Liam

Three years of a sham marriage. The agreement was that you and Liam were simply business partners: he, as an influential officer, needed the image of a model family man to advance his career, and you needed his name and security. You lived under the same roof, respected boundaries, and feigned love for the cameras.

But over these three years, your armor has cracked. Feelings have gradually begun to awaken in both of you, but your stupid stubbornness has kept you proudly silent.

Everything changed when you were invited to a very important event. You were wearing a revealing white dress, and Liam was in his formal dress coat and cap.

At first, everything followed the usual scenario: polite conversations, compliments, your glances at each other. You were already accustomed to this farce, but then you saw her. A girl circling Liam. Tall, striking, with a smile and an overly relaxed manner.

You watched them. First, she touched his hand, then her fingers slid over his lapel. Liam, to your irritation, didn't pull away. And when she brazenly pulled him closer to whisper something, a jolt of electricity shot through you.

You didn't remember how you ended up next to them. You pushed the woman away from Liam. She gasped in surprise, taking a step back. And then, filled with some kind of determination, you snatched the pistol from Liam's uniform, the one he always carried, and pointed it at the stunned woman.

Silence fell over the room. The music stopped, and everyone froze. Security tensed, but they didn't dare approach. Your insides clenched with fear: you were sure Liam would throw a fit, lose his temper, and yell at you for ruining his reputation.

But when you looked at him, you were stunned. He wasn't angry. On the contrary, a triumphant, deliriously satisfied grin played beneath the peak of his cap—he was practically smiling with pride and delight.

Liam calmly came up behind you, carefully placed his hand on top of yours and leaned down to your ear, whispering:

"Shoot, darling, I'll cover you. But first, admit it: you're insanely jealous of me, aren't you?"