Between Love and Duty

Chapter 1

Liam Chose, a student preparing for his internship, is blindsided when his family informs him that he is expected to marry Alaric White, the heir of the prestigious House White, immediately after he graduates. Coming from a family where he feels like the unwanted son, he dismisses the idea with disbelief.
That same night, Liam, filled with frustration, calls up his best friends to vent. The evening takes a wrong turn when he ends up drinking too much and wakes up to find himself entangled with a mysterious man in bed. As he lays there, half-awake and disoriented, he watches the stranger, whose smoky silhouette is both alluring and draining his ability to think clearly.
Attraction blooms between the two, sparking what they both agree to be a casual "relationship" that begins as nothing more than a mutual need for fun. However, months pass, and they haven’t defined their connection beyond physical attraction.
As Liam starts developing deeper feelings for the enigmatic stranger, he contemplates taking their arrangement more seriously. Yet, during a seemingly innocent job interview, he is jolted back to reality when he realizes the man he has been casually dating is none other than the new manager, Alaric White.
“What’s your background?” the interviewer asks in a voice that sends shivers down Liam's spine.
Liam looks up in shock, “You…?”
Alaric, adjusting his glasses, replies calmly, “I just started this position. No need to get so worked up.”
Liam’s internal dialogue screams disbelief. Their career paths seem vastly different, and he quickly discovers Alaric is not just a simple manager but a powerful force in the corporate world—a high-stakes business mogul who has been keeping his true identity concealed from Liam. As a result, Liam decides to put some distance between them. After all, it’s better to avoid someone whose influence he cannot handle.
As Liam’s internship comes to an end, he is unexpectedly summoned back home by his family, who are eager to push the engagement between him and Alaric. His family gathers in a formal meeting to persuade him to accept this so-called advantageous marriage.
Suddenly, there’s a commotion at the entrance, and in strides a poised man holding a bouquet of flowers. It’s Alaric White, unmistakable as the cold and calculating heir of House White. The atmosphere in the Chose household goes tense, with everyone holding their breath.
Liam, bewildered, remarks, “What are you doing here?”
Alaric simply states, “I’m here to propose.”
“Uh, but we just broke up?!” Liam reflects internally, stunned by this unexpected turn of events.
Seemingly unfazed, Alaric counters, “Just because we broke up doesn’t mean I can’t pursue you.”
“This isn’t exactly my idea of pursuing,” Liam mutters, exasperated.
While the rest of the Chose family observes the exchange in silence, they silently digest the shocking revelation: Alaric is not just another suitor, but a fierce competitor representing the very family they’re hoping to align with through marriage.
---
By late morning, as Liam reluctantly rouses from sleep, he's met with the laughter of his dorm mates. The group in Dormitory Hall debates where to eat, their voices barely muted, but the sense of camaraderie is palpable.
“Why even debate it? The Commons, obviously,” Edwin Stone, one of the friends, suggests, earning nods in agreement.
“Why?” another friend asks, sounding skeptical.
“Because I’m poor—no further reasoning needed,” Edwin quips, causing laughter to erupt.
From the upper bunk, a hand emerges from the curtain, pale and delicate, drawing curious glances. With a sudden motion, it pulls the curtain aside, revealing a tousled head of hair—Liam, still fighting off sleep. Squinting against the light, he half-heartedly protests, “You guys are getting food at The Commons, right? Bring me something back, and I’ll cash you out.”
“What do you want?” Edwin asks, still amused.
“Same as usual,” Liam mumbles as he settles back into the comforting folds of his blanket.
Liam’s dormitory atmosphere is relaxed, characterized by mutual respect. When he first moved in, he’d made an impression, showing up with high-end headphones and casual streetwear—an unassuming presence amidst the laughter and conversations.
As the day progresses, Liam is jolted awake again, this time to the aroma of food wafting through the air. He discovers a drink beside him and takes a sip, only to find it delightfully chilled.
“Who got this?” Liam asks, curiosity piqued.
“Rowan Goodwin sent it over,” Edwin nonchalantly replies.
“Man! I can’t believe I just drank something he picked out,” Liam spits it back into the cup, his face cringing. “I thought I was about to die.”
“I couldn’t refuse him. He insisted on giving it to you,” Edwin explains, shrugging his shoulders.
Throwing his blankets off in irritation, Liam storms to the Balcony of Light and peers down. Sure enough, there’s a foolish face basking in the sun, as if waiting for Liam’s acknowledgment.
Looking on, Edwin and Gareth Liang chuckle, entertained by the spectacle. “Wow, he’s still hanging around.”
“Bold move,” Gareth adds.
“Liam clearly isn’t interested. You’d think he’d take a hint,” Edwin comments, shaking his head.
The personality of Rowan snags the eye—persistent and almost desperate in his pursuit of Liam, who has had endless conversations with him, including Rowan’s infamous reply, “I believe steel can turn into a needle through persistence.”
Liam’s thoughts shift back to the peculiar relationship he holds with Alaric. It’s complicated, wrapped in confusion and ambivalence; a tension he never anticipated spilling over into his structured life.

