Sophie Evans
Vanessa stood in front of me, looking like she had just stepped out of a magazine cover. Her crimson dress hugged her curves perfectly, her long brown hair falling over her shoulders in waves. But it wasn’t her beauty that held my attention, it was the way she looked at me. Pure venom.
She scanned me from head to toe, her gaze sharp and mocking.
"Didn’t know you had a thing for plain-looking girls," she sneered, turning to Liam with a smirk.
Liam’s grip on my waist tightened a silent warning. "Stop it."
I swallowed, my pulse hammering. What had I just walked into?
Vanessa’s expression darkened. "This isn’t real, is it? You’re doing this to fool the press, well not me, darling.”
My fists clenched, but I forced myself to stay calm. I knew what this was. A power struggle. And I was caught in the middle of it.
I needed to remember why I was here, my brother.
Liam pulled me closer, his grip firm and possessive. "I hope this clarifies everything, Vanessa. You are no longer my fiancee, so stop acting like one.”
Vanessa let out a bitter laugh. "This is so pathetic."
Liam arched a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Vanessa’s jaw clenched. "Come on, Liam. You’re only trying to make me jealous."
Liam didn’t reply. Instead, he turned me to face him, his fingers gently lifting my chin. My breath caught as I realized how close he was.
My heart pounded. Was he about to—?
I thought he was just going to lean in, just close enough to sell the act. Maybe whisper something to make her storm out.
But then he kissed me. Not a fake, staged kiss. Not something just for show. But a real kiss.
His lips moved against mine with a certainty that sent a shockwave through my body. It wasn’t rushed or demanding. It was deliberate. Unapologetic. As if he had every right to claim me like this.
I heard Vanessa suck in a sharp breath. Heard the huff of irritation before she groaned. "You’re unbelievable.”
The door opened, then slammed shut behind her.
But Liam didn’t stop. Neither did I.