Sophie Evans
I woke up the next day and stared at Liam, my mind tangled in a mess of unanswered questions.
Why did he leave me? Why does he hate Lucas? Why does he want me now?
None of it made sense. No matter how many times I replayed the past in my head, I couldn’t connect the pieces.
But what haunted me the most was last night. I had given myself to him.
A part of me wanted to slap myself for being so reckless, for allowing emotions to cloud my judgment. But another part, the colder, more rational side, whispered that it was necessary.
Liam had already given me the money. And my body? Maybe that was just another way to repay him.
A bitter laugh almost escaped my lips, but I swallowed it down. The sharp chime of the doorbell startled me. I quickly pulled a loose shirt over my head and rushed to open it.
James stood there, looking as calm and composed as always.
“Where’s Liam?” he asked, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
“Sleeping,” I muttered, pulling my sleeves over my hands.
James’s eyes widened, and for a split second, I thought he knew.
Heat crawled up my face, and I turned away, embarrassed. But before I could overthink it, he spoke again.
“He’s sleeping?” he repeated in disbelief.
I frowned. “Yes. Why?”
James let out a slow breath, shaking his head. “Liam hasn’t been able to sleep for years. I mean, really sleep. Not without medication, not without drowning himself in work or alcohol.”
I blinked, stunned. Liam, the man who always seemed so in control, so untouchable, had trouble sleeping?
Something about that revelation unsettled me.
James knew a lot about Liam, far more than I did. And suddenly, I had the overwhelming urge to find out why.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed James by the wrist and pulled him outside. He didn’t resist, only giving me a curious look as I led him down to the courtyard.
I pushed him under the shaded tent and sat across from him. My heart pounded, but I ignored it.
“James,” I said, my voice firmer than I expected. “Do you know anything about me or my brother? Did Liam ever talk to you about us?”
His jaw tightened. He looked away. Then, hesitantly, he nodded.
My stomach clenched. He knows.
This was my chance. The truth had been dangling in front of me for so long, just out of reach. But now? Now I could finally grasp it.
“What do you know?” I pressed, leaning forward. “Please, James. Tell me.”
He exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t, Sophie.”
My heart dropped. “Why not?”
“Because if I do, Liam will ruin me.” His voice was firm, but there was something almost apologetic in his eyes.
Desperation clawed at my throat. I couldn’t let this slip away.
“James, please,” I pleaded. “I need to know. I deserve to know.”
He shook his head again, his lips pressed into a thin line.
I was about to insist, to keep pushing, when a familiar voice cut through the air like a blade.
“What do you want to know, Sophie?”
I froze. Slowly, I turned around.
Liam stood behind me, arms crossed, his face unreadable. His gaze locked onto mine, dark and intense, like he had already heard every word.
My pulse thundered in my ears.