Love Beyond Bargain

t. "It'sLiam." She didn't respond immediately, and he could almost hear the hesitation in her silence. Finally, she spoke, her voice careful. "What is it?" "I've been t

erything I can to help you through this." It had been a few weeks since Lila moved into Liam's mansion. At first, everything had been strictly business between them-an arrangement to get through the pregnancy with as little drama as possible. But as the days passed, Liam found himself noticing things about Lila that he hadn't before. Her quiet strength, her dedication to her studies despite everything she was going through, the way she took care of herself and the baby. He saw how hard she worked at school, balancing her assignments and part-time job, and how she tried her best to remain independent, despite her circumstances. And every time he looked at her, it was impossible not to feel something more than just duty. There was a kindness in her that pulled at him, something that made him want to protect her, to do more for her than just offering a place to stay. Liam found himself thinking about her even when they weren ' t together. In his moments of downtime, he would catch himself imagining how he could make things easier for her, and before he realized it, he was going out of his way to buy things for her-little thoughtful gifts. A new sweater when he saw her shivering one morning. Fresh fruit and flowers that he knew she loved. Even small things like her favorite snacks from a café he passed by on the way home. He justified it to himself. It's for the baby. She's carrying my child. It's the least I can do. But each time he saw her smile, each time she thanked him with that warmth in her eyes, it was harder to deny the feelings stirring inside him. Liam wasn't used to feeling like this. He had always been in control, always the one to decide what he wanted. But with Lila, it was different. She was quiet, strong, yet vulnerable in a way that made him want to step up, to be someone worthy of her. He began to take her out more-just the two of them. They'd go to small restaurants or take evening walks in the park. Sometimes, he'd drive her to school and wait in the car to make sure she was settled before she went inside. His excuse was simple: It's for the baby. I'm just making sure everything is okay. But there were moments-those small, intimate moments-where the line between obligation and something deeper started to blur. He didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't help how he felt. And he was starting to realize that what he had been telling himself wasn