Chapter 2

If Liam Chose wanted to soak up the sun, then fine—he'd let him bask all he wanted. With a dismissive toss, Liam threw his drink into the trash and cracked open his lunchbox to dig in.
As juniors nearing the end of their college life, they only had half a year until internships, and with classes dwindling, their schedules were blissfully light. They had plenty of free time, just like now.
During games, nothing irritates him more than notifications buzzing from WeChat or calls interrupting his concentration. Just his luck, some people seemed to have managed both.
Fighting the urge to smash his phone, Liam answered the call, keeping his voice flat. “What?”
There was a brief pause on the other end, then a hesitant voice came through. “You didn’t come home for winter break this year, and Mom and Dad are worried about you. They’re asking if you can make it back for summer.”
Liam raised an eyebrow, glancing at the caller ID—yup, it was his older brother.
He stood and moved to the Balcony of Light, locking the door. “Spit it out.”
This wasn’t just about missing winter break; he hadn’t gone home last year either, or the year before that. Home didn’t mean much to him.
As the third child, Liam felt insignificant. He didn’t have the grand achievements of his older brothers or the accolades of his sister, who had won an international competition last year. To him, he was just the family loser.
When he was ignored, they didn’t seem to care; now, out of the blue, they wanted to check in?
He scoffed at the thought.
The silence from the other side stretched a bit too long before a new voice broke in, “Liam, it’s Mom.”
He muttered an uninterested, “Mm-hmm.”
“Recently, our company invested in a new project, but our venture capital firm was caught off-guard by policy changes, and we're running out of time to recoup the investments.”
Liam wasn’t naive: “Are you saying you’re going bankrupt?”
“…Not quite that severe, but we do need some financial support.”
Liam cut her off immediately, “I don’t have money.”
“Your pocket change isn’t enough, but just a few days ago, we were finalizing a deal with House White. Do you remember Silas White? You two used to play together as kids.”
Liam replied bluntly, “Can’t remember.”
Clarissa Bright continued as if she hadn’t heard him, “Well, you were too young back then, anyway. Silas moved abroad for school early on, so it’s understandable. But he’s coming back next year, just in time for your graduation. Wouldn’t it be great if you two could reconnect over a potential marriage arrangement…”
A bombshell exploded in Liam's ears. He blinked in disbelief and interrupted her, “Are you suggesting I go into an arranged marriage?”
Sure, same-sex marriage was legal now, but an arranged marriage? No way in hell.
Liam launched into a debate: “What am I supposed to do? My big brother is married, my other brother isn’t, and now you want me to marry before I even graduate? That makes no sense!”
“There’s only half a year until your internship, anyway. You’ve said you don’t like working; marrying into a family that can support you sounds like a good deal.”
