Chapter 7

Liam's hand naturally closed around my cold fingers.

I instinctively pulled back, but only slightly, staring at him in confusion.

"Don't forget, you're my girlfriend now." He didn't glance sideways, leading me through the lobby to a private elevator.

I didn't need to look up to feel everyone's work halting, their shocked stares fixed on me.

The elevator doors closed, gliding upward.

Liam's voice came from above me. "No need to be so stiff. Just act like you normally would."

I had to look up at him. "You brought me here to start rumors?"

His lips curved, a smile touching the corners of his eyes. "Per our agreement, we're planning a wedding. We can't exactly reveal my fiancée's identity on the wedding day, can we?"

His logic was airtight, so I stayed silent.

I followed him into his spacious office, where curtains fluttered by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

I exhaled, settling onto the sofa with a sense of inevitability, as if my supposed amnesia made everything easier.

Voices from outside echoed in my ears.

"Is that the boss's girlfriend? He's never brought a woman to the office before..."

"She looks kind of familiar."

"Holy crap, isn't that his cousin's girlfriend? The one from the demolition fight..."

"Quick, does anyone still have that photo of her blocking the bulldozer with her bare hands?"

I forced myself to act like I remembered nothing.

Liam sat across from me, a smile playing on his lips. "I don't like overly formal announcements, so I need you to help push our relationship along."

He stood, walking over, and leaned down, hands braced on the back of my sofa.

So close, my breathing faltered, and I looked up, flustered. "I... I don't think that's necessary, do you?"

The door burst open. "Liam..."

My blood rushed to my head. At the sound of Cayden's voice, I instinctively grabbed Liam's collar tightly.

He let out a soft hum, leaning even closer.

Cayden couldn't see clearly and faltered, embarrassed. "Sorry, sorry... no wonder your assistant said you were busy... Liam!"

His retreating steps quickened as he rushed forward.

Without hesitation, he grabbed Liam's shoulder, yanking him back.

When he saw it was me beneath Liam, Cayden's face flushed, eyes wide with disbelief. "You... you two..."

I curled my fingers, sat up straight on the sofa, and hardened my expression. "Even if you're his cousin, don't you know to knock before entering an office?"

Outside, someone lingered, pretending to pass by while eavesdropping.

Liam pulled me into his arms, his smile unshaken. "Yeah, why didn't you knock?"

His smile held, but his words carried a chill.

"What... what were you two doing?" Cayden gritted his teeth, eyes locked on Liam's hand around my waist.

I recalled the videos of him and Vivian entwined, my heart freezing over.

My voice dripped with mockery. "What do couples do? You're asking the obvious."