Chapter 26: Falling asleep in the bathtub

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon.

Sofia stood tall.

She'd guarded the gate, accept her punishment.

Liam walk out of the estate walking towards her.

Her body was weak, but she gritted her teeth, remembering Liam spent the night with Emilia—or someone else.

Pain simmered beneath her surface.

Sofia's eyes flashed with determination.

She pushed Liam away.

"Don't touch me," she hissed.

Liam's eyes narrowed.

"little devil, you're—"

"Exhausted?" Sofia finished, her voice laced with venom.

"Yes. From guarding the gate. Not from your nocturnal activities."

Liam's expression darkened. "What are you insinuating?"

Sofia's gaze locked onto his. "Don't play dumb. I know where you were tonight."

Liam's jaw clenched.

"That's none of your concern."

Sofia's laughter was bitter.

"None of my concern? I know and you even make it clear in Your rules but it my concern as a person and a young lady I am."

The air was thick with tension.

Liam's eyes flashed with warning.

"Sofia, stop."

But Sofia wouldn't back down. "Who was she, Liam? Emilia?"

Liam's face twisted."You have no right—"

"I have every right," Sofia spat.

"You demanded my loyalty. Now show me yours."

Liam's eyes blazed.

"You want loyalty? You won't get it. and don't think you can dictate my actions."

The standoff continued.

Who would yield first?

As the standoff continued, the air grew heavier.

Sofia's determination never wavered. "I won't back down, Liam. You want me to follow your rules, but you disregard my feelings."

Liam's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're pushing boundaries, little devil."

"Boundaries you set," Sofia countered, her voice firm. "But I won't be silenced. I deserve respect to."

The silence that followed was oppressive.

Liam's gaze never left Sofia's, his expression unyielding.

Sofia's heart pounded, but she stood firm.

Suddenly, Liam's face softened.

He took a step closer, his voice low. "Sofia, listen—"

"No," Sofia interrupted, her hand raised. "You listen. I know what I saw. What I felt. You can't deny it."

Liam's eyes narrowed. "What do you want from me?"

Sofia's voice trembled. "The truth. Loyalty. Love."

Liam's face twisted. "Love?" he repeated.

"Yes," Sofia whispered. "Love."

The word hung in the air, a challenge.

Liam's eyes searched Sofia's, his expression unreadable.

Would he yield?

Would Sofia's courage be rewarded?

Or would the darkness between them consume everything?

---

He stared at this little devil without saying a word and picked her up.

Sofia's eyes widened in shock as Liam scooped her up, his arms wrapping tightly around her.

"Put me down!" she screamed, struggling against his grip.

Liam ignored her protests, his gaze fixed ahead as he strode towards the estate.

Sofia's fists pounded against his chest. "Liam, stop! This isn't funny."

His silence unnerved her.

The estate's doors swung open, and Liam carried Sofia inside.

"Where are you taking me?" Sofia demanded.

Liam remained silent.

They reached the staircase, and Liam began ascending.

Sofia's anger turned to fear.

"Let me go, Liam!" she shouted.

They reached the top floor, and Liam kicked open the door to his room.

He deposited Sofia on the bed.

She scrambled to escape, but Liam pinned her down.

Their faces inches apart, Sofia's chest heaved.

Liam's eyes blazed with intensity.

Sofia's heart pounded.

"What did you just say outside?" Liam whispered, his breath tickling Sofia's ear. "You want love? Let me grant your demands."

Sofia's eyes widened in horror. "That's not what I meant!" she protested, her heart pounding.

Liam's cunning smile sent shivers down her spine.

Sofia's body felt weak, her muscles aching from the punishment of guarding the estate. Her weak and tired body made her lightheaded.

"No, Liam, please," Sofia begged, her voice trembling.

Liam's eyes gleamed with amusement. "You're exhausted, little devil. I can see it."

Sofia's gaze darted around the room, searching for an escape.

Liam's grip tightened. "Don't think of running. You're mine now."

Sofia's panic spiked. "What do you want from me?"

