Chapter 52
Liam's POV
I pace the office, glancing at the clock. It’s late, and my assistant should have been back with an update by now. This investigation—it’s taking longer than I expected, and the lack of progress is grating on me.
There’s something off about Joe’s birth records, something that doesn’t add up. The more I think about it, the more it gnaws at me, like a puzzle with missing pieces that refuse to fit together.
The door swings open, and my assistant walks in, looking harried. She has a folder clutched in her hands, but her expression tells me everything I need to know.
"I checked the databases again," she says, her voice tight with apology. "There’s nothing. No new leads, no additional records beyond what we’ve already found."
I rub my temples, the frustration mounting. "That can’t be right," I mutter, more to myself than to her. "There’s something we’re missing. There has to be."
"I’ve exhausted every official channel," she replies carefully, stepping forward to place the folder on my desk. "Without a court order or some other legal intervention, there’s not much else I can do."
I shake my head, my patience wearing thin.
"No, this doesn’t make sense. I want you to dig deeper. Look into private databases, reach out to anyone who might have connections. There’s always a way to find information—it just depends on how much you’re willing to push."
She hesitates, clearly uncomfortable with the request. "I’ll see what I can do," she says finally, though her tone tells me she’s already doubtful.
"Good," I say, dismissing her with a wave of my hand. "I expect a report by the end of the week."
Once she’s gone, I sink into my chair, staring down at the paperwork scattered across my desk. The records I have in front of me tell one story, but my gut is telling me another.
I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something more—something hidden. I just need to find it.
Later that evening, I’m standing in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie for what feels like the hundredth time.
Tonight is the charity gala, and while it’s just another event on the surface, I know it’s more than that. Aria agreed to go with me—publicly. And that means something.
I pull on my jacket, glancing at my reflection one last time before heading downstairs to where Aria’s waiting. When I see her, it takes me a second to collect myself.
She’s dressed in an elegant black gown that hugs her figure perfectly, her hair swept up in a way that’s both effortless and stunning.
For a moment, I almost forget everything else—the investigation, the frustration, all of it fades into the background.
"Ready?" I ask, keeping my tone casual despite the way my heart is racing.
Aria nods, her expression calm but guarded. "As ready as I’ll ever be."
We leave the house together, stepping into the car that’s waiting for us. The ride to the gala is quiet, filled with the tension that always seems to linger between us these days.
Part of me wants to reach out, to bridge the gap, but I know better than to push too hard too soon.
When we arrive at the event, all eyes are on us the moment we step out of the car. I keep close to Aria, placing a hand gently on the small of her back as we make our way inside.
The flashes of cameras go off around us, but I don’t care about any of that. All that matters is making sure people see us together.
Throughout the evening, I stay by her side, making polite conversation with donors and guests while subtly showing my affection. I refill her glass before she even asks, pull out her chair when we sit, and make sure to be attentive to her every need.
She’s hesitant at first, but I can see her relaxing by degrees as the night goes on. It’s small, but it’s a step in the right direction.
As the evening winds down, the two of us find a quiet corner away from the crowd.
Aria’s leaning against the wall, looking thoughtful, and I can’t help but notice the way the dim lighting casts a soft glow on her features.
"You’ve been quiet tonight," I say, stepping closer. "Everything okay?"
She glances at me, then back at her half-empty glass. "It’s just been a long day."
"Long week, more like," I murmur, watching her carefully.
There’s a beat of silence before I speak again, my voice dropping lower.
"You know, Aria, I’ve been trying. I’m not the same person I was before. And I’m going to keep trying."
Her gaze meets mine, and for a moment, the air between us feels charged. I take another step forward, closing the distance between us until we’re just inches apart.
My hand brushes lightly against her arm, and I can see her breath hitch, though she doesn’t pull away.
"I want to win you back," I say softly, leaning in just enough that our faces are close. "How am I doing so far?"
Her lips part slightly, but before she can answer, I take a step back, letting the tension simmer between us.
"Think about it," I say with a grin, turning on my heel and walking away before she has a chance to respond.
When I drop Aria off at her house later that night, there’s something in her expression that tells me she’s still thinking about our moment back at the gala.
I can tell she’s conflicted, torn between what she feels and what she knows. But I’m not worried.
I’ve planted the seed—I just need to give it time.
As I pull away from her house, my phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s a message from my assistant: Still no new leads. Will update tomorrow.
I let out a long breath, the frustration creeping back in. I need answers about Joe, and I need them soon.
There’s something going on, something bigger than either of us, and I won’t stop until I figure out what it is.
Aria’s POV
When I finally step through the front door, I’m greeted by the sound of laughter. J
oe and William are sprawled out in the living room, surrounded by blankets and pillows, clearly in the middle of an impromptu sleepover.
I drop my purse by the door and lean against the frame, watching them for a moment. It’s the happiest I’ve seen Joe in a long time—he’s finally starting to settle in, to make friends.
Moving again would disrupt that, and I can’t help but feel the weight of that decision pressing down on me.
"Mom!" Joe calls out when he sees me, waving me over. "Come look! William and I built a fort!"
I smile, walking over to join them. "Looks impressive," I say, crouching down to inspect their handiwork. "You two did all this by yourselves?"
"Yep!" Joe says proudly. "We’re gonna sleep in it tonight."
William grins, nodding in agreement. "It’s the best fort ever."
I laugh, ruffling Joe’s hair. "Well, you two have fun. I’m going to head to bed soon, so keep it down, alright?"
As I walk away, I glance back at them, my mind already drifting to the job offer looming over me. The promotion would mean uprooting everything, starting fresh somewhere else.
But looking at Joe and William now, I’m reminded of how much Joe needs stability—how much William needs it, too.
Sophia isn’t exactly stepping up, and it’s hard not to feel like I’ve become some kind of surrogate for him.
I head upstairs, the weight of the night settling over me. Decisions are piling up, and sooner or later, I’ll have to make a choice.
But for now, all I can do is take it one step at a time.
