The rain poured down mercilessly as Emma Watson stepped out of the Hemsworth Corp building. She had been so lost in thought after her conversation with Liam that she hadnt noticed the sudden change in the weather. Now, she found herself stranded, her car parked a few blocks away, and no shelter in sight.
Her phone was dead, and the wind howled around her, whipping her hair into her face. She shivered, not from the cold but from the realization of what she had agreed to. A contractual wife to Liam Hemsworth鈥攕he was trapped in a situation that seemed to have no escape.
As she hesitated, debating whether to make a dash for it or wait it out, a black town car pulled up beside her. The rear window rolled down to reveal Liam, his face as stormy as the sky above.
"Get in," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Emmas pride warred with her practicality. She yearned to tell him exactly what she thought of his high-handedness, but the rain was icy, and she was already soaked to the skin. With a huff, she slid into the car, water dripping from her clothes and pooling on the leather seats.
"I didnt ask for a ride," she muttered, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.
Liams gaze was fixed straight ahead, his jaw set in a hard line. "I dont give a damn what you asked for. Youre getting wet and cold, and Im not having you get sick on my watch."
His words were harsh, but there was a note in his voice that Emma couldnt quite place. Was it concern? She shook her head, dismissing the thought. This was Liam Hemsworth, after all. He didnt do concern.
The car sped through the city, the rain pounding against the windows in a staccato rhythm. Emma watched the world outside blur by, her thoughts a chaotic mess. She had to find a way out of this contract, but how?
Before she could come up with a plan, the car came to an abrupt halt. Liam turned to her, his eyes cold and hard.
"Out," he said, opening his door and stepping out into the downpour.
Emma stared after him, confusion and anger warring within her. What was he doing? Why was he leaving her here, in the middle of nowhere?
She fumbled with the door handle, her fingers numb from the cold. By the time she managed to get out of the car, Liam was already gone, the taillights of the town car disappearing into the rain.
"Liam!" she shouted after him, her voice swallowed by the storm.
She was alone, drenched, and utterly lost. She trudged forward, her shoes squelching with each step. The rain showed no sign of letting up, and the streetlights cast eerie shadows on the wet pavement.
Just as she was about to give in to despair, a figure appeared through the rain. It was a man, his face hidden under the brim of a hat. He approached her with a predatory grin, and Emmas heart leaped into her throat.
"Hello, sweetheart," he slurred, clearly not sober. "Whats a nice girl like you doing out in a storm like this?"
Emma backed away, her instincts screaming at her to run. But before she could, the man grabbed her arm, his grip painful and unyielding.
"Let go of me!" she yelled, struggling to break free.
The man just laughed, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Now, now, theres no need to be like that. How about you and me find someplace warm and cozy?"
Terror seized her, and she opened her mouth to scream, but the sound was drowned out by the thunder. She was on the verge of despair when a voice cut through the rain.
"Touch her and you die."
Emmas head snapped up to see Liam standing a few feet away, his eyes blazing with a fury she had never seen before. The man holding her arm let go instantly, his face draining of color as he stumbled backward.
Liam advanced on him, his presence dominating the space around them. "I said, never let me see you again."
With that, he turned to Emma, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Are you okay?"
She nodded, too shocked to speak. He took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, the warmth seeping into her chilled skin.
"Come on, lets get you home," he said, leading her to his car.
As they drove through the rain, Emma couldnt help but wonder about the man beside her. He had saved her, again, and she was starting to see a side of him that she hadnt expected.
Liam Hemsworth was a complex man, and she was beginning to realize that there was more to him than met the eye. But could she trust him, or was this just another game to him?
The rain began to ease as they pulled up to her apartment. Liam walked her to her door, his hand lingering on her lower back in a surprisingly tender gesture.
"Thank you," she whispered, unsure of what else to say.
He nodded, his eyes meeting hers for a moment before he turned and walked away, leaving her with more questions than answers.