Chapter 195
Chapter 195
The cramped three–bedroom apartment suddenly fell silent. Sophie forced herself to stay calm, replaying everything in her head.
The man who delivered food today had been unusually hostile. And from what he’d said, it was obvious–Liam had messed up. His grandfather must’ve suffered for it, and now he was making them pay.
Then it hit her. The phone call.
That call must’ve tipped Marcus off, made him turn his suspicion on the old man. If Grandfather Wallace had taken a blow, it explained why things had suddenly become harder for them.
Three days had already passed since that call. If Marcus was close, there should’ve been some sign by now. But the fact that they hadn’t been
moved, nor given any new orders, meant only one thing: Marcus hadn’t found them yet.
And Grandfather Wallace was confident he never would.
But why? What was this place, that gave him such certainty?
Sophie’s mind spun. She needed a way to pass Marcus a message. And Liam’s phone–the one in his pocket–was the only way.
By midnight, her stomach was growling, empty after a day without food. She sipped water to ease the ache, then bent her head, biting through the rope on her wrists.
The fibers snapped.
She fixed her tangled hair in the mirror, then deliberately loosened the top buttons of her shirt, exposing one pale shoulder.
Her reflection made her sneer at herself. But she had no choice.
Barefoot, her steps were light and deliberate, like a cat sneaking through the dark–graceful but dangerous.
“What are you doing?”
The voice startled her. Liam was at the kitchen, getting water, his gaze darkening at the sight of her.
Sophie’s heart jolted, but she steadied herself. She slid her shirt further down, baring her slender neck and collarbones.
“I was just coming to find you.”
Her voice was deliberately soft, coy.
Liam didn’t move. Ever since the accident, he had lost all function in that part of himself. At first, neither he nor Lena had wanted to believe it, trying everything they could–but nothing worked.
Now, faced with Sophie’s act, shame and anger mixed inside him.
“Sophie, you know I can’t. Are you mocking me?”
“You’re overthinking.”
She glided to his side, lashes lowered, the sweep of her hair brushing his ear as she leaned in to take the glass from his hand.
17:45
A strange, long–buried spark shot through him. His body reacted–something he thought impossible.
Sophie noticed the flicker in his eyes. Disgust twisted in her gut. She had only intended to distract him long enough to steal the phone. She hadn’t expected him to actually respond.
Still, she kept going.
Her finger traced the rim of the glass, sliding it down his chest, water spilling cool across him. But his body only grew hotter.
He didn’t look at her shoulder. His gaze burned into her belly.
That child wasn’t his–it was Marcus’s. His perfect, untouchable uncle. And yet here she was, lowering herself before him. If Marcus saw this…
The thought only stoked the fire in him.
But Sophie’s mind was elsewhere. Her free hand slipped into his pocket, fingertips brushing the phone–almost free.
Then, suddenly, his grip clamped around her wrist.
“What are you sneaking around for?” His breath was hot against her skin.
“I–I wasn’t-” she stammered, snatching her hand back.
Liam pulled out the phone, setting it deliberately on the table, a dangerous smirk curling his lips.
“Sophie, I never thought I’d feel this way about a woman again.”
His eyes gleamed. “How about we make a deal?”
Sophie straightened, her tone sharp. “What kind of deal?”
“Leave them–my mother, Lena. We’ll run away together. I’ll take Marcus’s empire, become head of the family. Everything he can give you, I can give too. More–I’m younger. I understand you better. And Marcus? He’s never given you a name, and maybe never will. But I will. I’ll marry you. You’ll be my wife. You’ll be Mrs. Wallace.”
Her laugh was cold. “Leave them? You mean your mother–and Lena, who’s carrying your child?”
“Yes. You don’t like them, I’ll hand them over to Marcus. From then on, it’s just you and me.” His smile turned feverish.
Sophie’s revulsion was almost physical. “Liam, Lena’s carrying your baby. Don’t you fear any retribution for saying this?”
He leaned forward, voice husky. “Sophie, for the first time in years, I feel something. If we try, you can give me a child of my own. That one she carries–I never planned to keep it.”
A trembling voice cut through the room.
“Liam…what did you just say?”
They turned. Lena stood pale as a ghost, Irene clutching her arm. Both faces were masks of shock.
“It’s you, Sophie! You seduced Liam, you’re destroying us!” Lena screamed. “I’ll kill you!”
She lunged–but Liam wheeled forward, blocking her path.
Lena froze, her whole body shaking.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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