UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Chapter 28

Serena let out a cold laugh as she came over. Her gaze slid off me and landed on Maya, complicated.

"Maya, I know you’re hurting, but Liam isn’t your lifeline. This scene is dirty, but you have to learn to stand on your own."

Maya bit her lip, tears slipping down her cheeks, and murmured, "Serena, I’m sorry... I just... I’m so upset..."

Serena sighed, her tone softening. "Go back. The gala isn’t over. Don’t let Mr. Warren and the others notice anything."

Maya nodded and hurried back into the ballroom, leaving Serena and me facing off on the balcony.

The night breeze stirred the hem of her gown; the open neckline framed a sensual collarbone and a deep, shadowed curve, but her eyes were so cold they sent a chill down my spine.

"Liam, you’ve disappointed me."

Her voice was low and tired. "I thought you were different. Look at you—over a young woman, you tossed your bottom line."

My heart lurched. "Serena, that’s not what I meant! Maya’s just crushed. I only wanted to comfort her..."

"Comfort?"

She let out a brittle laugh, a flicker of hurt in her eyes. "Some comfort you’ve got."

She turned to go. I grabbed her forearm, my voice urgent. "Serena, listen to me! I know I messed up, but I never meant to hurt you!"

She stopped and looked back, her gaze complicated, as if packed with a thousand words that wouldn’t come out. "Liam, this industry is an abyss. The deeper you fall, the worse the wounds. I don’t want to watch you destroy yourself."

She shook off my hand and walked into the ballroom, her back as lonely as a shadow in the night.

I stood on the balcony, the wind clearing my head a little as guilt and emptiness surged like a tide.

Back in the ballroom, the party still raged. Serena stood at the center, smiling flawlessly, as if nothing had happened.

Maya kept her head down in a corner, clutching a glass of juice, eyes skittish, avoiding mine.

I started toward her, but Chloe walked up, handed me a drink, and smiled with layered meaning. "Busy out on the balcony, huh? Careful—play with fire, get burned."

Her tone was teasing, edged with warning. I gave a wry smile. "Ms. Chloe, I know I crossed a line."

She patted my shoulder; the warmth of her fingers bled through the shirt and made my heart skip. "Good. Remember it. This scene is full of temptation, but you have to learn restraint. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to protect yourself."

After the gala, I drove Maya back to her dorm.

She stayed silent the whole way, eyes still wet.

I parked and said softly, "Maya, I’m sorry. Tonight I lost control. Don’t overthink it. You’ve got a long road ahead—you’ll make it."

She nodded, voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Liam... I won’t give up."

Watching her go inside, I slumped in the driver’s seat, my mind a mess.

Serena’s disappointment, Maya’s kiss, Chloe’s warning—three blades hacking at my heart.

I clenched the wheel and told myself: Liam, get it together. This scene is a maze. Don’t let desire lead you around anymore.

Back at my apartment, my phone lit up with a message from Serena: "Liam, come to my place tomorrow. We need to talk."

Her tone was cool, but it made my chest tighten.

I knew tomorrow would be the turning point for us.

The Deep End