AARON WALLACE'S POV

I didn't notice the girls approaching us until I felt a subtle touch brush against the back of my hand. Blue eyes met mine.

"Aren't you full of surprises?" Raphael's eldest daughter complimented. I wasn't going to give her even a reaction. I glared at her until she got the clue, and luckily, her sister interrupted, pulling her away from me.

"Thank goodness there's a server here. Can I get water?" I heard them whining in distress behind me.

"Yes. Here." Even after all that, Lively's tone was polite. How does she do it?

"What are these bottles? I need a cocktail."

"Well, Mabel, this isn't the bar. The poor girl only has a cooler."

Their laughs followed.

"Can you go get me a cup of something then?"

For the most part, everything happening around me echoes in my ears until it becomes impossible to stand and bear. As it happens, I turn and snatch Liv's hand again. It doesn't matter if she likes it or not, she's coming with me.

"Let's go."

"Aaron—" She tried resisting quietly.

"If you don't come with me, I will pick you up and swing you over my shoulder. You are not staying here to listen to all that," I told her. Considering what she heard, her legs may be reluctant to function because there is no way she will want to stay here after everything. Her jaw had dropped, and she was wide-eyed, looking around us, terrified.

"What is he doing? Where is he taking the cart girl?" The spoiled girls audibly gossiped in their group.

In response to that, my father's displeased voice called, "Son!" He should be grateful I didn't knock out his teeth; he better hold back whatever expectations he has over me right now. "That's the waiter, uh, she attends to the Wallace family here." As we walked away, I heard him coating his ass. I couldn't help but shoot him a glare, letting him know we would revisit this later.

Now, I just want to exist around Lively and be her comfort. The things she heard and endured, I don't know with what words I can apologize. The only help I could be was to pull her away from the maiming territory.

We came to a narrow way between the spa/salon building, where it was only me and her. She's been fighting my hold, wriggling her hands for me to let go.

"Aaron. Aaron, stop it." She succeeded in yanking away finally and pushed me as I loosened the grip, but it was ineffective; I didn't budge. She held my gaze, sad and fuming. "What are you doing?" Her despairing voice was croaky.

"I can't stand it."

Her eyes were on the verge of tears. She looked away immediately to the space beside me, folding her arms around her like she was alone. It is unbearable to watch; she has to believe I will never leave her again in any situation.

"Well, I warned you about the universal difference between us, and you said it doesn't matter." She swallowed and brought her eyes back to mine. A tear rolled down the sides of her face, "It does, Aaron."

"It doesn't." It shouldn't be a reason over what I know I feel for her.

She scoffs and angrily wipes her cheeks, "Who are those girls?"

And there is that too. My shoulders slump, not even knowing what to say about it. Even though my defenses are true, it will still make no sense to her. She continues, her voice breaking and having bitterness trickle down my throat like acid upon listening to her sad tone. "Which among them do you have an interest in? Is it the pretty tall one having inside jokes with you?" She wipes again the new streaming tears.

"What inside jokes?" I shake my head and she exhales a sad laugh, glaring at me with defiance, challengingly expecting a response to which she should know the answer by now. "Stop it, please. This is ridiculous. My head hurts."

"And what do you think I feel? My heart burns." She cried, running her hands through her hair. "You are not the victim here, okay? You didn't just get dehumanized and humiliated by the family of the man you—" She stops herself before she can finish and then sniffles. I knew what the following words would have been, an idea so delightful, I wish we were in a normal state where she would feel secure to give them to me. Watching her, my eyes burn with tears.

She recomposed and ground her teeth, her stare penetrating and lips quivering with pain while she bitterly mimicked, "It is not in my family's reputation to bring any scandalous distraction. I do not know who or have any relationship with this—"

I pull her to me, grabbing the back of her neck to hold her in place, her bun freely loosening, and quiet her with a kiss, swallowing her words and wishing to pull out her sorrow. She tastes sweet with the blend of brininess from her tears and mine that escaped my eyes at this instant. When she sighs in my mouth, I pull back a little and find she has calmed down. My heart still hurts for not coming out openly to her.

"I didn't write that," I let her know, my fingers caressing the length of her beautiful neck. "And beyond that, I wasn't going to stand out there and say all the rubbish the PR has written according to my father's satisfaction. I will only speak from my heart to the reporters—that was the plan. I was going to let everyone know you are mine, Lively. They should know the woman at the hospital I stared at for a long time had driven me to pure insanity that I so conveniently take delight in, and nothing feels right except being with you."

Her soft eyes were locked on me. She brought her hand carefully to my face, and my eyes involuntarily closed at the touch of her fingers. They tenderly wiped the moisture from my cheeks, spreading a soothing feeling through me. Now I healed.

"Aaron, are you sure?" Her voice is gentle when she asks, contemplatively.

I opened my eyes to answer what she had asked. "That I want to fight for us? Is that even a question?" Not for once did I listen to or do what my parents ever asked for as long as it involved her. When I say she has me completely this time, I mean she's become my only religion, with my heart and soul solely devoted to her.

Her stare faltered to my chest along with her hands. She seems sad or disappointed about something.

"How is Bubble doing?" I should have asked earlier.

"He's improving. He's at home with Dad."

