The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 174

Ella

I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed spending one–on–one time with Liam until we were sitting across from each other at a divey sports bar downtown, sharing a plate of chips and dip while a group of rather rowdy men in soccer jerseys cheered around a television at the bar.

“You look incredible,” he said, gesturing at me with a tortilla chip topped with chunky salsa. He popped the chip into his mouth and spoke around it. “Seriously, Ella. There’s something different about you.”

I touched my face self–consciously. “It’s just the pregnancy glow everyone talks about. Dr. Evelyn says it’s perfectly normal.”

“No, it’s more than that.” Liam leaned back in his chair, studying me with those perceptive eyes of his.” You’re… I don’t know how to explain it. You seem genuinely happy. Like, actually happy, not just putting on a show for the cameras.”

The observation caught me off guard. Was I that transparent? I picked at the appetizer, trying to think of how to respond.

“Things have been good lately,” I admitted after a few moments. “The morning sickness is awful, but everything else… Alexander and I have found a rhythm that works.”

“A rhythm.” Liam raised an eyebrow. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

way he looks at you, the way you lean into him when you think no one’s watching…” He shrugged. “You both seem

heated up immediately. “We’re just getting

“Right. For the baby.”

down my neck. The truth was, I had been

might jinx

between us.

the other day,” I found myself saying

“Oh?”

would do if there was no contract between us.” The words tumbled out of my mouth in a rush.

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Chapter 174

+15 BONUS

carefully. “And what did you

before I could say anything.” I fidgeted with my napkin. “But sometimes I wonder if… if maybe he’s thinking about ending the contract.

how would you

finally admitted. “I mean, I want to hope, but I don’t want to give myself false