Liam's whisper sent shivers down her spine. "Everything."

Sofia's heart sank. Was she trapped?

Would Liam's darkness consume her?

"Please, I'm already exhausted," Sofia begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've already guarded your estate. I know you're a kind-hearted man, you won't want to do anything to a weak woman like me."

Liam's expression twisted, his eyes flashing with darkness.

"You think you can play the victim card with me?" he sneered.

Sofia's eyes widened as Liam's grip tightened.

"I do anything to anyone, even if you are a weak woman," he growled, his breath hot against her skin. "I'm not kind-hearted. I'm not the old Liam you knew in the past."

His lips crushed hers, biting down on her lower lip.

Sofia's eyes turned red, tears welling up.

She tried to push him away, but Liam's grip was unyielding.

The pain and fatigue overwhelmed her.

Just as Sofia thought she'd pass out, Liam released her lip.

Their gazes locked, Sofia's pleading and Liam's fierce.

"Why are you doing this?" Sofia whispered.

Liam's smile sent shivers down her spine.

"Because you did it go me in the past. maybe let's call a revenge," he whispered back.

Sofia's heart sank. his right she did it to him in the past.

Was she trapped in Liam's trap?

Would she find a way to escape?

Or succumb to his possession?

---

Liam stared at Sofia's tears-filled face, his expression unyielding. He stood up, his face turning expressionless as he looked away.

"Go and take a shower," he said coldly. "You're disgusting."

Sofia's tears faltered, replaced by hurt and anger.

"And don't forget my contract rules," Liam reminded her, his voice devoid of emotion.

He glanced at her with a mocking gaze.

"You think I'll touch you?" He sneered. "Dream on."

With that, Liam walked away, leaving Sofia shattered.

She remained frozen, tears streaming down her face.

The silence was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words.

Sofia's thoughts swirled:

Why did Liam's words cut so deep?

Was she just a contract to him?

Would she ever make him forgive and forget what happened between them in the past?

As the minutes ticked by, Sofia's resolve hardened.

She wiped away her tears.

"I won't break," she whispered.

With newfound determination, Sofia stood up.

She walked to the shower, the water washing away her tears.

But the pain lingered.

As Sofia stood under the warm shower, her exhaustion finally caught up with her.

Her body felt like lead, her muscles screaming in protest.

The water cascaded down, washing away her tears and fatigue.

But Sofia's legs gave out, and she slid down the shower tub.

Her head thudded against the bathtub, and her eyes drooped.

Despite the warmth, Sofia shivered.

Her mind fogged, and darkness crept in.

She fell asleep, right there in the shower.

The water continued to flow, a soothing melody.

Sofia's body relaxed, surrendering to its exhaustion.

Hours passed.

The water eventually turned cold.

Liam walked into his room, expecting to see Sofia sleeping form.

But she was nowhere to be found.

His gaze swept the space, his frown deepening.

The sound of rushing water still echoed from the bathroom.

after weting and calling her somany times, without receiving any response from inside the bathroom.

Liam's stride quickened, his heart rate accelerating.

He pushed open the bathroom door.

Steam billowed out, obscuring his vision.

As it cleared, Liam's eyes landed on Sofia.

She lay slumped against the bathtub, fast asleep.

Water cascaded down, soaking her limp body.

Liam's expression transformed from annoyance to concern.

He swiftly turned off the water.

Gently, Liam lifted Sofia and wrapped her in a towel, cradling her in the bathtub.

As he looked at her, Sofia's peaceful face softened his features.

For a moment, Liam's mask slipped, revealing a glimmer of his emotion.

But his expression hardened again.

Don't get distracted, he told himself.

Liam's gaze lingered on Sofia's face.

What was he doing?

Why did he still care?

---

after ours of sleeping.

Sofia slowly sat up, groggily recalling her surroundings.

She remembered falling asleep in the bathtub, but now she found herself in Liam's bed.

Her body shuddered at the thought.

As she looked down at herself, Sofia's cheeks flushed.