing against mine, and then he whispered, "Are you scared of me?"

I didn't reply. I couldn't even if I wanted to. 

Who asks someone that after they threaten to cut their arms off?

"You shouldn't be, doll." 

The elevator doors finally opened. He stepped away, tying his hair up in a bun, his eyes still on me.  

I stumbled out, my legs shaking, hand catching the wall to steady myself. 

"Do you need help?" He teased.

I straightened quickly, forcing my legs to move and put as much distance between myself and the crazy man behind me.

"Mrs. Walsh," the CEO called down the hallway.

"Good morning, Mr. Martinez," I greeted, with a forced smile.

"Are you alright?" He asked concerned.

"Yeah," I lied.

He didn't seem convinced as he opened his mouth to speak, but the footsteps behind me caught his attention. "Mr. Kingston, you made it today."

"Yes," he chuckled.

"You should have called. The chairman waited yesterday." 

"My bad," he chuckled again. "I didn't think you were hiding such a beauty in your company, though." 

"Ah," the CEO let out an awkward laugh. "We shouldn't keep the chairman waiting, Mr. Kingston."

When I heard their footsteps fading, I turned and caught him looking at me. 

He winked.

I think I got myself in trouble without knowing.

**********************************

The week flew by, and before I knew it, it was Friday.

"Did we come for a family dinner or to watch those two flirt?" Ivy muttered, eyeing our parents.

I followed her gaze. Across the table, my mother giggled at something my father said, her hand resting on his arm. 

I smiled and turned back to my sister, who wore a look of pure disgust. "Let them be, Ivy. They barely see each other."

She raised her eyebrow, folding her arms. "Barely? Is that what you think?"

"What do you mean?" 

"I came home last month to a scene that will traumatise me for life... right in the living room! Buck naked. Both of them!" 

"I can't unsee it, Leah."

"The fuck." My eyes widened in shock.

"Yeah, these two old geezers are fucking each other behind our backs!"

I glared across the table. "Dad!" 

They jerked like they had been caught doing something they shouldn't. I narrowed my eyes at my father, feeling betrayed. He was hooking up with his ex-wife behind my back while acting like he needed help. I thought we were a team. 

Un-fucking-believable

"What's the problem, sweetheart?" He asked.

"Don't," Ivy whispered. "He got me my new car to keep it a secret."

"You..."

She placed her hand on my thigh and squeezed it hard. "They are adults, Leah. They don't need their kids telling 'em what to do."

It's more like I should help you keep your new car.

The waiter arrived, serving the food just in time. I kept my eyes on my father, my glare unwavering, even as my plate was placed in front of me. He cleared his throat awkwardly, picking up his cutlery to eat.

"Eat your food, Leah," my mother said, coming to her man's defence.

"Sure, Mrs. Carter." I turned my glare at her.

"What is wrong with your sister?" She asked Ivy, who merely shrugged.

I was lifting a forkful of pasta to my lips when I felt a finger graze my bare arm, the scent of his cologne announcing his arrival before he spoke. 

"Good evening, Mr. Carter," he greeted.

The colour drained from my face.

"Aiden Kingston," my father said, his voice tinged with barely concealed anger.








Chapter 5

Leah

"What a lovely family you have here." he said, his hand shamelessly sliding up my shoulder. 

My mother looked at me concerned. "Sweetheart, are you alright?"

"Yes," I lied, trying to shift away quietly.

"Are you sure, doll?" He mocked, his finger moving to brush my hair behind my ear. "You look like you have seen a ghost." 

A cold dread washed over me as our eyes met, his threat from the elevator echoing in my mind. 

His gaze dropped to my lips, that tingled in memory of a stolen kiss.

My father slammed his hand onto the table, and I flinched. "I made it clear to you last time, she is..." 

Aiden chuckled. "Sorry about that, Mr. Carter. I don't take warnings seriously," he said, his voice deceptively calm. "They only make me want to cross the line even further."

My father's jaw tightened, his fist clenching on the table as if controlling himself from making a mistake. I could feel the walls closing in on me.

"Micheal," my mother said softly, her hand resting on his arm. Her touch did little to ease the growing tension between the two men. 

My heart skipped a beat when our eyes met again. He reached out, brushing his fingers against my cheek gently. 

"You look beautiful in red," he murmured, his eyes dropping to my lips again. A smile curled up his lips as he leaned down and whispered, "I will see you later, doll."

I didn't realise I was holding my breath the entire time until he left. 

