Chapter 130: Chapter 130 Lana’s Troubles

Liam sat beneath the large tree outside the school, the warm breeze rustling its green leaves overhead. The sun filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows across his sharp features and broad shoulders. His duffle bag lay beside him, stuffed with everything he’d packed from his locker—school was over, truly over.

There was no going back now.

His gaze lingered on the school building, watching the students trickle out in groups—some laughing, others crying, taking photos, hugging their friends. But none of them mattered to him right now.

He was waiting for one person.

And five minutes later, there she was.

Ann stepped out of the school doors, her long dark hair flowing softly behind her as she walked. She looked as stunning as ever—her presence like a siren among mortals—but something was off. Her usual confident expression was replaced with a troubled frown. Her eyes darted around as if lost in thought, and she looked like she was carrying a weight no one else could see.

Liam’s expression instantly shifted.

He rose to his feet and approached her, cutting through the crowd with ease. “Ann,” he said, his tone low and concerned. “What’s going on? You look… off.”

She stopped walking, biting her bottom lip as she looked at him. “Liam…” she started, then sighed and looked away. “I’m gonna be gone for a while.”

His brows furrowed. “Gone? What do you mean gone? Where are you going?”

“Family matters,” she said simply, her voice quieter now. “It’s complicated.”

A yellow cab pulled up beside her, the tires screeching a little as it stopped by the curb. Ann flagged it with a raised hand, but Liam stepped in front of her, not letting her leave just yet.

“Ann, what the hell is going on?” he asked, his tone more intense now. “You can’t just disappear like this and drop a vague excuse. Talk to me.”

She turned to face him again, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and affection. “Please… it’s something my family has to sort out. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t ask too much. I’ll be okay.”

Her words hit him like a punch in the chest. He didn’t like it. Not one bit.

But she was asking him to respect it.

Ann stepped forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him. She pressed her body close, her warmth soaking into him as she whispered, “I’ll miss you.”

Then she kissed him.

It wasn’t rushed—it was slow, deep, and filled with something Liam couldn’t quite name. Her soft lips melted against his, and he held her waist instinctively, as if trying to freeze time, to hold on just a second longer.

Honk Honk!

The cab driver leaned out the window, a cigarette hanging from his lips. “Yo! If you two are that horny, get a fucking room. Not a goddamn cab.”

Ann broke the kiss, laughing softly against Liam’s lips before pulling back just enough to peck him one more time.

“Bye, Liam,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Then she opened the door, stepped into the cab, and shut it behind her. The vehicle pulled away seconds later, tires humming against the asphalt as she disappeared down the street.

Liam just stood there, frozen, watching her go.

He didn’t even raise his hand to wave.

Because part of him didn’t want to stop her.

He could’ve said something. Done something. But deep inside… he knew she needed this. And selfishly? He also knew this might be exactly what he needed too.

No more worrying about her safety.

No more hesitating before every move.

No more distractions.

He was about to go wild—and now nothing was holding him back.

He turned on his heel and began walking home, the duffle bag slung over his shoulder. His steps were calm, steady, and each one felt like it was bringing him closer to something darker, more dangerous… something he had been craving all along. Tonight was the night he begin his journey.

—

Liam’s house was more silent than ever.

He stepped inside, dropped the bag beside the door, and walked into the kitchen before pouring himself a cold glass of water. But even as he drank, he found his thoughts drifting back to Ann.

It hadn’t even been a full hour.

Shaking his head, he set the glass down and ran a hand through his thick hair. “Damn it,” he muttered. “Focus.”

He turned and walked to the door. Locked it. Then, almost dramatically, he pulled the key from the lock and threw it across the room, watching it slide under the couch.

No more distractions.

He walked back to the living room and collapsed into his chair, staring at the ceiling. The silence was deafening. Peaceful, but eerie.

Then—Knock knock.

He frowned.

Who the hell…?

He had to lift the couch to remove the key and walked to the door unlocked it, pulling it open without much thought.

And then froze.

Lana.

Standing right there on his doorstep.

She wore a tight black turtleneck that hugged her hourglass figure perfectly. The shirt clung to every curve of her upper body, emphasizing the way her full chest pushed against the fabric, while her dark blue jeans wrapped around her hips like a second skin. Her long, dark brown hair was loose today, cascading down her shoulders in glossy waves. And her piercing green eyes shimmered beneath the light, sharp and breathtaking.

