Since she left, the Stevens estate had always felt cold to Mia. It was always too polished, too guarded, but now that she was back, it felt even worse, like a furnace. It wasn’t because the halls were warmer or the rooms were more welcoming. No, it was the heat inside her.She was no longer just someone’s daughter, wife, or pawn. She was the head of the Stevens family. And there was no time to feel sorry for herself.That morning, she had asked Lord David to give her details of all their recent partnerships, and so she sat alone in the head office—her grandfather’s old room. Across the polished wood desk, she spread stacks of papers, studying each with great detail as if she was trying to uncover a clue. She wanted to go over everything again, and though she told herself that she was trying to reclaim control of things and perform her obligated duties, she knew the real truth. She was just doing all of this to keep herself from thinking about Liam. So she studied the partnership contr

The Tribunal officers had been locked away for two days since the moment Liam had captured them. He had them separated, kept under tight surveillance, and interrogated one by one. There was no sleep. No comfort or mercy. Not until he found Natalie or Vaughn.But despite the intense interrogating methods, neither Marlan Trevors nor Cale Dreyden gave up a single detail about Vaughn or Natalie’s whereabouts. At some point, Liam was filled with so much frustration, he had tried bribes. Jack had tried fear. Laura even offered them false deals for safety—but both men stayed quiet. It was maddening.“Someone trained them,” Jack muttered, pacing outside the holding room.Liam clenched his jaw. “Or they’re more scared of Natalie than us. But why would they be? She’s just a spoiled brat from a privileged home. The more he thought about it, the less it made sense, but then he turned away and headed to his office. If he couldn’t drag Vaughn out with force, then maybe some public pressure might ju

Mia stood alone in the long hallway of the Stevens estate, her arms crossed and eyes fixed on the muted television. She felt as if she was seeing him for the first time again, in a different light. Every on the news, Liam was there. He looked calm, focused and fierce and different. He wasn’t broken or angry, only determined. She turned up the volume, listening were ly to what he had to say. “This city deserves truth. Not filtered, not bought, not controlled. That’s the promise I made, and I intend to keep it.”Mia’s chest tightened as his voice sounded on the television. It wasn’t just what he said—it was how he said it. Like he’d already decided he wouldn’t lose this fight, no matter who tried to stop him. Even if that person was her.She hadn’t realized how far she’d stepped away until she saw him again, like this. He wasn’t just her husband, he was also a man fighting to protect something bigger than himself.Her hand moved to her stomach unconsciously, and without a second though

Mia woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing nonstop, and saw texts, missed calls and endless notifications. At first, she thought it was about the new urban project she and Liam had earlier announced. But when she opened the first message from Chloe, her heart dropped.“Mia, call me now. The news is out.”Her fingers trembled as she tapped the link attached and the headline opened.Mia stared at the screen, unable to breathe for a moment. There were pictures of her at her last outing with Liam, showing the arc on her stomach. Her pregnancy had been revealed and she felt like her world was about to sink. This was her first and yet somehow it still felt like the world had snatched that from her.Liam walked in just then, shirtless, toweling his hair after a shower. “You okay?”She turned the phone to him, and her voice was sharp. “Did you tell anyone?”He frowned as he read. “No.” Liam’s eyes widened as he lowered himself towards her, “I haven’t told a soul. I thought we agreed to kee

The Stevens estate shimmered under golden lanterns and strings of white lights. The garden had been transformed into a quiet paradise with flower petals that were scattered across the stone paths, soft music floating through the air, and gentle laughter humming in the background. Mia hadn’t expected any of it.She had only come home because Lord David insisted. “Just dinner,” he had told her. “No press. No drama. Just family.”So when she stepped into the garden and saw everyone gathered, balloons floating over trimmed hedges, and a table stacked with gifts, her mouth dropped slightly.Lord David stood at the center, with his arms wide open and a satisfied smile. “Surprise, Mia.”She blinked. “What… is this?”He walked over and gave her a gentle hug. “A celebration for you. For the baby. Don’t let the media define this moment. This is still something to be proud of.”Mia smiled, holding back her emotion. “I thought you’d be upset with how messy everything has gotten.”“Mess comes and