"Where did you two meet?" My father asked immediately.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my racing heart. "The elevator," I replied, leaving the part about running into him at the car park and the kiss.

"Isn't he... a member of the Kingston family?" My mom's voice trembled in fear. 

My dad remained silent, looking away from her.
 
"Micheal, he is part of a crime family! Why is someone like that interested in our daughter?"

The Kingston family, the biggest crime family, ruling the underground in this city. We are talking guns, murders and every other illegal shit you can think of.

I knew he was dangerous. But to think he was with the mafia?

My dad reached across the table, taking my hand in his. "You need to avoid him, honey. I know you might not have a reason to see him, but there is no telling what goes on in a mind like his."

"I-I will."

The rest of the meal was torture. This was a dinner I had been looking forward to all week, but his presence ruined everything.

A sudden unease settled in my guts as I waved goodbye to my parents, who were driving off. Turning around, I flinched slightly at the source of the unease. He stood, his hands buried in his pockets as he watched me through the glass doors of the restaurant. 

I could have sworn I saw him leave earlier.

When he gestured for me to come over, I clutched my purse tightly, turning away immediately. My heart pounded as I started to walk towards my car. 

I heard footsteps behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder, confirming my worst fears. He was right behind me, enjoying the way I scrambled away from him like prey.

"I thought we agreed to meet later, doll," he taunted. 

I fumbled inside my purse for my keys, fingers trembling.

Almost there, Leah. Just a few more steps. Once you get into the car, you will be safe.

Relief washed over me as I finally found the key and pressed the button. The car door clicked open. I pulled it slightly ajar when suddenly, a hand clamped down on the top from behind me.

"Were you running away from me, doll?" He whispered, his voice laced with mocking amusement in my ear.

"Let go," my voice came out shaky.

He clicked his tongue, his breath hot on my neck. "What about our date?"

I yanked at the door. "Let go. I need to go home!" I yelled.

He slammed the door shut with a force that made me jump, my back pressing against his chest. His nose grazed my skin, as he murmured, "Fuck, you smell nice."

I tried to step away, but he gripped my hip, holding me in place. "Stay still, doll." He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply.

"Get your filthy hands off me, you son of a bitch!" I screamed, my nails digging into his hand.

He chuckled, his nails digging into my hip and I winced letting his hand go. "That hurts, doll. I thought we had gotten closer... especially after our kiss on the elevator." He brushed his lips down my neck, my skin tingling from where his lips had touched. 

"You forced that kiss on me.i"

"Is that so?" He murmured, sending unwanted heat through me. "All I remember were lips begging to be kissed."

The rain started to fall in small droplets, the tapping on the car roof blending with the sound of my heavy breathing. 

He tilted my face towards him, his lips dangerously close to mine. My breath hitched, eyes darting to his lips and then back at his darkened gaze. "And even now, they are begging me to kiss them."

I should've turned away, but I didn't.

His mouth pressed to mine, tongue slipping into my mouth, claiming me with rough intensity. He sucked on my tongue, then my lips, teeth grazing lightly, just enough to leave a bruise.

The rain continued, soaking us both, but that didn't stop him. He pulled me closer as if we weren't close enough. I whimpered into his mouth, heat pooling between my legs.

Fuck.

My breathe came out ragged as he pulled away, his eyes locking onto mine. Those eyes promised bad, sinful things, things that made me shudder in all the wrong ways.

"Looks like I have got you wet, inside and out." 

He was right, my panties were soaked and it wasn't the rain.

I was attracted to him. It was a truth I had been refusing to acknowledge ever since I met him. 

"Since I got you wet, let me buy you a new dress," he offered.

"I don't need a dress from you," I snapped, shoving him away and reaching for the door again.

He slammed it shut. "I insist."

I glared at him, my nose flaring.

Headlights flashed on us as a car pulled up in front. Before I could react, he grabbed my wrists.

"Hey, let go off me!"  I shouted, struggling against his grip.

My nails dug at his skin, but he just dragged me toward his car and shoved me inside.

My heart dropped.

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Relax. We're just getting you a dress. I promise I won't bite." His eyes darkened. "Not unless you want me to."

I swallowed hard.

I'm screwed. 



Chapter 6  

Leah

"Do you need help changing?" Aiden teased, his eyes on my chest.

Fucking, stupid pervert.

My fingers tightened around the shopping bag. "No. Get out."

He leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "But I also need to change. You don't want me catching a cold, do you?"

"Then get another room."

