team welcomed her with open arms. Yet, despite the moments of camaraderie, the weight of Liam's presence never truly left her. Ever

unbearable. She found herself su

t the city skyline. The room was bathed in the amber glow of the setting sun,

" he said withou

ulse quickening. "Y

the fading light. "Yes," he said, walking toward his de

ing for criticism.

id, his tone unreadable. "Y

caught off guar

arms. "But I'm curious, Hazel. Is this the same dri

he surface. "Why do you keep bringing up

rved into a sm

s. "If you have somethi

oftening but losing none of

hitched. "R

treated me," he said, hi

aughter, the moments she'd dismissed as harmless fun. But seeing the inten

rds sticking in her throat.

ice cold. "You mattered to me, H

r, pressing down on her. She opened he

t of invading her space, his gaze softening. "I'm not the same person I was ba

ening. "I know that," she said quietly.

e. Then, to her surprise, he stepped back, giving her

he was testing her or genuinely offeri

was something softer in his eyes

-

am. He was nothing like the boy she remembered-timid, quiet, easy to o

lity, perhaps. Or maybe it was just her imagination, a trick of the mind

lights of The Golden Bridge glimmered in the distance, their golden hue reflecting on the water. Hazel sto

az

d to find Liam standing a few fee

?" she asked, her voice

his tone casual. "Saw you her

ly feeling exposed. "Isn't t

disarming. "Maybe. Or maybe I just wante

an eyebrow.

, his gaze holdin

pped. "There is

d, his voice bare

them spoke. The sound of the river filled the silence,

Hazel asked finally, her

she saw something raw in his eyes. "Because I want

y, but something in his voice made her pause. There was no malice, no cru

said, her voice steady despite

is smirk retur

n the bridge, the city lights reflecting in her eyes as she tri