Liam sat at his desk, staring out the window of his penthouse, the city sprawling beneath him in a sea of lights. His hands were clasped tightly together, his fingers tapping the smooth surface of his desk as his mind raced. Everything had changed in the last few weeks. Amelia, the one thing that had kept his focus sharp, the one person who had slipped under his armor and made him feel something he hadn't felt in years—was slipping away.
He hadn't meant to let it happen. He had always been in control, always had the upper hand, especially when it came to matters of the heart. But Amelia… she was different. She had this way of making him second-guess himself, making him feel vulnerable in ways he didn't like.
The more he tried to pull her closer, the more she seemed to pull away. And it was driving him mad.
He ran a hand through his dark, tousled hair and stood up from his desk, his sharp eyes narrowing as he paced back and forth across the room. The image of her standing in that café with Julian—so close to him, her eyes locked with his—had haunted him for days. He knew Julian was playing his own game, and while he didn't underestimate him, there was something else at play here. Amelia's heart, her mind, were drifting further from him with each passing day.
It wasn't just about winning her over anymore. It was about keeping her. Keeping her in his life, in his world, and making sure she never left. She had become a part of his carefully curated existence, and the thought of losing her, of seeing her slip through his fingers, was unbearable.
Liam's phone buzzed on his desk, breaking his train of thought. He glanced at the screen—his assistant, Emily, had sent a text message.
"Ms. Hale is in the building. She's requested a meeting."
He didn't hesitate. He didn't even think about it. He grabbed his coat from the back of his chair and headed out of his office, making his way to the elevator. His mind was already racing, strategizing. What would he say to her? How would he make her see that he was the one who could give her everything—everything that Julian couldn't?
As the elevator doors opened, he stepped out and strode through the hallway toward the conference room where Amelia was waiting. He had prepared for this moment. He had prepared for every conversation, every move he would make. The plan was simple: show her that she belonged with him. That he could offer her a future that was secure, powerful, and full of promise.
When he reached the conference room, he paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. This was it. The final step. He pushed the door open.
Amelia was sitting at the large wooden table, her back straight, her hands folded in front of her. She looked composed, but Liam could see the tension in her posture. She was avoiding eye contact, and he could sense the walls she had started to build around herself. It frustrated him, but it also fueled his determination. She was still here, still within his reach. He wasn't going to let her slip away.
"Amelia," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge. "I'm glad you could make it."
She looked up at him, her eyes betraying a hint of uncertainty, but she masked it quickly. "I wasn't sure what you wanted to talk about, Liam," she replied coolly, though he could detect the faint tremor in her voice. She wasn't as composed as she pretended to be.
Liam walked across the room and took a seat across from her, leaning forward slightly. "I think you know why I asked you to meet," he said, his eyes locking onto hers. "We need to talk about where this is going."
Amelia's brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not sure what you mean."
Liam's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "You and I both know there's something between us, Amelia. The question is, what are we going to do about it?"
She looked away, her gaze drifting to the window for a moment before she met his eyes again. "Liam, I've been thinking a lot lately. About everything. About where my life is headed, and about the choices I need to make."
Liam's heart tightened. He knew what she was doing. She was pulling back. She was trying to distance herself, just as she had done over the past few weeks. But he wasn't going to let her. Not now, not after everything they had been through.
"Amelia," he said softly, leaning closer. "I know I've been… intense. I know I've made mistakes. But I've never been more certain of anything in my life than I am about us. You belong with me."
Her eyes flickered, and for a brief moment, Liam saw a crack in her armor. He pushed forward.
"I'm offering you something, Amelia," he continued, his voice lowering, almost intimate. "A life that's secure. A future that's powerful. We both know what this world can offer, and together, we could have everything."
She was silent for a moment, her lips pressed together as though she was weighing his words. He could see the conflict in her eyes, and it only fueled his drive.
"I know it's not easy for you to trust me," he added, his voice softer now. "But I'll make it easy. I'll show you that I can give you everything you've ever wanted, everything you deserve."
Amelia looked at him for a long moment, her gaze searching, as if trying to read him, trying to understand him. But Liam didn't look away. He wasn't going to back down. Not now.
"I don't know, Liam," she said finally, her voice trembling just slightly. "I don't know if I can trust you again. After everything that's happened, after everything I've learned…"
Her words hung in the air, a reminder of the distance that had grown between them. But Liam wasn't deterred. He had never backed down from a challenge, and this was no different.
"I understand your doubts, Amelia," he said, his voice steady. "But I promise you, I will prove to you that I'm worth it. I'll show you that I'm the man who can give you what you need. I'm not going anywhere."
Her eyes softened, but the doubt was still there, lurking beneath the surface. Liam knew that he had to give her a reason to believe him, a reason to trust him again.
"Let me prove it to you," he said, his voice a quiet command. "Give me a chance. Let me show you that I can be the man you need."
Amelia hesitated, her fingers tapping lightly on the table. For a moment, Liam thought she might pull away again. But then, finally, she looked at him, her expression unreadable.
"I don't know if I can," she whispered. "But I'm willing to try."
Liam felt a surge of triumph flood through him, though he kept his face impassive. This was the opening he had been waiting for. This was his chance to seal the deal.
"I won't let you down," he said, his voice firm but filled with an undeniable intensity.
Amelia didn't respond right away, but she didn't need to. Her body language had shifted, just slightly, but enough for Liam to know that he had made progress. He had won the first battle. Now, it was time to win the war.
As the conversation continued, Liam knew that this was just the beginning. The stakes were higher than ever, but he was ready for the fight. He was determined to make her his, and this time, nothing was going to stand in his way.