"The bathroom will do," he said, brushing past me.

He took off his coat and dropped it carelessly onto the floor, and then his fingers moved to his shirt buttons. "The faster you change, the faster I get out of your hair. And don't even think about running. My men are right outside the door."

I chewed the inside of my cheek as he disappeared into the bathroom.

After standing for what felt like hours, I reluctantly pulled out the yellow sundress from the bag, eyeing it. I glanced at the bathroom door for the hundredth time to make sure he wasn't coming out before quickly slipping out of my wet dress.

The door suddenly creaked open, causing my heart to jump into my throat.

"What is wrong with you?" I almost screamed, turning quickly and holding the dress to my chest.

"My bad. Didn't think you would still be dressing," he said, not looking the least bit sorry.

"Well, I'm. Get out."

He didn't. Instead, he stood there watching me like a fucking prey.

He stepped closer, the air shifting with him.

"Don't..." I warned, taking a small step back.

My heart raced wildly, my fingers digging into the dress. Just when I thought he was about to touch me, he crouched down to pick something up. He lifted the shopping bag in his hand with a smirk. "I forgot to take my clothes."

"You seemed to be expecting something else, doll."

"Fuck you," I breathed.

His gaze moved past me, and his lips curved. "You know there's a mirror behind you, right?"

Heat rushed to my face. I turned slightly, realising he could see my naked back.

Fuck. Fuck!

I looked anywhere but him wishing the ground would just open and swallow me.

Shouldn't he have pretended he didn't see it?

My eyes caught the growing bulge under his towel, and my breath hitched.

He chuckled, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my shoulder. 

"Stop," I whispered.

"Stop what?"

"Whatever you're doing."

"You don't like it?"

"Yes," I exhaled sharply. 

His thumb moved over my lips slowly before lifting my face. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Liar."

"I don't."

For a second, something dark flashed in his eyes, and then he stepped back.

"Next time then," he said, almost to himself, before turning away.

"This should be the last time we meet," I said.

He paused at the door, glancing over his shoulder with a knowing smirk. "We both know that would be difficult, doll."

*******************************************
I ran the sponge over my shoulder and then down the length of my arm, my mind wandering to his hands. They were large and strong and could easily cover my breasts. I shivered, goosebumps spreading across my skin as the thought of his rough hands gliding slowly over my skin invaded my thoughts. I sighed, opening my eyes to the ceiling.

"I am fucked."

I leaned forward scrubbing my body with more force, reminding myself that I was supposed to be cleansing myself of his touch, not fantasising about how his hands would feel on my body.

The phone on the dresser rang just as I was about to climb the bed. "Liam," I called out but there was no answer. I checked the closet and he wasn't there.

The phone kept ringing. "Where is he?" I picked it up just as it stopped ringing and vibrated in my hand with a message. I was about to glance at the screen when the phone was suddenly snatched from my hand harshly.

"What the fuck are you doing snooping around my phone?" He snapped.

"I wasn't stopping around," I gritted, angry at his accusations. 

He hissed, scrolling through his phone. "Don't fucking touch my phone again," he warned through clenched teeth.

"Why are you acting like it's such a big deal? Are you hiding something?"

He turned to me, glaring daggers. "What did you just say?"

"Nothing," I said, realising that things would escalate if I continued arguing with him.

I turned away from him, heading toward the bed when I heard him say, "Annoying bitch."

I turned around, my chest tightening at his words. "Why would you call me that just because I touched your phone?" I almost yelled, my hands trembling as tears welled in my eyes.

Why are you being mean to me?

His phone rang again, and he ignored me, leaving the room as he answered the call.

I lay in bed waiting for him. He didn't come back for what felt like hours. 

The door creaked open, my heart racing as I heard him move around the room. I lay still as he climbed in beside me. Seconds went by, and I couldn't muster up the courage to say a word, afraid he would get angry like he always does. I turned on my side, facing his back. He was right beside me on the bed, but it felt like he was miles away.

Ever since the nightdress issue, he had been distant. He was always looking for a way to turn every conversation we had into a fight. 

I bit my lip, hesitating before scooting closer, my heart pounding as I wrapped my arms around him from behind. He tensed immediately at my touch, but he didn't pull away. I scooted closer, feeling his warmth against my body as I rested my head against his back, and I whispered, "I'm sorry."

I didn't know what I was apologising for, but I was ready to apologise for anything if it meant closing the growing distance between us. I didn't care about the sex. We shouldn't be fighting because of it in the first place. I didn't die when he stopped touching me and still won't. But his coldness is something I couldn't live with. I wanted the man I loved before marriage back.

