CHAPTER TWENTY

KILLIAN’S POV

Just as I stepped out of my office, my phone started ringing. I almost ignored it. But then I saw the caller ID.

It was Mother.

“Mom?b” /bI answered quickly.

“Killian… it’s byour /bstepdad… he… he had a heart attack.”

I froze.

“Whatb??/bb!/bb” /b

“He copsed this morning. It was so sudden. The ambnce just left… Killian, I’m scared. Pleasee quick. Please…”

My heart started to pound.

“I’m on my wayb,/b” I said without thinking, already heading to the elevator.

But she kept talking, her voice trembling harder now. “Before he passed out… he… he mentioned Liana’s name. He said her

name, Killian. Over and over again. I think… I think he wants to see her before-b” /b

My grip on the phone tightened. My throat burned.

“Mom… Ib–/bI’lle now. I’ll be there.b” /b

She was crying harder now. “He wants to see her. Please, Killian, if you know where she is… bring her before anything worse

happens.”

I closed my eyes. My jaw clenched. I couldn’t even speak.

Because I hadn’t told mother I’d found Liana.

“Please please find her,” she begged, her voice breaking. “He needs her.”

“I’ll bring her,” I whispered. “I promise byou/bb, /bMom. I’ll find her.”

I ended the call and just stood there for a second, trying to breathe. The guilt I felt before now felt like a damn mountain

crashing on my chest.

I ran to the parking lot, got into my car and mmed the door shut. My hands were shaking as bI /bstarted the engine.

I picked up my phone again.

Liana’s number

It rang

Once

Twice

No answer

Pick up, Liana pleaseb,/bb” /bI muttered, my voice raw.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

I gripped the steering wheel, my jaw tight. “Damn it!”

I drove off. I didn’t even know where to start. I just knew I had to find her. I had to fix this. I had to get her to her father.

My phone was still in my hand. I tried her number again while turning into the main road.

Still no answerb. /b

“Fuckb!/bb” /bbI /bshouted, mming my hand against the wheel. “I did this. This is my fault. She won’t even look at me now. How the hell am I supposed to face her after what I did?”

My chest ached as I drove through the city, eyes scanning every corner, every

she would go.

But I had to find her.

Because her father might not survive.

And he wanted to see his daughter.

And I… I just might have ruined herst chance to say goodbye.

every crowd. I didn’t even know where

Liana’s POV

“Liana?b” /b

The voice was familiarb, /bso familiar it was as if it tightened my chest the moment I heard it. I was standing in line at the pharmacyb, /bjust about to pay for the morning–after pill. My hands were trembling slightly as I clutched the little box in my palm, making it feel heavier than it was.

I turned slowly.

“Simonb?/bb” /b

He was standing there, just a few feet away, looking better than I remembered. His pictures didn’t do him justiceb. /bTall, fit, sharp jawline, kind eyes and a smile that could easily make a girl blush. He wasn’t as intimidating or striking as Killian, no, but he was charming Very much so.

“Liana“” he said again, and before I could say anything, he walked up and wrapped me in a hug.

I stood still. My arms hung awkwardly by my side while he held me tightly.

“Wow You’re really here,” he whispered, pulling back just enough to look at me. b“/bGod, bI’ve /bwaited so long to meet you.”

I offered a small smile “Hi. bIt’s/b… been a crazy day.b” /b

He looked at the box in my hand and I hid it quickly. “Are you feeling okay? What’re you buying?b” /b

I blinked “Just some painkillersb. /bI have a headacheb./bb” /b

“Same,” he said with a soft chuckle. b“/bbJet /bg is killing meb. /bbI /bjustnded this morning Didn’t think I’d run into you like this.

What a small world”

I nodded slowly, still trying to process the coincidence

“So where are you staying?” I asked

b20 /b

“A hotel just a few blocks away. It’s quiet, not too fancy, but it’ll do. I was actually nning to call youter today. Guess fate

had other ns.”

He grinned and reached for my hand, giving it a little squeeze before letting go.

wow.”

b“/bI’m so

d to see you, Liana. You look…

“Thanks. You too.”

“There’s a café around the corner,” he said. “Let’s sit and catch up a

I’ve missed talking to you face to face.”

I hesitated, then gave a small nod. “bOkay/b. Sure.”

We left the pharmacy after Simon paid for both his pills and mine, then made our way to the café together. When we got

there, he stepped ahead and opened the door for me without a word, his hand lingering just long enough for our eyes to meet.

Such a gentleman.

He even pulled out my chair as I sat. He ordered ck coffee. I got something sweet, with cream and vani syrup. I needed

something that tasted sweet.

“I can’t believe it’s byou/b,” Simon said, smiling at me from across the table. “I was seriously nervous about today. What if byou /b

looked different? What if it was awkward? But it’s not awkward at all.”

I smiled faintly. b“/bYeah.”

b“/bYou okay though? You seem distracted.”

I shook my head a little. “It’s just… been a rough morning.”

****

He leaned closer. “I figured something was off when bI /bcalled and someone else answered. Who was that, by the bway/bb?/bb” /b

bI /bpaused. “Just… no one important.”

ひみう

He raised a brow but didn’t push. “You know, you can talk to me, right? I know we’ve been dating online for a while but I’m

here now. For you.”

I noddedb. /b“Thanks.”

He reached for my hand again, his thumb brushing softly over bmy /bknuckles.

I lensed

Simon was nice. Kind Handsome. Funny. He was the kind of man any woman would be lucky to haveb, /bbut I wasn’t just any

woman. And Simon… he just wasn’t it. A week ago I would’ve sworn I had feelings for him, or at least that I could.

But now? I felt… nothing.

No butterflies No chemistry. No spark.

My mind was drifting. Back to Killian. Back to the things he did. The things he said. The way he made me bfeel/b. Angry

Ashamed Loved Broken Everything All at once.

What kind of messed up person thinks about the man who just hurt her while sitting in front of the man who was supposed

to love her right? How could I even think about him after everything? bAfter /bwhat he didb? /b

I shook my head and tried to focus on Simon’s voice again

*. and once bI /bget settled, I’d really love to meet Ryan,” he was saying “I know I’m not his dad or anything, but I’d still like bto /bknow him Maybe we could all do something fun together-”

20

My phone buzzed.

Killian.

I declined the call immediately.

It buzzed again.

I declined it again, my jaw tightening.

Then I switched it to vibrate and ced it face–down on the table.

“bSorry /babout that,” I said.

Simon nodded, still smiling. “It’s okay. So, where were we? Right… Ryan. I just feel like it’s tim you rece anyone, I swear, I just want to be there for you. Both of you.”

know? I’m not trying

bto /b

I forced augh at something he said, but it sounded hollow, even to my own ears.

I tried to focus. Really tried. But everything inside me was screaming that this wasn’t right. That Simon, no matter how kind

or perfect, wasn’t the one.

He leaned forward again, gently took my hand in his, and then… slowly started to lean in. His lips aimed for mine.

“Liana.”

That voicei. /i

bMy /bstomach dropped.

I turned slowly.

Killian stood right beside us, his body tense, his eyes burning with fury. His jaw was clenched, nostrils ring, fists tight at

his sides.

“Killian,” I breathed, stepping back.

Simon looked confusedb. /b“Who is this bguy/bb?/bb” /b

I yanked my hand out of Simon’s grasp and stood up quickly.

My heart was thudding in my chest bso /bloud I could barely think.

Because I knew Killian!

And I knew that look.