room,morning light through the window Her mom breathing s

ait for me. I am yours her chest felt tight not from

pened witho

er"Miss Mason," he said Voice low. "He is been downstairs for 4 hours

r legs shook "

from last night, the hospital photo of your mother, the leaked will all he

dropped. "So

ened."But he is not letting them touch you ,he sa

l sleeping Color back in he

up," she

airs wa

me, "Mrs. Rivers! Is the marriage real?" "Di

but Lia heard every word,

he door

n wal

found hers, somet

om went

stop for the board, did not stop for camer

heart h

her face with both hands like she w

said Voice rough. Lik

whispered. " I waited

aw "You should have staye

ding" she said

"Mr. Rivers the shareholders demand an explanation

away from Lia. Not

my heartbeat You want papers? You want proof? I will give you every damn doc

arder than yesterda

about Ava, Mr. Rivers? Wa

ce. He turned, slow, and looked at t

a mistake My mistake for two years I let grief make me cruel I let Claire twist th

thumb brushed L

her eyes than anyone I have ever met. She did not want my money she wanted her m

did not cry she would n

g a ghost and if any of you have a problem with that, you can sell your shares. Be

spers, then camer

d like he had swallowed s

ce. But his hand slid down and la

id. "I am done

Lia through the side door Out to the hospital

ia pulled her hand free ,her

to her Confu

because of Ava not bec

t her like she

cted" He stepped closer "I am tired of careful I chose you when I locked the penthouse

ou regret it? What if one day you

out and tucked her hair behind her

ntract at 2 AM with tears in your eyes because you had do anything for your mom. That you kissed

ch, Too real."I am not perfect," she whispered "I am broke

"I respect you I want you .the fire the w

er eyes tears

thumbs. "Do not cry Not un

he whispered "

d seen from him not the CEO smile not

here,"

nter air and his heartbeat under her ear his arms came around

smelled like coffee and sleepless n

" she admitted

hair "Me too But we are scare

time the world could wait Claire

this two people with too

nd them 20 m

s Mason," she said. Gentle

ped her face fast, "Go," Ethan

ated. "Sta

es softened

. Sunlight on the blanket

he bed older but her eyes we

e's girl," her mom said

ce went h

hed out a shaky hand Lia took it. "He did not leave no

have this moment her mom squeezed Lia's ha

d the city down for her.Who had chosen her in fro

Voice steady "H

sed her eyes. "Then

in Ethan stayed too did not check his pho

ly stood, her l

here is one more thi

e railing. Did not

"To a fund. The money goes to a new hospit

Ethan, you do

ed something money never saved anyone People do you did Y

grief I can not give you a normal life Board meetings, people

closer. "And

aist he pulled her close unt

t care about my last name You get my 3 AM nightm

to his chest.l"That

said "But you

dropped to

she whispered. "

than said then

him back because she was done being scared don

ehead to hers"No more

she Could

ne shouted Probabl

let go he just

gainst her lips. "We have g

e first time in years, tomo

lt lik