AARON WALLACE POV

Time generally slips away unnoticed whenever I am with Lively. She is my happy calling, the one that makes everything else fade away. Therefore, dwelling in her is a healing process no one understands, even if I were to speak, so I keep it to myself.

Amidst my family crises and now my own added on top, I simply want to be as open with her as possible. She deserves nothing less than my entirety. Of course, if she decided to accept me with the damages that I am, which God, I pray fervently that she does, for I have nothing greater to wish for. And if that wish comes true, then we must hasten the wedding, as Grandpa rightly advised. Not to mention, I've resumed our relationship at a rapid pace, making advances to her, meeting her family, and letting her in on my dysfunctional one. The possibility of her being mine feels almost within reach. From the day we flew out to San Francisco and played house, has led to internal questions about what more we could be, duplicating in my mind. Sometimes, I envision her vividly in my home, wearing my shirt, wandering barefoot with her hair cascading down her shoulders. I imagine her selecting my outfit from the wardrobe for work and even sleeping naked next to me—a fantasy I know is odd given that she's hesitant to let me truly see her.

I'm aware I'm far from being the best of men, nowhere near to what she deserves. She is too pure, while I had once made myself the villain in her life. Her story is unconventional; some might call it upside-down, and others might deem her delusional for forgiving someone who hurt her. I'm doing everything in my power to prove them wrong. If being considerate, as she has demanded, will earn me a point, then I'll try—even though it's unfamiliar territory for me.

Driven by these thoughts, my head begins to ache. Rubbing my head, I hear the bustling noise and chill music drifting from the beach deck. I have left the room seeking some fresh air, but I couldn't help but follow my curiosity down to the main deck, where I spot a full-blown party in progress. Until my eyes land on an unwelcome guest.

Ruby.

Goddammit.

Spotting the twins, I realize how she got here. I hadn't planned on going anywhere, intending only to return to our cabin and have some snuggles with Liv. But now, I'm barefoot, storming down the stairs in active bull mode, ready to remove Ruby from this yacht before Lively finds out.

Mason and Emersyn are conversing with the three serpents I can't haunt. They all noticed my approach, my eyes holding the three girls hostage with unrelentingly mad glares, tracking their direction as I was ready to unleash whatever it may be without giving two fucks about the presence of strangers going about the area.

Who even are these people? Who invited them?

Mason, seeing the state I was in, excuses himself from the group and calmly rushes over, meeting me halfway before things escalate.

"Hey, hey," he says, restraining me.

"What the fuck?" I spat as he scanned the area, closing the space between us so there was no suspicion to give away.

"Aaron, calm down. We're not alone," he urges, his voice low and composed.

"Whose idea was this?" I fiercely held his gaze, trying to assess this fuck-up. For all I care, let all news channels talk about it, as long as Liv doesn't have any distrust toward me. "Didn't I say I wouldn't do this if it endangered Liv's peace? So this is a plot, isn't it?" We discussed this, and they promised it would only be us—no parents, and sure as hell, no surprises. Yet here we are, with the venomous girl who has a history of being at Lively's throat.

"Bro, I had no idea," Mason hushedly convinced, peering at me earnestly. "No one knew. Trust me, I know it's uncalled for, but you know Mallory and Meadow—they always do things like this."

My gaze shifts to the rebellious twins. Emersyn wrestles them away from Ruby, who flips her hair and heads for the bar as if she owns the place.

Yeah, why not make herself comfortable?

I promise she doesn't want to test my patience.

Pinching the bridge of my nose with a grimace, I shut my eyes and took a calming breath. I need to clear my head to fix this. There is no good in being a slave of my emotions right now

Mason squeezes my shoulder. "Look, calm down and have a civil conversation with her without drawing attention. The last thing you need right now is for photos to spread and make this situation bigger than it already is. That's what she's trying to squeeze out of you and you know it. It wouldn't be only what Grandpa has to say, it is what Lively's family will think of you. You should have Keenan quietly escort Ruby out. Okay?" he suggests civilly, and I take a deep breath. "Are you okay?" he asks, his concern evident as he dips his head studying me until I meet his gaze. I nod, gritting my teeth.

I'm not okay.

Mentally seething, I saunter toward the bar with the disciplined reminder of how easily things could escalate if we aren't in control of our sanity. That thin patience was the only thing holding me back from outbursts. The bartender behind the counter didn't wait for the order to disappear from there; he wisely dismissed himself.

"I missed you," Ruby started in her usual fake fruity accent, setting down the cup in her hand and moving to throw her arms around me. Impulsively, I withdraw, shooting a warning glare at her, and her smile slips in frustration. "I didn't realize I disgusted you so much when you fuck me every chance you get."

