What Are We Now?
541 Words
Sunlight poured into the living room like it didn’t know what had happened the night before.
Aria blinked awake, curled up on the couch.
Her head rested against Liam’s chest, her leg tangled over his, his arms still loosely holding her like he hadn’t let go all night.
It wasn’t the kiss that scared her.
It was the silence after.
She pulled away gently, careful not to wake him, and tiptoed upstairs. The mirror didn’t lie — her lips were still slightly swollen, her eyes uncertain.
What are we now?
Still strangers in marriage?
Or something far more dangerous?
🔹 Liam
He woke up to the cold space beside him and immediately knew she’d left.
But her scent still lingered on his shirt.
So did the memory of her kiss.
Liam Carter didn’t lose control.
Not until last night.
And now?
His mind was spiraling with every reason why this shouldn’t happen again.
But his body? His heart?
They’d already betrayed him.
🔹 At Breakfast
Aria sat at the table, dressed in a pale pink sweater, sipping orange juice like nothing had changed.
Liam walked in, fully suited, eyes unreadable.
“Morning,” she said, voice light. Too light.
“Morning,” he replied, like last night hadn’t cracked the world open.
Neither of them mentioned it.
Not the kiss.
Not the touch.
Not the fact that their bodies had memorized each other in a moment they’d spent years avoiding.
“I have meetings all day,” he said flatly.
“Good luck,” she replied.
She didn’t look at him.
He didn’t stop walking.
But the tension lingered, wrapping around their throats like rope no one wanted to pull.
🔹 Later that Day – A Distraction Arrives
Aria walked into the foyer to find a bouquet of white tulips waiting.
A card attached.
> “You looked beautiful last night. The red suited you.
Let me know when I can see you again. – M.”
Aria blinked.
M?
Before she could react, she heard a sharp voice behind her.
“You still keep flowers from other men?”
She turned.
Liam stood at the top of the stairs, eyes cold.
“I didn’t ask for them,” she said.
“Didn’t throw them away either.”
“It’s a flower, Liam. Not a love letter.”
He walked down the steps slowly, menace quiet but loud.
“Who is M?” he asked.
She crossed her arms. “Someone who actually asked how I’m doing.”
His jaw flexed.
He snatched the card from her hand, crushed it in his fist, and dropped it on the floor.
“You’re still my wife,” he said through gritted teeth. “Don’t forget that.”
Her voice rose. “Then maybe act like a husband!”
🔹 The Fight That Followed
“You kissed me last night,” she said.
“You kissed me back,” he snapped.
“So what now?” she whispered. “We keep pretending? Or do we admit that something's breaking between us?”
“It’s not breaking,” Liam growled. “It’s shifting.”
She stared. “Into what?”
He didn’t answer.
He couldn’t.
Because for once — the ruthless CEO had no control.
- Writer