Liam laughed bitterly, “You can’t be serious.”
Clarissa was unrelenting, “This isn’t up for discussion. Everyone at home agrees. After you graduate and come back, you’re getting a marriage certificate.”
Before he could respond, Clarissa hung up on him.
He couldn’t even… what the hell?
The very idea made him feel unhinged. Just then, he spotted Rowan Goodwin down below, and it almost caused him to have a heart attack.
He needed some air. After contemplating for a moment, he glanced at his phone; it was Friday, and the weekend was stretching out in front of him.
Plenty of time.
...
Ten-thirty on Friday night, at a bar in Eldridge City.
Colorful lights wrapped around the bodies of various patrons, casting vibrant shadows across the room, while the air was thick with the smell of smoke, alcohol, and overpowering perfume.
At a bar stool, his best friend Julian Greeves absorbed the arranged marriage bombshell with wide eyes. After processing, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Silas White, huh? I’ve heard of that guy. Apparently, he goes wild in the gay scene overseas.”
Liam downed another drink and slumped against the table, “What the hell? And they want to marry me off to a jerk? It’s like every Chose is just awful.”
Julian blinked, catching his drift. “Uh, you’re a Chose too, dude.”
But Liam was too far gone to care. He was beyond tipsy, drowning his worries in alcohol.
He’d come all the way from Southshire to Eldridge City just to talk him through it, and here he was, getting trashed with Liam. Julian shot his friend a sympathetic glance and then couldn’t help but glance back a moment longer.
They both had noses and eyes, but Liam just had this ethereal beauty—smooth features paired with striking cheekbones. No matter the angle, he looked like he just stepped off the cover of a magazine.
Maybe that was why they were trying to set him up; he certainly caught more attention than his brothers ever did.
Liam pushed himself off the table, lifting his head. “What are you staring at?”
“Check out ten o'clock,” Julian replied, casually gesturing in that direction. “Look over there.”
As luck would have it, Julian pointed out an undeniably attractive guy.
Liam turned, but all he saw was a darkened booth where the lighting was too poor to see anything.
“I’ve never seen him before,” Julian added, sensing the stranger's unfamiliar vibe.
Liam rolled his eyes; “Is he hot or what?”
He turned back but still couldn’t quite place the face.
Julian, having downed half a bottle by now, stole another glance. While unfamiliar, something about that guy felt slightly recognizable—maybe he’d seen him in a magazine or something.
Could he be a celebrity?
After another drink, Julian couldn’t resist once more. “But seriously, you must be the first guy I know who’s not interested in handsome dudes. What’s up? Are you some sort of ice princess?”
“Um, excuse me?” Liam shot him a glare. “I think I’m just seeing blurry.”
On top of everything else going wrong in his life, that handsome dude wasn’t about to save him from his troubles.
Julian reacted with an exaggerated expression, losing the will to argue as the night carried on.