'Composure and control,' my inner voice urges. 'Like a game of cards, don't let the other person in front of you know what you're feeling.'

"Do not make it sound one-sided," I retort, shrugging smugly. Despite my desire to emulate Lively's kindness, some people simply don't deserve it. Lively is too naive to understand that. "You agreed to stay despite knowing I wouldn't give you my all. I never promised you a future; you simply persisted."

Her visage turned irritated as she glared at me, her bulging eyes blazing like torches

"You didn't tell me you'd jump to another fuck because God knows, you're not built to be a family man just yet. How long until you abandon her too, since it's obvious you have a penchant for that? However, it seems she has no issue being your second choice for the second time. How pitiful," She spat with a firm bitterness, and I reluctantly raised my brows in amusement. I couldn't swallow what I heard; my feelings didn't actually match my facade. But under no circumstance will Ruby know she's gotten to me, so I keep my head tipped up and watch her as if I'm unaffected and immune to her attitude. "The girls said she was your high school fling. What do you need from her, a family servant? I get it; you're having fleeting fantasies of sleeping with a maid, but it'll all come crashing down. Cinderella was fiction. In reality, a prince marries a princess. You and I deserve a chance," She preached, desperately searching my eyes for agreement as she aired out rubbish, hoping it all pan out in her favor. My lips twitch into a smirk as I listen quietly. She scowls, her nostrils flaring with each breath. "Your aunt called me. We had a meeting in New York last week. She said they all believe in us. Aaron, even when you question where you're gravitating towards. Your family knows what's best for you; they love you. This is when you need them the most."

Hopefully, she's finished with her rehearsed speech that she must have been preparing since news of Lively broke.

Nodding, I rolled my eyes, equipped to speak my piece. Leaning closer so she could hear me without yelling—well, not that it was necessary, but I preferred it this way. The malice on her face immediately dropped at my proximity, freezing her in place, flush and stiff-handed close to her chest. To cast a sliver of hope and then snatch it away from those who don't deserve it. And Ruby is one of those hypocrites who should be treated as such.

"You and I are over, Ruby. What's with the denial?" I murmured in her ear, then conveniently pulled back to watch her reaction, which didn't disappoint. Let's just say she resembled an angry child about to throw a tantrum. "Let's be clear: I have no doubts about where I'm gravitating towards. I KNOW DAMN WELL I'M MARRYING LIVELY, so you better get rid of any delusions you have about us ever happening. Just leave this place for everyone's peace."

She was raging, futile malice in her eyes because we both knew there wasn't much she could do but bark insults at Liv, which I wouldn't tolerate either, hence she would particularly leave right away. "Shame. Aunty Kathleen was right. She had you under some sorcery."

She's still calling my aunt hers too. Okay!

With an intentional snarl on my lips, I averted my eyes from her and glanced back to where I believed I heard the familiar voice of Keenan. He should come get her out of here. When I turned, I was correct; Keenan was there, but Liv shouldn't have been, and yet she was. My heart leaped into my throat.

At first, she smiled—vibrant and optimistic about many things, but not about what she was about to learn. Suddenly, in the span of a heartbeat, the color drained from her face, and her meaningful eye contact captured me, speaking so many words, and all it conveyed to me was her ache and the ashes of the crash of her trust in me, suspended in the air.

She cried. I made her cry. Hell invaded all my joy, and I felt intense anger at myself. She wiped away the tears, realizing she was crying, then startledly spun, racing away from me.

How could all this happen in such a short time? I wouldn't let her escape anymore.

"No! Liv?" I chased after her. Screw any possible leaking rumors about this; I would grovel in front of the universe for her to believe me. She was speeding, and with every heavy breath she took, she had to digest the reality of why she was running from me.

This is not déjà vu unless I let it be.

"Lively, please, stop."

She wasn't stopping. She ran up all the staircases to the one leading to our cabin, coming across crew members carrying luggage. I was within reach to grab her and tell her how much I loved her without holding back anymore when Kyle descended from the sun deck along with the famous model who's the female face of the Wallace clothing brand.

They were the cause of my delay, slowing me down and letting Liv distance a few steps away. My cousin lowered his sunglasses to the bridge of his nose when he witnessed the situation and dumbly shook his head, mouthing "What's happening?"

He lied to me; he couldn't have the fucking weekend he arranged under control. We'll deal with that later.

Ignoring them, I sprinted through the doors, practically running before Liv could reach the cabin door and shut me out. "Hey, hey." Finally, I had her hand in mine in the lounging area that only we had access to, free from eavesdroppers.

