Liam’s POV
From the moment the limousine doors closed behind us after the gala, I felt the familiar hum of control slip slightly. Outwardly, everything had gone flawlessly. Cameras, smiles, small talk, the perfectly orchestrated illusion of sophistication and warmth — executed with precision. But beneath the surface, a storm was brewing.
I studied Sadie in the low light of the car. She sat upright, composed, hands folded neatly in her lap. Every gesture, every subtle movement, was deliberate, but the tension radiating off her like heat from a flame was undeniable. She was trying not to show it, trying to maintain poise, and yet… I had learned early on to notice details. Nothing escaped me.
She was human. Too human. Too alive. And that was the problem.
I leaned back, letting the leather
