29 – His to Keep
29 – His to Keep
Ellie’s POV
I can’t breathe.
Liam is back.
And he’s coming for me.
I sink onto the edge of Adrien’s bed, gripping the sheets between my fingers. My heart hammers against my ribs, but I don’t know if it’s from fear… or something else.
A knock at the door snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts.
Lucien steps inside, his expression unreadable. “You should get dressed.”
I hesitate. “Why?”
His lips press together. “Adrien is handling things. But if Liam wants a public fight, he’s going to get one.”
A chill runs down my spine. “What does that mean?”
Lucien sighs. “It means Adrien is about to remind everyone—including Liam—exactly who you belong to.”
My stomach twists. “Lucien…” I step closer, gripping his sleeve. “Tell me everything.”
His gaze flickers, as if weighing how much to say. “Liam came into an inheritance,” he finally says. “It’s changed everything.”
My breath catches. “Inheritance?”
Lucien nods. “He’s not just some guy anymore, Ellie. He has power now. Money. Influence. He can give you everything Adrien did… but without the chains.”
My chest tightens. The one thing that had always held Liam back—the reason I’d signed that damn contract with Adrien—was suddenly gone.
And now, he was coming to claim me.
Lucien watches me carefully. “You still love him, don’t you?”
I open my mouth, but the words won’t come. Because I don’t know the answer anymore.
Lucien exhales, rubbing his jaw. “Adrien isn’t going to take this lightly. You know that, right?”
I do.
Adrien doesn’t share. Doesn’t let go.
And Liam… Liam doesn’t give up.
A war is coming.
And I’m at the center of it.
Adrien’s POV
The moment I step into my office, I already know he’s here.
Liam.
He’s waiting for me, arms crossed, acting like he has any control in my world.
I smirk. This will be fun.
“Liam,” I greet, leaning against my desk. “You look different. More confident.” My eyes darken. “Must be all that new money.”
Liam stiffens, but he holds my gaze. “I’m not here for games.”
I chuckle. “You sure about that? Because from where I’m standing, this looks a lot like a challenge.”
His jaw clenches. “You took her.”
I raise a brow. “Took?” I roll the word over my tongue, then shake my head. “No, Liam. Ellie made a choice. And it wasn’t you.”
His fists tighten. “She didn’t have a choice. You bought her.”
A slow, satisfied smirk tugs at my lips. “And now you want to do the same?”
Liam falters.
Got you.
I push off my desk and stalk toward him, my presence swallowing the space between us. “You think money changes everything? That it makes you a player in my world?”
Liam doesn’t back down. “It means I can take back what’s mine.”
I exhale a slow, dangerous breath. “Let me be clear, Liam. Ellie isn’t something you win back like a poker hand.”
His eyes flash. “Then let her choose.”
I go deathly still.
He sees the shift in my posture, but he doesn’t step away. “If you’re so sure she’s yours, let her decide. No contracts. No debts.”
I should laugh. Should tell him to get the fuck out before I rip him apart.
But I don’t.
Instead, I let the silence stretch. Let him feel the weight of what he just asked for.
Then, I smirk.
“Fine.”
Liam’s brows furrow. “What?”
I tilt my head. “You want a fair fight? I’ll give you one.” I step closer, lowering my voice. “But you won’t win.”
Liam’s throat bobs.
I clap a hand on his shoulder, squeezing just enough to make my point. “May the best man win.”
Then I turn away, because we both already know who that is.
Ellie’s POV
The moment I step into the grand office, I feel the shift in the air.
Adrien is seated at the head of the long dining table, radiating control and dominance.
Lucien stands nearby, arms crossed.
But it’s the man beside him that steals my breath.
Liam.
My heart stutters.
He looks… different. The same dark eyes, the same boyish charm—but beneath it, something harder, something new.
His confidence fills the space between us.
I swallow. “Liam.”
He steps forward, eyes locked on mine. “Ellie.” His voice is soft, but it cuts through me like a blade.
Adrien smirks, leaning back in his chair. “How sweet. A reunion.”
Liam doesn’t take the bait. His focus is solely on me. “Come with me, Ellie.”
Silence.
I feel Adrien’s gaze burning into me, waiting.
But for the first time… he says nothing.
He’s letting me choose.
My pulse pounds. This is it.
My choice.
I inhale shakily, my eyes flicking between them.
Adrien—the devil who owns my soul.
Liam—the past that wants to pull me back.
The room feels suffocating.
But then Adrien speaks.
His voice is soft, teasing—but laced with something dangerous.
“Go on, Ellie.” He smirks. “Tell him who you belong to.”
Heat blooms beneath my skin.
I slowly turn to Liam, my heart in my throat.
And I make my choice.