"Let me go. Do not touch me." She furiously yanked away, and I let her. I understood how she felt, but it wasn't what she thought.

"LIV?" I sternly let out, without having anything more to say. Unlike my grandfather and father, I wouldn't ask her to camouflage her emotions because someone could hear or see her. If anything, I wanted to know she cared.

"What was that? Why—why was she touching you? She was—" her voice broke, her eyes shedding new tears as she folded her arms around herself. "So what's the plan? Are you going to get rid of me again and act like I never existed, and ask for your ring? Oh god—" she shakily pulled it off her beautiful finger at the reminder and strode toward me, holding it out.

No, no, no.

Fearing like my entire world was about to be set on fire, I took a step forward before she could reach me, and wrapped my hands over hers that were holding back the ring, seizing it from her. The wrenching sorrow that flashed in her eyes as she devastatingly broke out crying, like everything she knew had shattered, bluntly cut through every ounce of me.

She believed I was going to do it again. I wouldn't, even if I had a gun to my head.

"Liv, when you take a ring, you don't return it like some borrowed pen."

Shock glinted in her wet eyes as she strangely watched me, and I carefully unfolded her clenched fingers, slipping the ring back where it would abide until eternity was no longer a concept. She eyed me as if I had grown two heads.

At this moment, I would give everything to know what she was thinking, but while it was impossible, I took advantage of what wasn't. I devoured her beauty.

She shook her head, refusing the declaration in my eyes, silently communicating with her.

"You keep hurting me every time I open up to you. It's draining me. I want to believe you, but I'm afraid I'm risking too much. It's dangerous. It's not like before; there is now so much at stake." She pulled her hand out of my hold, and once again, I let her. Standing in the middle of the room, watching her pull on her hair, crying, when it was the last thing I ever wanted when I said I wanted a second chance for us.

"I don't want to hurt you anymore, believe me."

She stopped and swung her wounded eyes to me. "What is she doing here then? Why did you bring me here?"

It was rare for me to be this pathetic, to lose my voice, struggle with words, or feel a chain around my throat because I was struck with emotions, but they rained upon me like a storm, all right now. I fucking ended up stuttering, "I—I swear I didn't know she was coming. I just found out."

Let her allow me to hug and comfort her so that I could also find solace. If there's one thing I've learned now, it's that her pain was like a blazing spike, snared in my heart. I couldn't bear it. Funny, but painfully true.

"You were talking to her—" her voice trailed off, and she looked away as more tears ran down her face.

She was jealous.

"Telling her clearly to leave this place, that I am marrying you," I firmly disclosed.

Her eyes flew back to me, and she took in the sight of me from top to bottom. "But your shirt—she was touching you," her lips quivered.

"I wasn't aware of that, your presence put away everything in the background," I reach towards her, and her head lowers, her gaze fixed on her restless hand rolling the ring around her finger. She inhales softly, but I hear her.

"I'm jealous of anyone with you," she vulnerably admits, her voice hoarse and wavering. "I'm insecure, I'm terrified. God, I'm a woman in distress. I'm not prepared for a heartbreak caused by you. I'm not—" she choked, gesturing with her hand in the air, and I gently intervened, running my fingers through her restless hand. "Liv," I tenderly lift her chin to make her look up at me. Her face is flushed, and her eyes are bloodshot as they hold mine. "You should never have to feel jealous, scared, or terrified. I have to admit I'm already appalled by touches that aren't yours. So if anything, it's my heart that breaks every time you turn your back and run away from me because I'm scared of losing you. I swear, Liv, I'll do anything to never let that happen."

Her eyes soften, she swallowed, lips briefly pressed into a thin line before she tiredly mutters, "I don't want her around you."

"It's not even a thing. She'll leave," I reassured her, caressing the trail of her smooth jaw. "You have all of me, Liv. That's what's in store when a person is committed to someone else. They don't go back to exes or break off an engagement."

She smiled for the first time, biting her lip. "Are you committed to me?"

"Look at you," I smirked as she blushed, and I delicately pinched her red cheek. She shyly averted her eyes, oddly focusing on my lips. I don't understand this sort of mortification, but all I know is that it aligns with everything I stand for at this moment because, God, I want her lips on mine, my tongue in her throat. "I'd be foolish not to be. Until the end of time, if you let me."

She nods, her innocent eyes flicking above her full lashes. That does it. I let go of her hand and cup both her cheeks, steadying her face as I kiss her right then and there, savoring greedily every ounce of her sweet lips. She pulls me closer with her arms around my neck, and the easiest way to continue is to pick her up around my waist and carry her to the cabin.