"I am trying to sleep, Leah," he murmured, and I held him tighter. "If you don't stop, I will leave the bed for you."

My heart shattered as my voice trembled, pleading, "Please..." I blinked back tears, but they fell anyway. He removed my arms from around him with a sharp hiss, standing up from the bed, before I could stop him. I knelt on the bed, tears streaming freely down my cheeks, watching as he grabbed the doorknob. The words I usually kept as thoughts spilt out before I could stop them. "Are you seeing someone else?"

He paused, his back still turned to me, and for an agonising moment, the room was filled with nothing but the sound of my sobs. "Please talk to me, Liam. I have thought hard and long on what the problem is, and I can't seem to think of anything but that," I cried fisting my nightdress. "Or do you not love me anymore?"

I couldn't tell which was more painful, the thought of him seeing someone else or the possibility that he no longer loved me. But did I have the right to question him, especially when I had let another man kiss me twice? Or the fact that I secretly craved the touch of a stranger who wasn't my husband?










Chapter 7  

Aiden

I hadn't meant to walk in on her dressing. And I should've left the moment I saw her naked body in the mirror. 

It took everything in me not to garb her ass, spank it, and watch it jiggle.

Fuck.

I exhaled sharply, adjusting the growing tension in my pants. I'd spent hours in the bathroom jerking off, trying to think of anything but her gorgeous body, her scent, the sound of her breath, and the way her skin flushed when she was embarrassed.

My nails dug into my thigh as I leaned back in the seat, jaw tight. I'd seen women before, but this one? She was dangerous. The kind of woman who could make a man lose his fucking edge without even trying.

"Jesus, man. This chick's got you by the balls," Storm said,  shooting me a sideways look from the driver's seat. "You even took her dress." He clicked his tongue, eyeing the bag beside me.

"Correction, she left her dress and ran."

He chuckled. "Can't blame her. You probably looked at her like a starving beast."

And he was right. If she hadn't refused me I would have done dirty, twisted things to her. The kind of things that would haunt her father's dreams if he found out. 

I let out a deep, throaty laugh.

When I told him I was interested in her, a muscle in his jaw had twitched. "She's off-limits."

"And why is that?"

"She is married. And even if she weren't, I wouldn't want you anywhere near my daughter."

I didn't think she was his daughter. And her being married was just a meaningless detail. It sure as hell wasn't going to stop me.

*************************************
I descended the narrow stairs to the basement, the screams of a man echoing from below. I removed the cigarette from between my lips, letting out a puff of smoke, the scent mixing with the thick, metallic stench of blood.

A naked man was tied to a chair with a rope, his body drenched in his blood. Storm delivered a brutal punch to the man's stomach, and he coughed more blood.

I stood at the entrance, watching him deliver another blow as I smoked silently.

"Boss," one of my men rushed over.

"Did any of them talk?" I asked.

"No, boss." 

I glanced over at another bloodied figure slumped unconscious in a chair.

"And him?"

"He fainted during the interrogation."

"Wake him up," I ordered.

He scurried away, grabbing a bucket of water and dumping it over the unconscious man who gasped awake, sputtering and coughing. His eyes darted around wide with fear, and when he recognized me, he froze.

Storm turned to me, his white shirt stained with blood. "You are here," he said, and I nodded at him to continue.

I strode over to where the man sat. "Aiden! I swear," he tried to scoot away, his chair scraping uselessly against the floor. "I-I didn't know it was your turf! I never would have accepted the deal if I had known!"

I chuckled darkly, "Oh, I am aware of that."

I reached down, stabbing the glowing butt of the cigarette into his bare shoulder, and he grunted. "I just need a fucking name," I said calmly, throwing the cigarette away. "Who ordered it?"

"I don't know," he cried. "We never met them. They just gave us the drop location. The money wasn't even what they promised."

"Is that so?" I straightened turning to the man beside me. "Bring me the hammer."

His eyes went wide with fear, and he begged, "Please! That's all I know! I would never lie to you, Aiden! I swear to God!"

"Don't worry, we will just do a little refreshing of memory," I assured. 

"Boss." The man handed me the hammer. 

"Let's try again," I chuckled, swinging the hammer. "Who ordered it?"

"I told you..." he howled in agony as the hammer came down hard on his thigh.

At the end of the torture, I still got no name.