Chapter 3

"This can't be right. If it were, there’s no way he could forget."
Just then, the overhead lights swept across the crowded lounge, momentarily resting on a particular booth.
Julian Greeves caught a glimpse of the man's face and held his breath.
How to describe him? It's hard to put into words.
He looked remarkably tall, dressed in a loose-fitting suit with no tie, exuding a casual vibe. Though he lacked any obvious luxury, there was something profoundly captivating about him. It was evident he wasn't just an average guy.
Just as Julian was about to take a closer look, the man, seated among the crowd, suddenly glanced over.
"Liam, look, quickly!"
Liam Chose, slightly dazed, turned his head and inadvertently locked eyes with the stranger.
The man merely glanced at him, leaving a lingering impression that sent shivers down Liam's spine.
Liam couldn't help but let out an awkward belch, covering his mouth in embarrassment.
Julian smirked. "What do you think? Handsome, right? I have great taste."
After a moment, Liam pulled his gaze away and asked, "Is he better looking than Silas White?"
Julian paused, pondering, before replying, "I only met Silas a few years ago, but he was definitely a ten at ten o'clock."
Liam, a self-proclaimed beauty enthusiast, slammed his hands on the table in frustration. "I'd rather have a one-night stand with a stud than be stuck with a troll!"
Julian spat his drink in surprise.
---
Adrian Rivers had an innocent look with a charmingly sweet personality, which is why he was chosen to negotiate a marriage arrangement with Cedric Show, the head of the Shea family.
That night, Cedric, with his cold demeanor, curtly remarked, "I'm not interested in you. Besides your money, you won't gain anything from me. As for compensation, it could be a hundred grand a month, no max. Any questions?"
With Cedric's reputation for being ruthless and controlling, no one dared approach him. Adrian noted just how intense he could be.
Adrian, always the compliant one, replied, "No, no, I assure you!"
With that much cash, who could complain?
After spending some time together, Cedric’s impression of him shifted ever so slightly—but—
Adrian frequently strolled around their home in nothing but a white shirt, his long legs on display.
Or he would coyly flirt, even going so far as to cook for him.
Cedric furrowed his brow, warning, "Keep your thoughts to yourself."
Adrian’s eyes brightened. "Ah, I'm just pining for my unreachable crush, you know?"
Cedric was left speechless.
---
Adrian sensed that Cedric had been extra nice to him recently because he mentioned not wanting to eat alone. Ever since, Cedric returned each night, bringing him treats and even warming his milk to help him sleep.
Adrian thought: This guy doesn’t bat an eye at a hundred grand a month and still offers such stellar after-sales service!
Soon enough, Cedric began cooking for him, although his culinary skills left room for improvement.
But still unabashedly, he asked, "Who do you prefer, my cooking or that of the one you admire?"
Adrian considered the monthly allowance of a hundred grand: "Why, yours, of course! You're the best, my dear strongman!"
But after their agreement was set to expire, Adrian looked forward to indulging in the cash.
Cedric caught up with him, the expression on his face a mix of danger and sly amusement. "Let's renew our contract. I'll give you what you want. You’re the only heir to the Shea family."
---
Julian Greeves couldn’t quite comprehend those outrageous words. He glanced slowly at Liam Chose, whose eyes were glazed from the drink, and felt a sudden panic. "I'll get you a room; you can sleep here tonight."
Being a student at Eldridge University, with curfews in place, it was common for students to stay here late if needed. Julian snapped his fingers, telling Liam to wait while he found the manager.
But the drunken Liam only vaguely registered the mention of a room.
Having over-imbibed, his bladder full, he leaned against the table, wobbling as he stood up to head to the restroom. Upon leaving, he turned the corner only to feel a hand unexpectedly grip his arm.
“Little Le!”
The familiar voice sent a jolt through Liam, and he jerked away, hopping three steps back, pressing against the wall as if cornered. “What the hell? Why are you stalking me?”
Witnesses merely paused for a moment before returning to their own business, clearly accustomed to such outbursts.
Rowan Goodwin wore an innocent expression. “I was worried about you, so I came to check. It’s too dangerous for you to be alone here. Let’s go back!”
Feeling his mood plummet, Liam’s distaste flowed freely: "Get lost! I'm here to avoid you! If you don’t stop following me, I’ll call the cops!”
Rowan’s expression darkened at Liam’s harsh words, but he knew Liam was intoxicated, making it even more crucial to get him away from there.
He pressed his lips together and stepped forward, intending to pull him away.
Just then, someone slipped between them.
This was a narrow corridor, a public space.
Rowan retracted his hand, suppressing his irritation. "Sorry."
A chill wafted toward Liam, mixed with cold, woody fragrance, standing out amidst the smoky, alcoholic air.
In that fleeting moment, as the man slipped past, Rowan looked up only to find Liam had vanished.
---
"I’m so furious!" Liam yelled, clinging to Julian Greeves.
On returning to discover Liam missing, Julian frantically searched the area until he collided with Liam, who stumbled into his arms. He shook Julian in a frenzy. “Okay, I got you a room. You go rest, and don’t worry; I promise Rowan won't find you. I’ll check on you tomorrow around noon.”
Liam was itching to smash a booze bottle at this point. He wasn’t about to sit alone in a hotel room. “Drink! I won’t leave until I’m hammered. Let’s keep going!”

