30

As the first rays of dawn crept through the curtains, Liam stirred from his fitful sleep. His head throbbed with the remnants of last night's whiskey-fueled haze, but the weight of Maya's departure still hung heavy on his shoulders. With a heavy sigh, he dragged himself out of bed and stumbled toward the window.

The city below was just beginning to wake up, the streets still shrouded in the quiet embrace of the early morning. Liam's thoughts drifted back to Maya, her decision to leave echoing in his mind like a mournful melody. He couldn't shake the feeling of loss that gnawed at his heart, nor the nagging doubts that plagued his thoughts.

As Liam prepared to face another day without Maya by his side, the mansion bustled with activity. The staff moved about with practised efficiency, but there was an undercurrent of tension in the air. Liam's absence had not gone unnoticed, and whispers of concern rippled through the household.

---

The early morning silence enveloped him as he made his way to his car, the crunch of snow beneath his boots echoing in the stillness of the dawn.

The drive to the airport was a blur, his mind consumed by thoughts of Emily's arrival and the plan he had set in motion. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling of guilt for deceiving Maya, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

---

Meanwhile, at the airport, Liam's car pulled up to the arrivals terminal with a sense of urgency. He scanned the bustling crowd, his heart pounding in his chest as he searched for a familiar face. And then, amidst the throng of travellers, he spotted her – a vision of elegance and grace.

Emily made her way through the crowd, her radiant smile lighting up the bustling terminal. She looked effortlessly elegant in a chic winter coat, her hair cascading in golden waves around her shoulders.

"Emily!" Liam called out, a wide grin spreading across his face as he rushed forward to greet her.

Emily's eyes lit up with joy as she spotted him, her smile radiant as she enveloped him in a warm embrace.

"Liam!" Emily exclaimed. "It's been too long!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine affection.

Liam hugged her tightly, relief flooding through him at the sight of her safe and sound. "I've missed you, Em," he murmured, pulling back to look at her. "Ready for some Christmas magic?"

Emily nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Absolutely. And who's this mystery lady you've been talking about?"

Liam chuckled, leading Emily towards the exit. "You'll see soon enough. Let's get you settled in first."

As they drove through the busy roads, Liam filled Emily in on the plan, explaining how he hoped Maya would see them together and reconsider her decision to leave.

"You're sure about this, Liam?" Emily asked, concern etched in her features. "It seems like a risky move."

Liam sighed, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I know, but I can't let Maya go without a fight. And if this doesn't work... well, at least I'll know I tried."

Emily nodded in understanding, her gaze drifting out the window as they neared the beauty spa. "Just be careful, okay? I don't want to see you get hurt."

Liam gave her a grateful smile, appreciating her concern. "I will. Thanks, Em."

----

Back at the mansion, Maya's heart ached with the weight of uncertainty as she went about her morning routine. The absence of Liam's reassuring presence left a gaping hole in her chest, and she couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that clung to her like a heavy shroud.

As the hours passed, the worry among the staff grew with each passing minute. Madison, too, seemed unusually subdued, her usually cheerful demeanour overshadowed by the absence of her father. Maya did her best to reassure the young girl, but her own doubts lingered like a dark cloud on the horizon.

"Where could he have gone until this hour?" one maid fretted, wringing her hands in worry.

"I hope he's alright," another chimed in, her brow furrowed with concern.

Finally, as the sun began its descent toward the horizon, Liam's car pulled into the driveway of the mansion. Relief washed over the staff as they caught sight of their boss, his weary form a welcome sight after a day of uncertainty.

Liam stepped out of the car, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips as he made his way toward the front door. The tension that had gripped the household dissipated in an instant, replaced by a palpable sense of relief.

As he stepped into the foyer, Liam was greeted by the concerned faces of the staff, their worry evident in their eyes. He offered them a reassuring nod and a grateful smile, silently thanking them for their unwavering support.

With a sense of purpose, Liam made his way through the mansion, his footsteps echoing in the empty halls. And then, as he reached his room, he paused, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Without a word, Liam swung open the door, revealing the elegant figure of a woman standing beside him. "Everyone, this is Emily," he announced, his voice filled with pride. "She'll be joining us for Christmas."

