By Friday morning, the atmosphere inside Kingsley Corporation felt heavier than usual.
What had begun as innocent office gossip now buzzed like a storm on the brink of breaking. Ava Collins sensed it in every hallway she passed through—eyes following her, voices lowering when she drew near.
She tried to concentrate on her work, but each ring of her phone sent her heart racing. When Liam Kingsley finally summoned her to his office, she already sensed that something was amiss.
He stood by the window, his shoulders tense and jaw clenched. "Close the door," he said softly.
She complied, the sound of the door clicking shut echoing more loudly than expected.
"What's going on?" she asked.
He turned to face her, holding a printed email. "Someone sent this to the board. Anonymously. They're claiming you and I are involved in a… personal relationship."
Her breath caught in her throat. "Oh God."
Liam tossed the paper onto his desk, frustration darkening his expression. "It's filled with insinuations—nothing that can be proven. But it's enough to make them start asking questions."
Ava's hands shook. "Liam, what do we do now?"
He crossed the room and gently cupped her face in his hands. "We stick to our course. We won't hide, and we won't feed into these rumors. I'll take care of the board."
Tears stung her eyes. "You could lose everything because of me."
He shook his head firmly. "Don't ever say that. You didn't create this mess—I did. I let my feelings get involved. And I would do it all over again."
Her chest tightened with a mix of fear and love swelling within her. "Liam…"
He ran his thumb along her cheek softly. "Ava, listen closely: no matter what happens, I won't let them harm you or our baby."
A single tear rolled down her cheek. "And what if they find out?"
He managed a faint smile, though worry lingered in his eyes. "Then we'll face whatever comes together."
At that moment, distant thunder rumbled outside—as if nature itself echoed his words.
Ava realized that the storm was not just brewing in the clouds; it was drawing closer to them than ever before.
Yet standing in his embrace, she couldn't bring herself to flee.
Because some storms, she understood, are worth being caught in.