Chapter 117 CHAPTER 117
Morning came quietly.
Liam woke before the sun fully rose, his eyes opening to the soft gray light that slipped through the tall windows of the penthouse. For a moment, he did not move. Lisa was sleeping against him, her head resting on his arm, her body curled slightly toward his chest as if she had drifted there without even realizing it. She had been there all night. His arm felt sore and stiff beneath her weight, a dull ache running through his shoulder, but he did not mind it. He barely registered the discomfort. All he could think about was how peaceful she looked, how calm her breathing was, how safe she seemed in sleep.
He had barely slept himself.
Most of the night had passed with him awake, staring at the ceiling or watching the slow rhythm of her breath, his thoughts tangled with restraint, longing, and a fierce need to protect what they were building. It had taken everything in him not to cross the line they had both stopped at the night before. Even now, with the quiet of morning around them, the temptation lingered beneath the surface, heavy and constant. Still, he felt a quiet pride in himself. He had made it through the night. He had held the boundary, not because he lacked desire, but because he cared too much to rush something that mattered.
Just before dawn, exhaustion had finally pulled him under for a brief, shallow sleep.
Now, awake again, he carefully shifted. With slow, deliberate movements, he slid his arm out from beneath her head, lifting her gently just enough to free himself without waking her. She stirred slightly, a small sound leaving her lips, but she did not wake. He held his breath until her breathing evened out again, then eased himself out of bed and stood quietly for a moment, watching her sleep. Her hair was spread across the pillow, her face relaxed in a way he rarely saw when she was awake. Something tight and tender settled in his chest.
He tiptoed to the bathroom and closed the door softly behind him.
By the time Lisa woke, the apartment was filled with the warm scent of breakfast.
The smell of eggs sizzling, bacon crisping, and fresh coffee pulled her slowly out of sleep. She shifted, blinking as her eyes opened, disoriented for a few seconds as she tried to remember where she was. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar, the light different from the palace rooms she was used to. Then memory returned in gentle waves—the night, the quiet, Liam, the penthouse, the safety she had felt falling asleep beside him.
She sat up slowly, pulling the sheets around herself as the sounds of movement came from the kitchen. She could hear the soft clink of dishes and the low hum of someone moving with purpose. As if sensing her wakefulness, Liam appeared in the doorway a moment later, already dressed, his hair still slightly damp, his sleeves rolled up.
“You’re awake,” he said softly. “Breakfast is almost ready. Go take a shower. I’ll finish plating.”
Lisa smiled at him, warmth spreading through her chest, and nodded. She slipped out of bed and headed for the bathroom, taking her time under the warm water, letting the tension of the past days ease from her shoulders. When she emerged, dressed and calmer, she found Liam at the kitchen counter, arranging plates with quiet focus.
Without thinking too much about it, she walked up behind him and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. It was brief, instinctive, full of comfort rather than intent.
He stiffened slightly, then smiled despite himself.
“You shouldn’t do that,” he said, his voice low.
“Why?” she asked, amused, her eyes bright.
“Because it took all my strength not to lose control last night,” he answered honestly. “And if you start something now, I might regret being so disciplined.”
Lisa laughed, light and genuine, and kissed him again just to prove a point. This time, he set the spatula down with a quiet clatter, turned toward her, and pulled her in by the waist. His kiss deepened, slower and more intense, filled with everything they had not allowed themselves to finish the night before. Her head spun, warmth rushing through her as the world narrowed to the space between them.
When he finally pulled back, his breath was unsteady.
“That,” he said quietly, “is exactly what I meant.”
She could barely think straight, her words catching as she tried to respond, so he gently guided her to sit on the edge of the table, grounding the moment before it tipped too far. They ate breakfast together—scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, buttered toast, and fresh fruit—simple food that tasted better than anything either of them could remember. The normalcy of it all soothed something deep inside her.
Lisa exhaled slowly and looked at him.
“Last night… I really needed it.”
He met her gaze. “Needed what?”
“Space,” she said. “Quiet. Just… stepping away from everything. The palace, the rituals, the expectations. I didn’t realize how heavy it all felt until I was here. I could breathe again.”
“I’m glad,” he said quietly.
She smiled. “You always know how to make things better.”
He shook his head. “I’m glad you feel better. I went all in I don’t know what I would have done next if you still felt awful in the morning.” He chuckled.
Her smile widened cheekily. “There’s a lot you could still have one. You’re a man of means.”
Before he could reply, her phone rang on the counter. Isa’s name lit up the screen.
Lisa sighed, amused, and answered.
“Isa…”
“LISA!” Isabel squealed. “WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT?”
Lisa winced and laughed. “Good morning to you too.”
“Don’t dodge the question,” Isabel said dramatically. “You didn’t come home. Ethan told me you spent the night with Liam.”
Lisa groaned. “Isa, you are too young to be asking me questions like this.”
“So something happened,” Isabel sang.
“Nothing happened,” Lisa said quickly, glancing at Liam, who was trying very hard not to laugh.
Isabel gasped. “That is not convincing at all.”
Liam reached over, gently took the phone from Lisa, and set it on the table, switching it to loudspeaker.
“Isabel,” he said calmly, “I’m right here. What exactly do you want to know?”
There was a long pause.
“Oh,” Isabel said, suddenly shy. “I…I was just worried.”
“Worried?” Liam asked lightly. “Or curious?”
“I was worried,” she insisted. “Mostly.”
He chuckled. “Ask directly, and I’ll answer honestly.”
Another pause. “No,” Isabel said quickly. “That’s okay. I don’t actually need to know.”
Lisa laughed. “We’re running late for school, Isa.”
“Oh. Right. Okay,” Isabel said. “Have a good day.”
The call ended.
Lisa looked at Liam, still smiling. “Would you have told her anything?”
He smiled, brushing his thumb over her knuckles.
“No,” he said easily. “I’m a gentleman. I don’t kiss and tell. I just enjoy teasing her.”
They finished breakfast and soon after headed back to the car. The drive to school was quiet and comfortable, filled with small smiles and shared glances. When they reached the parking lot, Lisa hesitated, holding his hand.
“I wish I could tell everyone you’re my boyfriend,” she admitted softly. “I want to shout it sometimes.”
Liam squeezed her hand gently, understanding the conflict she felt. She kissed his knuckles, slow and affectionate, and he leaned over, checking quickly to make sure no one was watching, before pressing a brief kiss to her lips.
Neither of them noticed Ella walking past the car, pausing just long enough to catch the reflection of that kiss in the side mirror before continuing toward the school, her expression unreadable.
The day had only just begun.