Chapter 0019
Aria’s POV
Sophia stormed into Liam’s office, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, the tension rising with each step. I watched from the chair across from Liam’s desk, arms folded, knowing exactly what was coming.
“Liam,” she began, her voice high–pitched, almost whiny, as she rounded the corner of his desk, planting both hands on it as if to
emphasize the gravity of her complaint.
“It’s been *weeks since you’ve visited William.” She dragged out the word weeks, her voice rising. “He’s been asking about you
ever since he got sick. He thinks you don’t care anymore.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Sophia was laying it on thick, playing the victim card as she always did.
Liam, sitting behind his desk, didn’t so much as flinch. His expression remained impassive, unreadable. His hand lingered on the
pen he’d been holding, but he didn’t put it down.
“I’ve been busy, Sophia,” he said flatly, his gaze flicking back to the paperwork as though dismissing her. “You know that.”
“Busy?” she repeated. She straightened up, crossing her arms in mock indignation. “He’s your son! How can you be too busy for
him when he’s been sick?”
I could feel the jab forming in my throat, the words tingling on my tongue, ready to cut through Sophia’s theatrics.
“Funny you should say that,” I interjected smoothly, my tone casual but cutting.
Sophia turned to me, her brows raised, clearly annoyed by my intrusion. I didn’t give her the chance to speak.
“Didn’t you
claim William has a gluten allergy? Yet he’s been eating regular snacks at kindergarten without a problem.” I tilted. my head, the sarcasm in my voice barely concealed. “I mean, if he’s really *that* sick, should he be eating cookies and crackers?”
For a moment, Sophia’s face froze, her cheeks flushing a deep red, and her mouth opened, but no words came out. The silence
was deliciously satisfying
Liam’s eyes turned cold as he finally looked up, his gaze settling first on Sophia and then briefly on me before snapping back to
her.
“My patience has limits, Sophia,” he said, his voice like ice. The air in the room seemed to chill. “Stop having William lie about
being sick.”
Sophia stood there, mouth slightly agape, trying to process Liam’s blunt words. Her anger simmered just beneath the surface, a
storm that could erupt at any second, but for once, she held it in. She looked between the two of us, weighing her options.
It was clear Liam’s words left Sophia wounded
Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the office. The door slammed behind her, sending a loud echo
1/2
+15 Bonus
through the room.
The moment hung in the air between us. I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile,
It wasn’t often that Liam took my side when it came to Sophia, but today, the truth had been impossible to ignore.
I straightened in my chair and glanced at Liam. His expression had softened slightly, the edge of tension slipping away.
“So,” 1 began, seizing the moment. “I’m assuming this means we’re finally terminating the partnership? It’s been dragging on
dis means we’re fina long enough.”
Liam’s brow furrowed, and his fingers resumed tapping lightly on the desk.
“Who said anything about terminating the contract?” His tone was measured, but I could hear the confusion laced within it.
I blinked, thrown off by his response. “What? I thought that’s why you called me in here. To end things–both the business and the marriage.”
He looked at me like I’d just said something completely absurd, his brow knitting together. “Aria, I called you here to figure out what happened with the race and the training. That’s all.”
I could only stare at him, trying to gauge if he was serious. His expression didn’t waver, and I realized, slowly, that I’d misread
the entire situation
