Page 100 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

Before I can overthink it, my body moves on its own accord. I reach out, my fingers tentatively brushing against his cheek. His gaze softens, and he leans into my touch. The warmth of his body immediately gives me a familiar comfort.

“Liam,” I whisper, his name a hesitant murmur on my lips.

He cups my face in his hands once more, his thumbs gently stroking my cheeks. “Emma,” he echoes, his voice husky with emotion.

And then, as if drawn by an invisible force, our lips meet. The kiss is hesitant at first, a tentative exploration of uncharted territory. But then, something shifts. The dam holding back my emotions breaks, and I pour everything—the hurt, the fear, the overwhelming love—into that kiss.

He responds with equal fervor, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me close. The world around us melts away, leaving only the heat of his touch and the desperate rhythm of our hearts.

When we finally break apart, gasping for breath, our foreheads rest against each other. Tears stream down my cheeks, a mixture of relief and joy.

“I love you, Emma,” he confesses, the words tumbling out in a rush.

I smile, a genuine, heartfelt smile that lights up my entire soul. “I love you too, Liam. More than words can say.”

He holds me close for what feels like an eternity, the silence filled with the unspoken promises that hang heavy in the air.

Now a future is possible. A future built on love, trust, and the promise of a tiny miracle growing inside me.

33

LIAM

Emma is nestled in my arms on the couch, her head resting on my chest. The soft glow of the evening light filters through the curtains, casting a warm, golden hue over her face. I can’t help but stare at her, marveling at how beautiful she is. Her hair, a cascade of reddish-brown waves, tickles my arm. I brush a stray lock behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her soft skin.

I feel incredibly lucky. My mind drifts to a future where we have a little one running around. I imagine stepping out with our son or daughter, while Emma waits for us in the yard, her face glowing with a bright smile. The thought brings a smile to my lips.

“What’s making you smile like that?” Emma asks, looking up at me with a curious expression.

I gently caress her cheek. “I was just dreaming about our future. You, me, and our son or daughter.”

She chuckles softly. “Which one do you want?”

“A daughter,” I say without hesitation.

Her eyebrows arch playfully. “A daughter? Why?”

I grin. “So I can spoil her rotten and be proud of her. Plus, I think she’d look just like you.”

Emma narrows her eyes at me in mock offense. “And what’s wrong with having a miniature version of you?”

“Nothing,” I laugh. “But I’ve always pictured having a little girl. Someone I can protect and cherish.”

“Well, I want a son,” she declares, poking me in the chest. “A little boy who’s just like you.”

We argue jokingly, the playful banter filling the room with laughter. “Okay, okay,” I finally concede, pulling her closer. “I’ll be happy no matter what. Boy or girl, as long as they’re ours.”

She smiles and kisses me gently. “Agreed.”

Our lips meet in a tender kiss, the warmth of her body melting into mine. I hold her tightly, savoring the moment. When we pull apart, she rests her head back on my chest, her fingers tracing lazy circles on my arm.

“I want our relationship to be real now,” I say quietly, my voice filled with determination.

Emma looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. “What do you think everyone will do when they find out we’ve been fake dating all this time?”

I chuckle, thinking about it. “Well, they’ll probably be shocked. Damon might try to kill me when he finds out I got you pregnant while we were supposedly fake dating.”

She laughs softly, shaking her head. “The dating might have been fake, but our feelings were real.”

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