The staff exchanged puzzled glances, their confusion evident as they greeted Emily with polite smiles and murmured welcomes. Maya observed the scene from a distance, her curiosity piqued by the arrival of the mysterious woman.

Maya's jaw dropped in disbelief as she struggled to process the sudden revelation. She felt a knot form in her stomach as she realized the implications of Emily's presence – she wasn't just a guest, she was someone significant to Liam.

Emily's smile widened as she greeted Maya with warmth, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "It's lovely to meet you, Maya," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "Liam has told me so much about you and Ryan."

Maya forced a smile in return, her heart pounding with uncertainty. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Emily's presence than met the eye, but she pushed aside her doubts, unwilling to let her emotions get the best of her.

Emily's presence seemed to cast a spell over the room, her beauty and charm captivating everyone she encountered. From her perfectly styled hair to her impeccable attire, she exuded an aura of sophistication that left Maya feeling intimidated.

As Liam introduced Emily, Maya couldn't help but notice the genuine affection between them. Madison's eyes lit up at the sight of Emily, her familiarity with the woman evident as she hugged her tightly.

"Emily! I missed you so much!" Madison exclaimed, her joy infectious as she led Emily into the mansion.

Maya observed the interaction with a mixture of surprise and confusion. She had never seen Madison connect so deeply with anyone outside of her immediate family, and Emily's presence seemed to unlock a side of the girl Maya had never seen before.

As dinner commenced, Maya found herself seated across from Liam and Emily, their animated conversation filling the room. Despite her efforts to engage in the discussion, Maya felt like an outsider, the invisible barrier between her and Liam growing with each passing moment.

Emily caught her staring and cleared her throat to speak.

"So, Maya, tell us about yourself," Emily said, her tone friendly as she turned her attention to Maya. "Liam has told me so much, but I'd love to hear it from you."

Maya shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the weight of Emily's gaze making her feel exposed. "There's not much to tell, really," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just Madison's nanny."

Emily's smile faltered slightly, her brow furrowing in confusion. "But Liam mentioned that you were much more than that," she said, her gaze flickering to Liam before returning to Maya. "He said you were like family."

Maya's heart skipped a beat at Emily's words, a flicker of hope igniting within her.

Could it be that Liam still cared for her, despite everything?

Before Maya could respond, Liam intervened, his tone light as he steered the conversation away from dangerous territory. "Forget it, Em. Tonight is about you."

Emily shifted her gaze to Liam and smiled sweetly at his words.

"So, Emily, tell us about your flight," Liam prompted, his tone warm as he turned his attention to his companion.

Emily smiled, her eyes lighting up as she recounted her journey. "It was quite smooth, actually. And I couldn't wait to see you and Madison again. I've missed you both so much since last year's summer."

Maya's heart sank at the mention of Emily's familiarity with Liam and Madison. She wondered how deep their connection ran, her mind swirling with unanswered questions.

"I'm glad you're here," Liam said, reaching across the table to squeeze Emily's hand. "It wouldn't feel like Christmas without you."

Maya felt a pang of jealousy at the affectionate gesture, her gaze drifting to Madison, who seemed unusually at ease in Emily's presence. She couldn't help but wonder about the bond they shared, a bond that seemed to eclipse her own role in Madison's life.

Maya felt a pang of jealousy at the easy camaraderie between Liam and Emily, her own insecurities bubbling to the surface.

As the dinner progressed, Maya found herself retreating further into her own thoughts, the chatter around her fading into the background. She excused herself, Ryan in tow.

"Goodnight, everyone," Maya said, her voice barely above a whisper as she left the dining room.

No one seemed to notice her departure except Madison, who gave her a small wave before turning her attention back to Liam and Emily. Maya sighed, feeling more alone than ever as she retreated to her room with Ryan.

As she sat by the window, Maya tried to push aside the feelings of inadequacy that gnawed at her. She watched the snow fall softly outside, the peaceful scene at odds with the turmoil in her heart.

She just couldn't wait to disappear after Christmas was over.

Okayyyy.

What do you think about Emily?