KEIFER’s POV
We sat in a tight, tense circle, the air thick with the kind of silence that precedes a storm.
Percy leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his usual easygoing smirk wiped clean.
“We need to find out what the hell that asshole is planning.” His voice was low, lethal—the kind he only used when he was two seconds from snapping a neck.
“And we need to do it fast.”
Aries exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
“But that’s the problem, isn’t it?” His jaw clenched.
“The way he looked at us—like this was all some fucking game he’d already won. Like Jay marrying him was inevitable.” He slammed a fist into his palm.
“He’s three steps ahead. And we’re still stuck on square one.”
I stared out the window, the afternoon sun too bright, too mocking for the darkness coiling in my gut.
“I already dug into his background.” My voice was flat, cold.
“Too clean. Suspiciously clean.”
Percy’s brows shot up.
“What do you mean?”
“No fights. No detentions. No anything.” I turned back to them, my gaze sharp enough to cut.
“Just a spotless record—good grades, teacher’s pet, model citizen.” I scoffed.
“Bullshit. No one’s that perfect. Especially not a guy who looks at Jay like she’s a prize he’s already claimed.”
Aries’ eyes narrowed.
“You think it’s fabricated?”
“I know it is.” I leaned in, voice dropping to a dangerous murmur.
“Either he paid someone to erase his past… or he was never who he says he is.”
Silence.
The weight of it pressed down on us, heavy as a tombstone.
Percy cracked his knuckles, his playfulness long gone.
“So what now? We can’t just let him waltz around like he owns the place—not when he’s circling Jay like a vulture.”
Aries stood abruptly, pacing like a caged lion.
“We need proof. Something solid. Something that’ll make Jay see him for what he is.”
“And if she doesn’t want to see it?” I countered, the words bitter on my tongue.
“Jay’s not stupid. But she’s…” I hesitated.
“She trusts people. Too damn much.”
Percy snorted.
“Yeah, and that’s exactly what he’s exploiting.”
JAY’s POV
Next morning,me and liam decided to meet at a restaurant.The restaurant was all soft lighting and quiet jazz, the kind of place that whispered romance in every corner.
I smoothed my dress, my stomach twisting with nerves—and something else.
Something like… guilt.
Liam was already there, waiting, a single red rose laid across the table like a cliché from a bad movie.
He stood when he saw me, his smile warm, perfect—the kind that made my heart flutter and my brain scream.
“Jay.” His voice was smooth.
“You look stunning.”
I sat, forcing a smile.
“You didn’t have to get me a rose.”
“Of course I did.” He took my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.
“You deserve everything.”
The café hummed with soft chatter and clinking spoons, the kind of background noise that should’ve been comforting.
Instead, it felt like white noise, drowning out the warning bells in my head.
I poked at my chocolate pastry, the rich sweetness turning to ash in my mouth, while Liam sipped his black coffee—no sugar, no cream, just like his smiles.
Too sharp.
Too undiluted.
Then he said my name.
“Jay.”
His voice was soft.
Serious.
The kind of tone that pretended to be gentle but demanded attention.
I looked up, my fingers stilling over the pastry.
“I know what I’m about to say will sound like I’m rushing things.” His thumbs brushed over my knuckles, his grip just tight enough to keep me from pulling away.
“But please… try to understand.”
A cold prickle ran up my spine.
“Liam, what are you—”
“I want to marry you.” His eyes locked onto mine, dark and unwavering.
“Soon. As soon as possible.”
My heart stuttered.
“Liam, that’s—we just got engaged—”
“I know.” He cut me off, his voice low, urgent.
“I know it sounds like I’m forcing this. But I’ve waited so long, Jay.” His fingers tightened, just barely.
“I love you. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. And now… I can’t wait to be with you.”
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.
There was something wrong with this—something off about the desperation in his eyes, the way his words piled on top of each other like he was afraid I’d escape if he stopped talking.
“Yesterday, when I came to your house…” His jaw clenched.
“The way your brothers looked at me—like I was some villain in your story…” His voice dropped, rough with something raw.
“It made me realize… I still don’t have you. Not really.”
I stared at him, my mind racing.
This wasn’t romantic.
This was possessive.
This was fear wearing the mask of love.
“Please, Jay.” His hands slid up to cradle my wrists, his touch hot, almost painful.
“Let’s get married sooner. Before they can stop us.”
My stomach twisted.
“Liam, we can’t just—”
“Once we’re married,” he interrupted, his voice smooth as a blade, “no one can separate us. No one can tell us no.”
I yanked my hands back, my pulse hammering.
For a second, something dark flickered in his eyes—anger?
frustration?—but it was gone before I could be sure, replaced by wounded hurt.
“Jay…” His voice cracked, just enough to make me doubt myself.
“I’m not trying to scare you. I’m terrified of losing you.”
I exhaled shakily, my fingers trembling around my latte.
He was right—wasn’t he?
My brothers hated him.
My family distrusted him.
And here he was, begging for me to choose him.
I hesitated, my voice barely a whisper.
“I’ll… I’ll talk to them.”
His grip on the table loosened, his shoulders sagging in relief.
“Thank you, Jay.”
“But Liam—” I swallowed hard.
“You have to understand—they’re my family. I can’t just—”
“Convince them.” His smile was soft, but his eyes were cold.
“Make them see how much I love you.”
I nodded, but my skin crawled.
“I’ll… try.”
“Good.” He leaned in, pressing a kiss on back of my hand—too long, too possessive.
“Because I’m not waiting forever, love.”
And just like that, the air turned to ice.
Here’s your new chapter…..
So what do you think…..
What will our Mariano brother and Watson lover will plan to stop this wedding….?
Will Jay talk to her family about this….?
Is Liam really genuine about Jay or we are just missing out the truth…?
Comment below what you think is gonna happen next….let me hear your pretty pretty thoughts
And do comment
Orrrrrrr…..I AM GONNA SUE YOU…..you guys are sooooo lazy—btw me tooo—but…..
c’mon my lazy readers…..
writing a comment won’t hurt….I wanna know…are you really liking my book….or I need to change things….
Soooo…this is me , your lazy writer…
signing off.
Will meet you soon with another chapter….
Leave me your precious comments…..and if you are loving my book….pls save it to your library list….bye bye see yaaaaaaaa….(◠‿◕)