Chapter 47
Aria’s POV
The doorbell rang just as I was finishing up my coffee. My first instinct was to ignore it—I didn’t have the energy for any unexpected visitors today.
But the doorbell rang again, more insistent this time. Sighing, I set my mug down and opened the door.
Liam stood there, holding a large bouquet of my favorite flowers, and a sheepish look spread across his face. He held out the bouquet like a peace offering.
“I’m still fighting for you, Aria,” he said softly, his voice almost drowned out by the rustle of the flowers. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, neatly folded note, which he placed on top of the bouquet.
I stared at the flowers for a moment, my emotions instantly in turmoil. The gesture was sweet, sure, but it felt empty.
“Flowers?” I said, my voice dull as I pushed the door open wider and grabbed the bouquet from his hands. “You think flowers are going to fix everything, Liam?”
He blinked, clearly taken aback. “I—no, I don’t think that. I’m just trying to show you I care.”
I took a step back, setting the flowers onto the table, and holding up the note, which I hadn’t even bothered to open.
“This doesn’t make everything better, y’know. You can’t just slap some flowers on it and hope that everything that’s in our past will go away.”
Liam flinched, his mouth grimacing. “That’s not what I’m doing. I’m just—”
“You’re just what? Trying to win me over with gestures instead of actually fixing what’s broken?” I handed him back the unopened note, pressing it against his chest. I stared him down. “Trust, Liam. Trust is the problem. Not whether or not you can buy a bouquet of flowers.”
He stood there, stunned for a moment, then bent down to pick up the note. His face softened, and I could see the understanding in his eyes.
“Aria, I know I’ve messed up. I’m trying to make it right. I’m not perfect, but I’m not giving up on us.”
“Giving up?” I scoffed. “I can’t understand you, Liam. Back then, you seemed to have already given up on us. What changed?”
His jaw tightened. “It doesn’t matter. I’m here now, aren’t I? I’m trying, and I’m not going to stop trying just because you won’t give me a chance.”
I crossed my arms, my chest tightening with frustration. “You don’t get it, do you? This isn’t about grand gestures. This is about showing me, through actions, that you’re trustworthy again. And you’re not doing that.”
“I’m doing the best I can,” he said quietly. “But if you’re not willing to meet me halfway, what’s the point?”
I wanted to snap back with something harsh, but his words hit too close to home. I couldn’t argue with that.
I was the one who wasn’t sure, the one holding back, but I had my reasons. Liam’s persistence didn’t erase the betrayal, no matter how much he wanted it to.
I looked away, my anger simmering down, but the tension between us remained thick. “I need more than flowers, Liam. I need more than words. Show me you’ve changed. Prove it.”
He stood there, silent for a moment, then nodded. “I will. I promise.”
I didn’t say anything else. I didn’t trust myself to.
Later that day, I sat across from a potential client in a sleek, modern restaurant. My lunch meeting was supposed to be about sealing a deal, but my mind kept drifting back to Liam.
His face, the way he’d looked so hurt but still determined... it was messing with me.
I clenched my jaw, trying to focus as the client droned on about some new marketing strategy.
“So,” the client said suddenly, his voice cutting through my thoughts, “you seem a little... distracted today. Personal matters weighing on you?” He smirked as if he’d said something clever.
I narrowed my eyes. Normally, I would have shrugged off a comment like that, but today it stung.
“Actually,” I said, sitting up straighter and fixing him with a sharp look, “my personal life has nothing to do with my ability to close this deal.”
The client blinked, caught off guard by my sudden edge.
“Right,” he muttered, clearly reconsidering his remark. “Of course.”
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “Let’s get back to business, shall we?”
I could see the shift in his demeanor, and from that point forward, the meeting was back on track. We discussed numbers, projections, and timelines.
By the end of the lunch, I had him back on board and smiling again. The deal was as good as closed.
As we shook hands and he left, I sat back in my chair, satisfied that I’d regained control of the situation. But even then, as I checked my phone and saw a missed text from Liam, I couldn’t fully shake the thought of him.
Later that afternoon, I took Joe and William to the park. It was a rare moment of peace—just watching them run around, their laughter filling the air.
Joe was determined to beat William in their usual race around the park’s perimeter, but William always seemed to stay a few steps ahead.
I could see Joe’s face, flushed with effort, his small legs pumping as fast as they could go.
“Come on, Joe!” William called out, easily keeping pace. “You’re going to have to do better than that!”
Joe’s face was set in determination. “I’m going to beat you!” he panted, even though he was already a few yards behind.
I smiled to myself, watching how much Joe looked up to William. They had fallen into this easy friendship, a playful rivalry that had brought out the best in both of them.
Joe never gave up, even though William usually won.
When they finally crossed the imaginary finish line, William slowed to a stop, grinning as Joe staggered to a halt behind him, out of breath but still smiling.
“One day,” Joe panted, collapsing onto the grass next to William, “I’m going to beat you.”
William chuckled, lying back in the grass. “Not if you don’t grow a few inches first.”
Joe laughed, and they lay there for a moment, catching their breath.
I watched them from the bench, my heart swelling with pride. Joe had come a long way, and seeing him so happy, surrounded by good people—Liam, Logan, William—it made everything feel a little more bearable.
I stood up, walking over to where they lay sprawled on the grass.
“Good race, boys,” I said, ruffling Joe’s hair.
He grinned up at me. “I’m getting faster, Mom. One day, I’ll win for sure.”
“I have no doubt,” I said, smiling.
As the boys got up and began plotting their next race, I glanced at my phone again. Another message from Liam.
I didn’t open it, but I felt the familiar pull of uncertainty gnawing at me. Liam was still fighting for us, but was I ready to meet him halfway?
I wasn’t sure. But as I watched Joe and William laughing together, I knew one thing: I couldn’t let my indecision drag down the people I cared about.
Maybe Liam would prove himself in time. But for now, I had more important things to focus on.
