Chapter 186

Liam instinctively grabbed Cassandra's elbow as she stumbled. But the moment he realized who it was, his hand recoiled as if burned. His fingers sprang away.

Cassandra, caught mid-fall and expecting his support, lost her balance completely. Her heel twisted, her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground with a hard thud, landing awkwardly on her hip. Her clutch flew from her hand, skidding across the carpet.

A wave of gasps rippled through the press line, followed by an explosion of flashbulbs. Cameras clicked furiously as photographers captured every detail—her startled face, her dress bunched at the knee, a strap slipping off her shoulder. Two nearby assistants froze, unsure whether to help.

Liam took a step back. His hands dropped to his sides. He looked down at her, impassive.

From inside, Izzy blinked, registering the scene: Cass Sarano on the floor, in front of half the city's press, and Liam simply standing there.

Next to her, Cindy muttered, “Well… that’s one way to make an entrance.”

As if sensing Izzy's gaze, Liam turned, said nothing, and left Cassandra on the floor as he marched toward Izzy.

“He’s coming…” Cindy said, excitement in her voice for the first time. “Good thing you look perfect.”

Before Izzy could react, Liam was before her. “You look stunning,” he said, lowering his head and kissing her.

Izzy froze. Her eyes widened as Liam leaned in, his hand cupping her cheek. She barely reacted before his lips met hers.

The kiss wasn't rushed, nor drawn out. It caught her completely off guard. She didn't understand why he was doing this, here, in front of everyone. By the time she processed it, it was over.

Liam pulled back, looked at her, then reached for her hand. “I’m sorry I’m late,” he said simply. “Let’s go.”

Izzy didn't respond. She let him lead her through the crowd. Her steps followed his, but her thoughts lagged. Everything around her blurred into the background.

She could still feel the warmth of the kiss, but didn't know what to make of it. Her fingers curled into his palm. She glanced at him, then back at the hallway they were entering.

None of it felt real. It was like watching herself from the outside, as if dropped into someone else's life.

“What was that?” she whispered, quietly pinching his side. This man had just put her on the spot.

However, Liam didn't flinch. He simply glanced down at her with his usual calm expression.

Izzy, on the other hand, was still processing. Her mind replayed the scene—the sudden kiss, his nonchalant approach, the way he'd said she looked stunning without blinking. She'd kissed him before, many times, but never like this, never with so many witnesses, never as a declaration.

They stepped into a quieter part of the hallway, and the silence helped. Her face felt warmer, her heart loud. It was like everything caught up at once. Her hand was still in his, and her lips still tingled.

She pressed her palm to her cheek, immediately regretting it—it was burning. Why was she acting like a teenager?

Liam leaned down and took a glass of water offered by an usher, holding it out to her. “You should drink. Your face looks like it’s about to explode.”

Izzy snatched the glass, glaring. “You kissed me in front of fifty cameras.”

He raised an eyebrow. “So?”

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. He’d kissed her in front of everyone, and all he had to say was… so?

She blinked. Liam looked at her, calm as ever, as if nothing extraordinary had happened. Her heart fluttered. What was his deal?

He leaned down, so only she could hear. “You’re my wife,” he said. “Why wouldn’t I kiss my wife in public?”

Her breath caught. The words were soft, yet breathtaking. She wasn't used to this quiet tenderness. She knew how to handle corporate pressure and deadlines, but this… this was different.

She took a slow breath, but her chest felt too full, her emotions outrunning her thoughts.

Why did he do it? Her mind searched for a reason. Was it spontaneous? Planned? Simply Liam being Liam—decisive, bold, unapologetic? A statement? Or did he just want to?

Still, the image wouldn't leave her head. He’d left a famous actress on the floor, walked across the room as if nothing else mattered, and then kissed her—as if that was all that mattered.

Was that what made her feel lighter, happier, seen, proud? Maybe it was his naturalness, the quiet certainty, the lack of hesitation. Or maybe something else entirely.

Izzy didn't know yet, but one thing was clear—tonight would change everything. And just like that, the noise faded.

She stared at him for a few seconds before taking a sip of water to cool down. Her throat was fine; her face, however, felt red.

Liam said nothing. He simply kept walking, still holding her hand, as if the kiss hadn't short-circuited her brain in front of half the city.