I peeled my bloodstained clothes off, tossing them into a corner as I walked toward the shower while untying my hair. I looped the black hair tie around my wrist. The hot water poured down my body.

I closed my eyes, jaw clenched. I knew who it was. The person who had ordered the robbery. It had to be him. 

Dom fucking Blackwood. 

I slammed my fist against the tile, angry. He has crossed the line this time around, and I was going to make him pay.

I heard the bathroom door open, then the clicking of heels on the floor. I didn't need to turn to know who it was. She was the only woman who entered my place uninvited. 

The heels stopped. She was probably undressing now. I sighed, running my hands through my wet hair.

She pressed her naked body against me, her nipples hard. "Why the fuck are you here?" I asked.

"Cold as always," She purred, her hands sliding over my torso, trailing lower, as she placed wet kisses along my back. "Gets me wet all the time."

"Freya,"

"Julian sent a list," she murmured, her hand stroking me slowly, and I exhaled sharply. "He wants them dead or alive, but I would rather you bring them alive... It's been a long time since I played with someone."

"Mhm," 

She moved in front of me, her eyes locking with mine as she knelt. She kissed the tip of my cock, her lips parting to take me in. My breath hitched as she moved her head, her hand stroking me in time with her movement. 

My head fell back, hand fisting her hair, and thrusting fast into her mouth. Her mouth was warm around me, her tongue teasing me in ways that drove me over the edge. 

"Fuck," I groaned, yanking her up, by her arm and pressing her against the wall, as I lifted her. She gasped, wrapping her legs around my waist, nails digging into my shoulders. She cried out in pleasure when I drove into her, hard and fast.

Even though she irritated me, I couldn't deny that she always came at the right time when I needed a good fuck.

Later, dressed in black sweats, I found her sprawled in my bed still naked.

"What are you still doing here?" I asked, approaching the bed.

"Waiting for another round," she licked her lips. "We both know you aren't satisfied yet."

"Get out."

She sat up. "I don't want to," she pouted.

My jaw tightened. "Get dressed and leave, Freya."

"Are you worried Julian would find out about us?" She smiled. 

"Don't make me say it again, Freya." I boomed,  eyes darkening.

She flinched, now getting the gist.

She climbed down from the bed, hissing as she pushed past me. "Asshole."

She disappeared into my closet, and when she returned, she was putting on one of my shirts. "What happened to your dress?"

She turned and shot me a middle finger before walking towards the door. When she opened it, Storm stood outside about to knock on the door. "Get the fuck out of the way!" She spat at him, slamming the door behind her.

The door creaked open again. Storm walked in with a raised eyebrow. "What the hell did you do to the mafia princess?" He snarled.

I sighed, "What is it?"

He waved a card in his hand. "The mayor sent it. His daughter is getting married."









Chapter 8 

Leah

The week had been hectic for me, and after what happened last night with Liam, all I wanted was a peaceful weekend to catch my breath. But the sight of Sarah, my mother-in-law standing in the hallway, unannounced and uninvited, dashed any hope of that.

"Welcome, Mother," I said, trying to sound cheerful as I stepped forward to hug her.

"Great, you are here," She rolled her eyes as she spoke, barely masking her irritation. She allowed me to hug her but pulled away quickly as if the contact had burned her.

"That's funny, Mother. Where else would I be if not in my own home?" I forced a smile, keeping my tone light.

She narrowed her eyes, and I held her gaze, refusing to be intimidated.

"Where is Liam?" She asked, her eyes darting around in search of him.

"He stepped out...to meet a friend," I lied.

I had no idea where he was. He had dressed and left in the morning without so much as a glance in my direction. It seemed as if the more I tried to confront him on his attitude towards me, the more distance I created between us.

She frowned. "Matt?"

"No," I replied quickly, remembering that she wasn't fond of Matt, even though he had been friends with Liam since college. "Someone from the office."

Sarah's frown deepened with suspicion, but she said nothing as she pulled out her phone from her purse and strode into the living room. "What should I get you, mother?"

"Nothing," she replied dryly.

"I should have taken Sam up on her offer to meet." I rolled my eyes, following her.

She sat on the sofa, her phone on speaker as she dialled Liam's number.

"Where are you?" She asked as soon as he answered.

"In the office, Mother," he replied.

"On a Saturday?"

"Yes. Why did you call?"

"Hurry home," she demanded. "I'm at your house."

"You are at my place?" He said. "Give me a few minutes," he added before the line went dead.