She looked like something out of a dream—flawless, seductive, and effortlessly elegant all at once.

Liam blinked.

He wasn’t sure if he was surprised… or stunned.

“Lana?” he finally said, voice low.

She stared at him too, eyes slowly trailing up and down his body. There was a flicker of something in her gaze—shock, maybe awe. As if she wasn’t expecting this version of him.

“You…” she began, voice soft, “you look… different.”

Neither of them moved. They just stood there, staring at each other in complete silence.

Liam coughed lightly and stepped back from the door, rubbing the back of his neck. As stunning as Lana looked standing there, he had other things to take care of. Time was ticking, and the last thing he needed was to get caught up in whatever mess she was bringing with her.

Lana seemed to pick up on the subtle hint. She blinked a few times and then cleared her throat, adjusting her shirt a bit as she straightened her posture. “Sorry,” she said quickly, regaining her composure. “I’m not here for small talk. I actually need your help.”

Liam squinted slightly. “Help? With what?”

She hesitated for a moment, biting her lip—a habit he noticed she only did when nervous. “I’ve been going through some tough time at work,” she started to explain.

But before she could say another word, Liam cut her off with a sharp wave of his hand. “Look, if this is about me watching your dad again while you’re gone, forget it,” he said firmly.

Hell no.

That memory flashed in his mind and gave him immediate PTSD. The last time he agreed to help Lana with something family-related, her mom nearly killed him alive. The woman looked like a demon and had the rage that fits her appearance. Liam had sworn on his ancestors that he would never get involved with Lana’s family affairs again.

Not again. Never again.

But Lana quickly shook her head, her earrings dancing with the motion. “No! It’s not that.”

Liam raised a brow, still unconvinced.

“I have this event,” she continued, her voice softer now. “A modeling event. It’s pretty important for my career, and I’m required to bring a partner. A guy. But not just anyone… they have to be someone—” she paused, looking him straight in the eyes, “good-looking.”

Liam blinked.

“That’s why I came here,” Lana said, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re literally the only person I could think of that fits the criteria.”

Liam leaned against the doorframe and let out a slow breath, shaking his head. “Look… I appreciate the flattery, really. But no thanks.”

Lana’s brows lifted slightly. “No?”

“I don’t do spotlights,” Liam said flatly. “Modeling event, cameras, fancy bullshit—nah. Not my thing.”

Lana stared at him for a second, as if hoping he would change his mind. But when she saw the look on his face, she exhaled and gave a small, understanding smile. “Alright… I get it,” she said quietly. “Thanks anyway.”

She turned around and walked down the porch steps slowly, her figure gradually blending into the afternoon light as she walked away. Liam watched her for a second—those tight jeans hugging every curve of her hips—and sighed.

He did wish he could help her.

But being around flashing lights, people staring at him, asking questions—not his scene. Especially not when he had bigger things on his mind.

With a shrug, he closed the door behind him and slid the bolt into place. He pulled the key from the lock and tossed it into his pocket, then turned and walked upstairs.

But instead of staying in, he went to his window.

He pushed it open with practiced ease, climbed up onto the sill, and then dropped down from the second floor, landing on the ground below like a shadow. Graceful. Silent. Smooth.

It was time.

Vanessa’s patrol schedule was carved into his brain like a second language. He didn’t need a watch. He didn’t need a map.

He knew where she would be.

Meanwhile…

Vanessa was behind the wheel of her patrol car, lazily chewing on a glazed donut as she cruised through the quiet streets. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel loosely while her other hand balanced the snack.

She was supposed to be focused—but hell, it was a slow day, and the donut shop had been calling her name.

A tiny speck of the glaze dropped onto her uniform pants. “Shit,” she muttered, glancing down to flick it off.

That’s when it happened.

THUD.

The car jolted suddenly as the front bumper struck something—or someone.

Vanessa’s heart leapt into her throat. “Oh, fuck me,” she cursed, instantly slamming the brakes and throwing the gear into park. She opened the door and jumped out.

But when she saw who was in front of her car…

Her eyes widened in pure disbelief.

Liam.

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