Chapter 4

Liam's devotion to Sarah became legendary in their circle.

He was rarely seen without her. Flowers, gifts, whispered intimacies in public – he missed no opportunity to display his affection.

Maya, recovering slowly in her stark hospital room, was utterly alone. No visitors. No calls from Liam.

One afternoon, a young intern, Dr. Ramirez, a kind man with gentle eyes, stopped by her room. He'd been on duty the night she was admitted.

"Mrs. Donovan? Just checking in. How are you feeling?"

They chatted for a few minutes about neutral topics – the weather, a new art exhibit.

Liam appeared in the doorway, his face like a thundercloud. He said nothing, just stared, his eyes chips of ice. Dr. Ramirez, flustered, quickly made his excuses and left.

Liam didn't enter her room. He just stood there, radiating silent anger, then turned and walked away.

A few days later, from her hospital window, Maya saw a spectacular fireworks display over the city.

She later heard from a chatty nurse that Liam Donovan had arranged it for Sarah Chen, "just because."

Maya watched the bursts of color explode against the night sky, feeling a profound detachment. They were beautiful, and they meant nothing to her. Fleeting sparks in the darkness.

The next day, she heard Dr. Ramirez had been abruptly reassigned to a clinic in a remote part of the state.

She was discharged shortly after.

Liam was waiting for her at the penthouse. Sarah was there too, looking radiant, her arm in a stylish sling.

"Maya, darling," Sarah cooed, stepping forward as if to embrace her. "We were so worried."

Liam cut her off. "She's fine." He looked at Maya, his lip curling. "She's tougher than she looks. And more manipulative." He gestured around the opulent living room. "From now on, you're just another servant here. Understand? You'll earn your keep."

Maya said nothing. She nodded, her face impassive.

He smirked. "Good. Now, pour us some drinks. Sarah prefers champagne."

At a party Liam hosted that weekend, he paraded Sarah, showering her with compliments. He forced Maya to serve them, to stand by while he toasted Sarah's "courage" and "unwavering support."

He made Maya drink. Shot after shot of tequila.

"You like money, don't you, Maya?" he sneered, watching her choke down the alcohol. "You'll do anything for it."

Other guests, sensing Liam's disdain, started to take liberties. A leering associate of Finch, a man named Henderson who was a known predator, cornered her, his hand too low on her back.

Liam watched from across the room, his eyes dark, unreadable. He didn't intervene. He just watched.

The alcohol, combined with her weakened state, made Maya dizzy and nauseous.

She excused herself, needing air, needing to escape Henderson's suffocating presence.

As she stumbled towards the guest bathroom, Henderson followed her. He grabbed her arm in the hallway.

"Not so fast, pretty thing." His breath was hot on her neck.

Panic seized her. She felt a prick in her arm, sharp and sudden. Drugged.

Her vision blurred. Her legs felt like lead.

With a surge of adrenaline, she kneed him hard in the groin. He howled, doubling over.

Maya ran, blindly, desperately, pulling open the nearest door and stumbling into a darkened room, slamming the door shut behind her.

She fumbled for the lock, her hands shaking.

"Help me," she gasped, leaning against the door, her body on fire. "Please, someone, help me."

A figure moved in the shadows of the room.

A man's voice, low and familiar. "Help you with what, Maya?"

Liam stepped into the dim light filtering from the hallway.

Relief warred with a new wave of fear.

"Liam... thank God."

She swayed, reaching out for him.

He didn't move to help her.

"Get away from me," she suddenly spat, the drug making her paranoid, her trust shattered. "Don't touch me!"

His face hardened. "Still playing games? After everything?"

He grabbed her, his fingers digging into her arms. "You think I don't know what you are? What you want?"

"I hate you!" she cried, thrashing against him, the drug and her emotions overwhelming her.

"Liar!" he snarled, his face close to hers.

Then, in a moment of drugged, desperate vulnerability, the truth tore from her.

"No... I... I love you, Liam! I've always loved you!"

The words hung in the air, raw and shocking.

Liam froze. His grip loosened. He stared at her, his eyes wide, confused, overwhelmed.

Then, with a groan that seemed to come from his very soul, he crushed his mouth to hers, a kiss of anger, desperation, and a terrifying, undeniable passion.