No turning back
1068 Words
Liamh stepped out of the restaurant, gripping the contract so tightly her fingers hurt. It was done. Her name was on the paper. No way out now.
The cold air hit her face, but it didn’t help. She felt sick. Like she’d just made a deal with the devil.
She closed her eyes for a second. Mary. Her little sister needed her. That was all that mattered.
A deep voice cut through the night.
“Second thoughts already?”
Liamh’s stomach twisted. She knew that voice.
She turned slowly.
Hanson Hill was leaning against a sleek black car, arms crossed like he had all the time in the world. The streetlights cast shadows on his sharp features—cold, unreadable.
She took a breath. “I don’t have the luxury of second thoughts.”
A slow smirk tugged at his lips, but there was no warmth in it. Just something dark. Knowing.
“Good.” He pushed off the car, walking toward her. “Because once you step into my world, there’s no turning back.”
Liamh forced herself to hold her ground. “I understand the terms.”
Hanson tilted his head slightly, studying her. “No, you don’t.”
His voice was calm, almost amused. But there was something else beneath it.
“You think it’s simple. Nine months. A paycheck.” He paused. “It’s more than that.”
Liamh’s fingers dug into her palm. “I know what I signed up for.”
His gaze flickered, like he was deciding whether to believe her. Then, after a moment, he let out a slow breath.
“You should be afraid.”
Her heart pounded, but she lifted her chin. “I’m not.”
For a second, something flashed in his eyes. Amusement? Approval? She couldn’t tell.
Then he nodded, stepping back.
“Be ready by eight.”
And just like that, he turned, got into his car, and drove off.
Liamh let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
God help me.
---
The Next Morning
At exactly 7:55 a.m., Liamh stood outside her tiny apartment, staring at the black SUV parked by the curb.
A man in a suit stepped out. “Miss Liamh?”
She nodded.
He opened the door. “Mr. Hill is expecting you.”
Liamh hesitated. Just for a second. Then she got in.
The ride was silent. The city slowly disappeared, replaced by long roads lined with trees.
Then she saw it.
Massive iron gates.
They slid open without a sound, revealing a long driveway with trimmed hedges and white marble statues.
And at the end of it—the Hill estate.
It wasn’t just big. It was intimidating.
The kind of place where nothing was out of place. The kind of place where people like her didn’t belong.
The car stopped in front of the grand entrance.
The driver opened her door. “This way.”
Liamh followed him inside.
Marble floors. Chandeliers. Walls lined with gold accents and oil paintings.
It felt like stepping into a different world. One where emotions didn’t exist.
A butler appeared, bowing slightly. “Miss Liamh, follow me.”
She did, climbing a staircase so wide it could fit three people walking side by side.
Finally, the butler stopped in front of a door.
“This will be your room.”
Liamh stepped inside and stopped.
It was beautiful.
Cream-colored walls. A massive bed with silk sheets. A floor-to-ceiling window overlooking a never-ending garden.
It was perfect.
Too perfect.
She set her bag down, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her chest.
A soft knock at the door made her turn.
The door opened, and Anita walked in, smiling warmly.
“Settling in?”
Liamh nodded. “It’s… beautiful. Thank you.”
Anita walked further inside, her hands neatly clasped together.
“I know this situation is unusual,” she said softly. “But I wanted to thank you personally. You’re giving us a gift we could never repay.”
Liamh forced a smile. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Anita’s smile widened, but there was something about it… too polished. Too perfect.
“Hanson can be difficult,” she added, tilting her head slightly. “Don’t take his coldness personally.”
“I won’t,” Liamh said, though something about that sentence made her chest feel tight.
Anita placed a gentle hand on her arm. “Just focus on yourself. On the baby. And don’t let him intimidate you.”
Liamh hesitated. “I… I won’t.”
Anita nodded. “Dinner is at eight. Someone will come get you.”
And just like that, she was gone.
Liamh exhaled slowly.
Why did it feel like she had just been warned?
---
That Night
Liamh sat stiffly at the long dining table.
Across from her, Hanson sat in his usual suit, sipping whiskey like he had nothing better to do.
Anita sat between them, smiling, making polite conversation.
Hanson?
He barely looked at her.
She wasn’t sure if that was better or worse.
The food was expensive, perfectly plated, but Liamh barely tasted it.
Halfway through, Hanson finally spoke.
“You have a medical checkup tomorrow.”
Liamh looked up. “That soon?”
His blue eyes locked onto hers. “Yes.”
Silence.
Then, in the calmest voice, he added, “I don’t take risks, Miss Liamh.”
She gripped her fork a little tighter. “Neither do I.”
Something flickered in his gaze. She wasn’t sure what. Approval? Amusement?
It was gone before she could figure it out.
Anita cleared her throat. “Liamh, if there’s anything you need—”
“I’ll handle it,” Hanson cut in.
Liamh turned to him, slightly raising an eyebrow.
“I want no complications,” he said smoothly. “Not for you. Not for the baby.”
The way he said it—controlled, final—made something in her stomach twist.
“I understand,” she said.
He leaned back in his chair. “Good.”
And just like that, the conversation was over.
Liamh swallowed the lump in her throat and focused on her plate, pretending she wasn’t shaken.
But she could feel his eyes on her.
Watching. Calculating.
And for the first time, she truly understood—
This wasn’t just a deal.
This was Hanson Hill’s world.
And she was trapped in it.
- Writer
