​Liam staggered backward, his vision swimming with a mix of cheap alcohol and exhaustion. He clutched an empty glass, his knuckles turning white. His white button-up shirt was wrinkled, the top buttons undone as he struggled to breathe through the suffocating weight in his chest. ​"Liam. That is enough," a deep, heavily accented voice commanded. ​Peter Kozlov To the rest of the company, Peter was a ruthless, unyielding force. But looking at Liam, his sharp grey eyes softened with an intensity he usually kept tightly locked away ​"Let go of me!" Liam choked out, his voice cracking as he tried to push Peter away. His hands pressed against the expensive fabric of Peter’s suit jacket, but he lacked the strength to make Peter even flinch. "Just... give me another bottle. I need another drink." ​"You have had more than your limit," Peter said softly, his large hands gently but firmly wrapping around Liam’s wrists to stop him from flailing. "You have a fragile heart, malysh. This is dangerous for you." ​"What do you care?" Liam cried, a tear spilling over his flushed cheek. He tried to pull his arms back, but Peter’s grip was like iron, though careful not to hurt him. "You don't care! You just keep piling files on my desk. Audit reports, inventory logs, customer data... I can't keep up! I’m so tired, Mr. Kozlov. I’m just so tired." ​Liam’s knees buckled, the grief and exhaustion finally taking over. Before he could hit the floor, Peter’s arms wrapped securely around his waist, lifting him up and pulling Liam’s smaller frame tightly against his chest. ​Liam struggled weakly, burying his face into Peter’s shoulder as fresh tears soaked the black fabric. "She's gone," Liam whispered, his voice dissolving into a sob."My grandmother... she was the only one I had left. I couldn't even afford the proper care for her because I live in that stupid, broken-down apartment... and I have nothing. I have nothing left." ​Hearing the heartbreak in Liam's voice shattered the stoic facade Peter always wore. Peter closed his eyes, holding Liam closer, burying his face into the young man's dark hair. ​The truth was, Peter didn't give Liam all those extra projects out of cruelty. He had been completely infatuated with the quiet, hardworking Chinese employee from the moment he walked into the dealership. Peter’s own life was filled with overwhelming privilege he was astronomically wealthy, and He kept assigning Liam tasks just to have an excuse to keep him close to the executive floor, completely blind to how much Liam was struggling outside of work. ​"I am sorry," Peter murmured, his Russian accent thick with genuine remorse. He lifted Liam slightly, easing the smaller man's weight off his feet so he didn't have to stand. "I did not know about your grandmother, Liam. If I had known, I would have cleared your schedule. I would have given you anything you needed." ​"Go away," Liam mumbled ​"I am not going anywhere," Peter whispered, his hand gently stroking the back of Liam's head, smoothing down his messy hair."You are coming home with me tonight. No more broken house, no more endless work. I will take care of you, Liam. I promise."