Chapter 4

Liam Chose was a complete mess, resembling a heap of mud more than a drunken man at this point.
Julian Greeves had originally intended to help Liam upstairs, but Liam was reacting like he had experienced severe trauma.
“Okay, okay, I won’t touch you. Damn, this Rowan Goodwin has really done a number on you.”
Liam squinted tiredly, struggling to keep his eyes open, and waved his hand dismissively, clearly uninterested in discussing that person further. “Just give me the room key. I can manage on my own.”
“Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“A man can’t say he’s not capable, alright?”
Julian followed Liam into the elevator. It was Friday night, and the hotel was packed. Julian’s room was on the sixth floor, while Liam's was on the twelfth—half the floors away.
As they reached the sixth floor, Julian said, “I’ll catch you later.”
Liam leaned against the elevator wall, grunting in response, seeming impatient as he waved Julian off.
In a hazy daze, he glanced at the keycard and quickly located his room number. However, no matter how he inserted the card, there was no response. Furious, Liam kicked the door, and to his surprise, it swung open.
Liam chuckled, “Finally! You’re smart enough to give in. I’ll reward you next time.”
With that, he staggered into the room and without a second thought, collapsed onto the bed.
The tall man lingering at the door, Alaric White, watched him with deep-set eyes while raising an eyebrow slightly at Liam’s behavior.
Liam rolled onto his side in bed, clutching his stomach, which was clearly a bit upset.
He hadn’t even settled before a faint, cold scent lingered near him. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he propped himself up and instinctively embraced the man in front of him.
A soft sigh escaped him as he found comfort.
Alaric looked down at Liam, his fingers brushing gently against the younger man’s soft cheek, tracing the contours down to the warm side of his neck.
A phone rang out loudly in the silence, jarring the atmosphere. Alaric answered.
“Lord White, I apologize for interrupting your rest. The manager of Deepworth Capital has arranged someone for your room. If you’re not interested, you can simply have them leave.”
The manager was sweating bullets after making that call. Everyone in their circles knew that Lord White hated those kinds of arrangements, and yet here they were, stepping on his toes.
“Understood,” Alaric replied in a voice deep and smooth like a cello, the kind that made Liam's ears tingle. He let out a soft murmur of acknowledgment, waking the confused manager before Alaric hung up.
He tossed his phone onto the carpet and pulled away from Liam.
Suddenly devoid of the warmth, Liam blinked in confusion, his face frozen for a moment, processing what had just happened.
With a hint of tenderness, Alaric wiped at the corner of Liam's mouth, coolly asking, “What do you want?”
Liam hesitated, lost for words. What did he want? To sleep, perhaps. He was thoroughly exhausted.
“Yeah, I want it. Give it to me.”
Then he heard a soft laugh, and darkness enveloped him before he caught his breath. Heat flooded over him, and the sensation that mingled with excitement and discomfort came crashing back.
Meanwhile, an anxious boy stood outside, shivering in the cold: “…”
He couldn't tell if it was pain or pleasure; all he knew was Liam felt utterly drained and slowly succumbed to the darkness.
When Liam finally woke, everything felt clouded. He opened his eyes to find a stranger sitting at the bedside, facing away from him.
“…………”
Julian Greeves? It didn’t seem like him.
Until the man turned his head.
Liam’s eyes widened, his limbs tangled in the blanket as he scrambled up, now tucked away in the corner.
This man, clad in a loosely tied bathrobe that revealed his muscular chest adorned with various marks and scratches, held a cigarette, releasing a lazy puff of smoke into the air.
In the swirling haze, the man’s refined features looked almost intoxicating. Liam blinked, feeling as though he had been shot straight through the heart.
So handsome… so incredibly handsome.
Wait, wait, wait. What was going on?
Why was there suddenly a man at his bedside?
Noticing Liam’s startled expression, the man furrowed his brow and spoke in a cool, aloof voice, “Are you feeling unwell?”
“…” Liam’s thoughts were frozen, his mind racing to respond with utter honesty, “My… my butt hurts.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, every urge he felt to retract his statement surged within him.
Alaric stubbed out his cigarette, maintaining a cool demeanor as he tugged at the blanket, intending to check on him.
Liam, aware he was without clothes, panicked and pressed down on the blankets, “What are you doing?”
"You were clinging to me last night. I want to see."
A thunderbolt of realization struck Liam; it dawned on him what had transpired, but at that moment, all he could think about was stopping this man from looking at him.
“I don’t hurt anymore,” he protested.
Alaric glanced up at him briefly.
“I… I really enjoyed it last night,” Liam admitted, his heart racing.
Alaric let go of the blanket.
Liam exhaled in relief. He spoke the truth; despite being drunk, his body had felt incredibly alive, but discomfort lingered, considering it had been his first experience.
As he sat there, trying to make sense of it all, he heard the man ask, “Are you a student?”
“...Yes.”
Alaric's expression tightened further.
Realizing that even though he’d been on the receiving end, he couldn’t appear to be a complete pushover, Liam squared his shoulders. “You work here.”
He remembered Julian mentioning that this nightclub offered discreet services for a price, but nothing too overt.
The more he thought about it, the more it began to seem probable that he had gotten carried away last night and stumbled into something he hadn’t expected.

