chapter 9

As Mark's eyes drifted shut, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. Liam's small body, despite being malnourished, felt warm and safe in his arms. The vibration of his phone had momentarily broken the spell, but Damien's message had only added to his gratitude.

Mark's mind replayed the events of the past few months, the desperation and fear that had gripped him as he searched for Liam. But now, with Liam safe in his arms, he felt a sense of closure, of vindication.

As he hugged Liam tighter, he felt the gentle rise and fall of his chest, the soft beating of his heart. Mark's hand continued to rub gently over Liam's protruding belly, a tender gesture that seemed to lull them both into a peaceful slumber.

The world outside receded, and all that mattered was the warmth and love that filled the space between them. Mark's last thought before he drifted off was that he would never let Liam go again, that he would do everything in his power to keep him safe.

Mark and Liam slept through the day, exhausted from their emotional reunion. The next morning, Liam's phone rang, shrill and insistent. Mark's instinct was to smash the device against the wall, his anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. But he restrained himself, remembering that the phone wasn't his.

As Liam tried to reach for the phone, Mark held him tightly, reluctant to let go. Liam teased him, asking why he was being so clingy. Mark's expression was intense, his eyes fixed on Liam's face as if he feared that if he blinked, Liam might vanish into thin air.

Liam finally managed to extricate himself from Mark's grasp and checked the caller ID. His expression turned disdainful as he announced that it was Kelvin calling. He declared that he wasn't going to answer, but Kelvin was persistent, letting the phone ring multiple times.

Mark's patience finally wore thin, and he snatched the phone from Liam's hand, answering with a curt "What?" Kelvin's voice was smooth and condescending on the other end of the line, asking who Mark was. Mark's response was immediate and aggressive, demanding to know who Kelvin was.

Kelvin's tone turned vicious as he delivered his message. He told Mark to inform Liam that he was fired, and that he wanted to see how Liam would manage to pay his rent and take care of his pregnancy without a job. Kelvin's words were laced with malice, and Mark's anger boiled over as he listened. As soon as Kelvin hung up, Mark's mind began racing with plans for revenge. He vowed to visit Kelvin's shop and buy it, just so he could fire the wicked man and make him pay for his cruelty.

As Mark pulled Liam into a tight cuddle, he felt a wave of protectiveness wash over him. He buried his face in Liam's hair, inhaling the sweet scent of his skin. Liam's small body felt fragile in his arms, and Mark's heart swelled with emotion.

He thought back to the months they had spent apart, the anguish and desperation that had consumed him. He had felt like a part of him was missing, like a vital organ had been ripped from his body. But now, with Liam safe in his arms, he felt whole again.

Mark's arms tightened around Liam, holding him close as if he would never let him go again. He felt a sense of gratitude and wonder at the second chance they had been given. He had lost his gem, but now it was found, shining brightly in his arms.