She sighed, setting her phone on the arm of the sofa. She turned her attention to me, her gaze racking over me from head to toe, lingering on my stomach. Her lips curled in disgust as she took in my outfit.

"Those things on your body are hideous," she spat, referring to the butterflies inked on my lower belly. "You should try dressing decently to hide them." 

I was wearing shorts and a crop top, in my own home. My own home!

I bit back a retort, knowing it would do no good. Talking back never ended well with them. I sat down on the sofa across from her, distracting myself with a game on my phone as we waited for Liam.

"Mother," Liam greeted warmly, smiling as he walked over to where Sarah sat. He leaned down to kiss her cheek, but she stood up beaming as she pulled him into a tight embrace.

Her hand went to his face when she pulled away slightly, her expression shifting to one of concern. "What happened to you? You've lost weight."

"Work. I have been busy."

She pursed her lips, clearly not satisfied with his answers. "You should take care of your health. I thought after your promotion, you'd have less work, not more."

"Promotion?" I repeated, my eyes darting between Sarah and Liam.

He never told me anything about a promotion.

"I'll go change." He announced, kissing his mother's cheek before leaving.

I closed the door behind me as I followed him into the room. He was untying his tie when I walked over and reached out, my fingers brushing against his as I began unbuttoning his shirt. I expected him to push me away, but he didn't. He merely looked over my head and allowed me to continue. 

"You were promoted?" I asked softly.

He didn't reply. 

"When was it?" 

"Last month." He replied coldly. 

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to think of how much his indifference stung."Why didn't you tell me?"

He shrugged. "Didn't think it was necessary. After all, it's not a big promotion."

I forced a smile. "Congratulations."

He turned to look at me, his eyes cold as he studied me. Then he pulled away, taking off his shirt and tossing it aside. "Don't say it if you don't mean it, Leah." 

He stripped off his pants and disappeared into the closet. I followed behind, watching his back. The only part of him that didn't turn away from me.

"Did you get Julie's invitation to her wedding?" I asked, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Yes," he replied, picking out a new shirt. 

"Are we going together?" I asked, even though I knew the answer. 

He never agrees to go out with me. Even when I told him about dinner with my parents, he said he didn't feel comfortable eating with them.

"No. I have a business trip that week."

I chucked, hurt. "You weren't planning on telling me about it, were you?" I murmured to myself.

He paused, turning to me with furrowed brows and that look of irritation and disgust in his eyes that broke my heart. "What did you say?"

"It's nothing."

"Stop doing that."

"Doing what?" I asked, confused.

"Acting like you are trying to accommodate me," he snapped. "It's disgusting."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. I could feel another fight brewing, and instead of giving him what he wanted, I backed down. I smiled through the painful knot in my chest and whispered, "I'm sorry."

His eyes narrowed in frustration. "That's all you are good at. Saying sorry," he spat, grabbing his pants from a hanger and pushing past me.

No matter what I did, we always ended up fighting.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

I moved through the crowd, searching for Julie. Along the way, I ran into people I knew, most of them my father's associates who still referred to me as Miss. Carter, even though I've been married for three years. I had to correct them more times than I cared about.

Finally, I found Julie posing for photos with her husband. 

"You made it," Julie said with feigned surprise as she pulled me into a hug. "I didn't think you'd come. Where is Liam?"

"He's travelling. Congratulations."

She smiled, her eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. "Isn't my wedding just grand? Much more than yours."

I nodded, smiling. "It's isn't a competition but yes, it's beautiful."

"Julie," someone called, and she excused herself.

I rolled my eyes and sighed deeply. I didn't want to attend the wedding in the first place, especially after Sam told me she wouldn't make it because of her brother's match. 

Now, I felt alone, surrounded by people I knew but had no desire to engage with. Most of them were from college and high school, people who clung to old grudges, yet plastered fake smiles while whispering behind each other's backs.

Julie and I have known each other since kindergarten, and we've never been anything close to friends. We only tolerate each other because our parents are close.

Before I even saw him, I felt it, a gaze so intense it sent a shiver down my spine. I turned, my heart skipping a beat when our eyes locked across the crowded room. The music and chatter around me seemed to fade as if the world had paused just for us.

For a moment, neither of us moved, caught in each other's stare. His lips curled into a knowing smile, and though I couldn't hear him, I was certain he mouthed the word, "Beautiful." He took a step forward and then another, closing the distance between us. My heart pounded in my chest, a wild mix of fear and anticipation washing over me as I stood there, waiting...for him.

That night, I ended up making a mistake.


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