Chapter 5

Alaric White, the owner of the establishment, nodded slightly. "I'm a local here."
Liam Chose suddenly realized that this was indeed where he had been looking for.
Wow, he's incredibly handsome and working in this line of business. The competition must be tough these days.
An awkward silence was interrupted by a series of soft clucks from the kitchen.
Alaric picked up the phone and punched in a few numbers, asking Liam what he wanted to eat.
Seeing how familiar Alaric was with the place, Liam rattled off a few dishes.
Alaric chuckled. "You certainly know how to pick good food."
Liam mistook this for Alaric never having had such fine dining before, so he awkwardly added, "I’ll treat you."
Alaric raised an eyebrow.
After taking a shower and changing into a robe, Liam settled onto a cushy seat and began to eat at a leisurely pace.
He was a full-on looks guy; Rowan Goodwin just didn’t have it going on. So, Liam had no hesitation in rejecting him, which only made Rowan more persistent.
But now he had finally found a stunningly good-looking guy, only to discover he was working at a place like this.
House Chose was a reputable name in Northvale, even if it was one stepping precariously close to bankruptcy. Liam had seen plenty of shady dealings in the upper echelons of society; relationships with sugar daddies were as common as cars on the street.
Thinking about this, Liam’s gaze flicked over to Alaric, who caught his eye.
Deciding to throw caution to the wind, Liam boldly said, “Let’s exchange contact information.”
Alaric understood the implication immediately. “You mean, date? Like, actually date?”
Liam blushed; he felt like he’d just been caught. “...You’re not interested.”
At least serving the same benefactor would be easier than always dealing with different people, right?
"You can think about it," Alaric replied.
Think about it?
“Why?”
“You're still young.”
“…”
The way he spoke made Alaric sound like an old soul from the ‘80s.
Yet, when it was time to part ways, Alaric handed him a note with his contact information written neatly in bold, powerful strokes.
Liam stared at the name.
White.
White.
What a silly name.
Once he started dating him, Liam decided he’d give Alaric a stage name: "The Stalwart."
Liam headed down to the first floor to find Julian Greeves, but a server informed him that Julian was already waiting in the lobby. So he rushed down the elevator.
As the floors switched from 6 to 1, the doors opened, revealing Julian.
Julian raised an eyebrow. “I thought you’d be out like a light.”
Liam, feeling a bit flustered, adjusted his coat. “...Not really.”
Just a bit sexually exhausted, that’s all.
It was April. The weather was neither cold nor hot, but the wind carried a cool bite.
Julian didn’t pick up on anything unusual, muttering, “Let’s grab breakfast—uh, lunch.”
“I’ve already eaten.”
Julian blinked.
Clearing his throat, Liam added, “I have to head back to school. Call me if something comes up.”
As he tried to walk away, Julian tugged him back, disbelief in his eyes. “It’s Saturday. Are you sure you have classes?”
“Class or not, I gotta go back. I’m still failing calculus; I need to catch up.”
“You saying that sounds too much like someone else I know,” Julian retorted, staring at Liam.
Liam felt caught, fidgeting. “I’ve almost graduated. I still need to make up last year’s failed courses!”
Julian eyed him skeptically, noticing something on Liam's neck, but their conversation was interrupted by a cleaning staff member walking by.
The Nightingale was closed during the day for cleaning and only opened at five, making it eerily quiet.
Julian waved the cleaner down. “Auntie Marigold, where's the fire?”
Julian was a regular, well-acquainted with the manager, so everyone knew him here.
Wearing a mask, the cleaner replied, “There’s someone waiting at the entrance since early morning. They must be looking for someone.”
Soon after, another server joined, glancing at Julian. “That person says they’re looking for Liam Chose. They were here a long time last night and left after closing. Didn't expect them to show up again this early. They’ve been standing there for hours, can we just let it go? I’ll treat you to a drink tonight if you help sort this out.”
Staff were reluctant to rush guests along.
Julian, unrestrained by the usual customer service protocols, exchanged puzzled looks with Liam before heading to the door to peek out.
Standing there wasn’t anyone other than Rowan Goodwin.
Liam felt a sense of dread wash over him.
With his hair tousled by the wind, Rowan's face was set with determined anger as he walked toward them. Julian hurried to catch up.
Liam snapped, “What are you doing here? You didn’t go home? You can't even head back to school? Are you homeless or something? You looking for me is pointless; I’m not your parent… If I were, I would've buried you ages ago.”
Julian was taken aback.
Rowan remained expressionless, his voice hoarse, “I waited for you all night. You didn’t come out. I… was worried about you.”
Liam dropped his grip on his coat, his voice coming out like a hiss, “What, were you moved by your own antics? Meeting you must have been the worst luck of my life. Just get lost, or I swear I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Julian watched the exchange closely and suddenly noted something on Liam’s neck.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he caught sight of the marks.
“Who did that to your neck…”
Liam paused, processing the situation, before quickly regaining his composure and retreating slightly, wrapping an arm around Julian’s. “Last night was quite the adventure.”

There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading "Between Love and Duty"

(It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app).

❤️Click to read more exciting content❤️