Doesn't her father work every time of the day? Why is he home?

My mother's threats replayed in my head, and my heart pounded with hysteria. She couldn't have done something to the man, had she? Looking back, she hadn't been happy with the recent news ever since they were published. What if she'd already taken action?

"Your father—didn't he work since morning? What happened?" I nervously probed without giving away suspicion.

"He does." Liv nodded and looked up at me. "He is only taking a break to help at home until Bubble feels better."

"Oh." A breath I didn't know I was holding escaped me in a relieved sigh.

She smiled shyly and a bit thoughtfully, briefly taking her eyes to her fingers that were resting against my chest, and then her gaze sprung back to me.

"Thank you for the gifts you sent. It was considerate. He never had PJ Masks toys before. You should see how happy he is."

I assumed it was the best gift to send. He was watching the cartoon the other day I visited them. And it surely is worth it, now that I see her smile like this. I will give anything for it to stay on her face.

"I am sorry I couldn't come."

"I understand." She assured me, but it was clear she thought it was because of obvious reasons.

"No, it has nothing to do with you. I will not listen to anyone telling me not to see you." My fingers traced her delicate face while I searched the depth of her beautiful eyes. "I did want to. I should have texted, but I got carried away with the pressure of work. I won't feel the weight off my shoulders until it pays off tomorrow."

She frowned, gnawing her lip, and to add to it, her fingers trailed caressingly through my hair, forgetting what it did to me. "How can I help alleviate your stress while we wait for tomorrow to come gradually then?" She muttered.

"I hate seeing you sad."

She dared bite her lips again, and this time I didn't hold back. I leaned in and kissed her deeply until I couldn't breathe. When we pulled back, her face was flushed. My thumb couldn't resist feeling the sensual lips still teasing me. They parted, and she sucked in the air. She's so goddamn beautiful, it warms my heart watching her.

"Do not hide me from your world. Wear my ring." I implore, covering her hand with mine over my chest. "Please." I've been trying to be nonchalant about it but it has been bothering me since we arrived at the hospital. I fear she will return it to me.

"I'm not hiding you from my world, Aaron. Your grandpa said the ring is sort of sacred for your family, so I thought it wouldn't be fitting to wear it while serving at work in polo uniforms." She smiled at my sad frown and my expression relaxed at the reassurance.

My hand felt her face and she leaned in, her smile spreading while she held my stare.

"My first conference speech and exhibition is tomorrow in France, and I'll be traveling there about right now. I understand it might not be the most exciting event for you, but there's a private designer showcase in Milan this weekend for summer luxury aid, and all the boys will be there. You'll love it. Come, let me hold your hand out there. I know it's an 11-hour flight, but you'll be comfortable—it's on a private jet, so there will be no jetlag, I promise." I would love for her to come but the sudden change in her expression tells me the chances are slim.

"Aaron, you know I can't. Bubble—" She depressingly gulped, taking her eyes from me.

"You said your father is home. What I am asking will only take two days while he's probably still on leave. It will mean so much if you come. I want to be with you, show you my world, and how easy it will be for you to stand out in it." I desperately persuaded her, but it wasn't convincing. She let go of me, stepping back, her head shaking from side to side, as if she was having conflicting thoughts.

"I can't." She whispered, her gaze introspective as she withdrew even more from me.

"Liv..." I tried to reach for her but she flinched and retreated.

What did I do?

"No, Aaron. You can't understand—"

"Then tell me what it is to understand?" There is a bile in my throat and a dagger in my chest. "What am I overlooking that I can't detect? If it's about Bubble, if you feel guilty about the other time, I will make calls and his treatment can be advanced to Portland. We have family doctors there, those who specialize in the field of children's medicine. Let me help." I pleaded wholeheartedly. I just want her happy, not like this.

She swallowed, blinking with her brows drawn together as she stared at the wall behind me.

"I—I need to go back to work." She spun, adding speed.

"Lively," I called but she didn't stop. I had to partly yell. "Why didn't you tell me my mom took the papers to the club from you?"

She slowed and came to a halt then. Her shoulders slumped. When she turned around, there was a painful, faint smile tugging at the sides of her lips. "I was taught to carve the shoes I wear according to my size. We both know that was too much for a gift." She shrugged her shoulders and wiped the tears staining her face.

"My grandpa wanted you to have it. I want you to."

She swallowed and shook her head at me.

"I am no charity to anyone, Aaron Wallace."

Defeated and heavyhearted, I watched her leave until I was alone in the quiet. I tried to think, but my head hurt too much. What should I do?

Having no other option but to put up the Wallace neutral expression, I wiped my face and wore back my sunglasses and hat, fully composed before heading back to the carts. Fortunately, Keenan was the only one present. Lucky me.

"Keenan, is everything ready for my travel?" I asked him, climbing into the cart next to him and he drove off.

"Yes, Mister Wallace."

"We will stop at Lively's house," I told him.

"Sir, I believe Missus Kelby hasn't left work yet."

"I am aware. I need to tell her father my intention over his daughter."

Keenan smiled over to me. Stupidly I blushed.

"I think that's a valiant move, the standard of a Wallace." He remarked.

"Yes, but probably not where my parents envisioned it to be invested." I mocked.