That night, Ava Collins lay awake, unable to sleep.
The board's ultimatum echoed relentlessly in her mind — "Your company or your personal attachments." She could still see the strain in Liam's eyes when he left that meeting.
He had built everything—his reputation, his empire—from the ground up. Now, all of it was at risk because of her.
The thought twisted her stomach with pain.
When her phone buzzed, she didn't need to look; she knew it was him.
> Liam: Can I come over?
Her fingers hovered over the screen before she typed: You shouldn't.
But ten minutes later, there was a knock at her door.
She opened it to find him standing there, drenched from the rain, his eyes filled with conflict. Without saying a word, he stepped inside.
"Ava," he started, his voice low and steady, "I won't let them dictate what we have."
She shook her head, tears shining in her eyes. "Liam, this isn't just about us anymore. It's your company and your future. You can't risk it all for me."
He took her hands in his, his grip firm yet tender. "You're not something I can just discard. You're the only thing that has ever felt real."
Her heart cracked at his words. "And what happens when everyone finds out? When they tear you apart for loving me?"
He exhaled deeply, resting his forehead against hers. "Then let them come. I've weathered worse storms."
Ava closed her eyes, feeling his breath against her lips; his closeness was both comforting and perilous. "You can't take on everyone, Liam."
"Maybe not," he murmured softly, "but I can fight for you."
The silence hung between them like electricity. Her body trembled as he brushed away a tear from her cheek. The moment stretched—fragile and desperate.
Finally, she pulled away, her voice trembling. "You shouldn't be here. You'll only complicate things further."
He stared at her for a long moment—heartbreak reflected in his eyes—then nodded slowly. "If that's what you want."
As the door closed behind him, Ava pressed a hand to her stomach and whispered, "I'm doing this for us."
But as the rain continued to fall outside, she couldn't shake the feeling that protecting Liam might mean losing him forever.