AGAINST ALL ODDS.

Unexpected changes at the same time good then again bad.

Liv clutched her bag tightly as she stepped out the mall,her heart hammering in her chest.Milan walked beside her holding a small toy in his hand,unaware of the nervous storm brewing inside her.

J.W's sleek black car was still parked in the same spot where they had left him earlier.The sight of it made her stomach twist.What if he gets made?what of he thinks am ungrateful?

She inhaled shakily gathering her courage.She had to return the money- keeping it felt wrong,no matter how much it could help.Taking a deep breath she walked towards the car.

J.W sat in the back seat,his long fingers tapping against the arm rest.His face unreadable as he stared outside the window.The assistant glanced back about to shoo her away,but J .W spoke first ,"Let her in."

The door clickes open liv swallowed hard and slid into the seat beside him,her hand gripping the bags like her life line.She could feel his gaze on her but she kept her eyes on her lap.

"What is it?"his voice was calm but held an edge of curiosity.

Liv took out a deep breath then ,held out the bag with both hands."I-I ..came to return this," she said quietly,her voice barely above a whisper.

J.W didn't move at first.His gaze drooped to the bag.Then back to her.”Your are returning the money?"

she nodded quickly her head down,"Y-Yes ...i only used a little,"she admitted fidgeting with her fingers,"I bought some clothes for Milan,a dress for my mom and two dresses for myself..and some toys."she swallowed,"But i don't need the rest,I just wanted to give it back."

For a moment there was only silence.Liv's heart pounded very hard she thought he might hear .then J.W reached for the bag unzipped it,his sharp eyes

scanning the neatly stacked bills. He lets out a shallow breath,he fingers brushing over the untouched money."you barely spent anything,"his voice was lower almost thoughtful.

Liv's hand twisted together in her lap"I-I only took what was necessary"she almost whispered."Thank you for helping Milan,I don't know how to repay you..."

J.W stared at her ,completely still.Any other woman he knew would have completely spent every last scent.Some would have asked for more.Yet this girl-this shy,fragile looking girl-had returned what she need without hesitation.

She was either incredibly foolish or...something else entirely.

After a long pause he finally spoke,his tone softer than before."You really are something else."

Liv's head shot in surprise,her wide eyes meeting his for his first time.His gaze felt something he couldn't quite understand, something that made her breath catch.

Flustered she quickly looked away and scooted towards the door."I-I should go now."

J.W watched as she fumbled to get out,her face burning red.As the door shut behind her.She glanced down at the bag again,an amused smirk tugging at his lips.

She had returned the money.And that more than anything,made him want to know more about her.

"where do you think your going?"

Liv stiffened her breath catching in her throat.She had already reached for the door handle,thinking the conversation was over.But now ,under his intense stare,she had already felt trapped.

Her fingers curled around her fabric on her dress as she slowly turned back to him."I-I was just going to leave,"she mumbled,shrinking under his gaze.

JW leaned forward slightly,his elbow resting on his knees,studying her as if she were a puzzle he couldn't quite figure out."You return the money,thank me and run off?" his voice was low and sharp,"Do you think its that simple?"

Liv swallowed hard,feeling even smaller under his scrunity."I-I didn't mean to offend you."

JW let down a short breath-half amused half something else.He didn't know weather to be irritated by her shyness or intrigued by her honesty.

"sit back,"he ordered ,"we are not done yet!"

Liv hesitated ,but the command in his voice left no room for argument,slowly ,she settledback into her sit her heart pounding faster,she had no idea what she was thinking.And for the first time JW wasn't sure of what he was doing either.

Liv's breath hitched at JW cold command.Her hands clenched together in her lap as she hesitated,unsure of what to say.

JW gaze remained on her,sharp and unwavering,then without looking away,he spoke to his assitant in the front seat.

"Give me her number."

The assistant, who had been silent until now, blinked in surprise."Her number ,sir?"

"you heard me"

Liv's face turned pale,"w-why do you need my number?"she stammered ,her fingers tightening around the hem of her dress.

JW ignored this question,his focus still on his assistant.After a brief hesitation the man retrived a note pad from the glove compartment,"Ma'am your number?"

Liv hesitated ,her heart racing,but underJW cold stare she had no options.Slowly,she whispered her digits.

"Now,"JW said coldly,'call back ur mother and Milan."

Liv's eyes widened,"M-My mother?"

He didn't repeat himself.

Swallowing her nervousness, she fumbled for her small outdated phone and called her mother.

When the line connected,her voice was small and uncertain.

"M-Mom..can you and Milan come back to the car."Her mother sounded confused but didn't question her."Alright ,sweetheart.We're coming."

Liv ended the call and clutched the phone on her lap.She didn't understand what was happening ,but JW's presence made it even harder to ask.

A few minutes later her mother and Milan appeared outside the mall entrance.Milan's face completely lit up when he sawthe car and he waved exitedly.

JW's assistant stepped out opening the door."Get in."

Her mother hesitated her eyes flickering at Liv in question,but Liv could only node nervously signaling her to comply.Slowly,they both slid into the car,Milan squeezing beside his sister.

Once the door shut JW gave a simple command.

"Drive."

The car pulled away from the mall,the city lights flashing past the window.Liv sat stiffly,unsure of where they were going.Milan obviously to the tension,played with his new toy,while their mother sat quietly,clearly as confused as Liv.

Finally Liv gathered enough courage to speak."W-Where are we going?"

JW didn't look at her,"you will see."

Minutes passed and soon the car veered of the main roads,entering an area far more secluded and luxurious than anywhere Liv had ever seen.Large estates with towering gates lined the road,each extravagant than the last.

Then the car slowed before stopping in front of a massive villa.It was breathtaking - tall and elegant- with golden lights illuminating the grand entrance.

Liv's breath caught in her throat.This wasn't just a house-it was a palace compared to the tiny home she had come from.

JW finally turned to her,his expression unreadable,"get out!"

Liv's throat tightened."B-But.."

"I said get out!"he repeated his tone leaving no room for argument.

Liv exchanged a worried glance with her mother,who was just as stunned.But when the assistant opened the door,they had no choice but to step out.

As they stood on the pristine drive way,JW emerged from the car,his tall frame imposing under the villas grand light.

Liv stared at him ,her hands trembling slightly."W-Why did you bring us here?"

JW took a step forward ,his piercing gaze locking on hers.Then in a voice as cold as ice ,he simply said,"This is where you will be staying from now on ."

Liv's breath hitched at JW 's words.Her mother stiffened behind her,clutching Milan's hand tightly.The grand villa loomed behind them its golden light casting long shadows on the pristine driveway.

Liv's heart pounded in her chest.She must have misheard him,there was no way he just said that.

She swallowed heard her voice barely above her whisper."W-What?"

JW took a step closer his towering presence making the air around her feel heavy.His piercing gaze locked onto hers,unwavering and cold.

"I said ," he repeated, his voice calm but commanding,"You will be living with me starting today now."He let the words sink in before adding ,"As my Wife."

Liv's body went rigid,her mind struggling to process what he had just declared.Her lips parted but no word came out.Did he just say wife?!!...