Chapter 59
Liam’s POV
The rhythmic hum of the printer fills the room, each sheet of paper sliding out one after the other. I watch them as if they're about to reveal the secrets of the universe, but my heart pounds a little harder with every page that lands on my desk.
My assistant gives me a tentative smile, probably sensing my nerves, before slipping out of the room.
I stand there for a moment, staring at the stack of papers as if they might catch fire if I touch them.
I finally step forward, my fingers brushing the top page, eyes fixed on the bold text at the top—a clinic’s name.
It’s a small place, one that doesn’t usually appear on anyone’s radar, but the dates match. Aria visited this clinic around the time of Joe’s birth.
I swallow hard, my chest tightening as the weight of it sinks in. This is it—the breakthrough I’ve been waiting for, but now that I’m standing here on the edge of the truth, I feel... off.
Elated, but panicked at the same time. I’ve been chasing this moment for weeks, sneaking around, digging into Aria’s past. Now I’m inches away from uncovering the truth, but at what cost?
I flip through the papers, scanning for something more—a missing puzzle piece that could tell me what’s been haunting me.
My hand falters as I reach the bottom of the stack and spot the handwritten notes from the clinic. My throat tightens.
Logan’s voice echoes in my head, his words slashing through my thoughts like a dull blade.
"The only way you’ll ever be able to keep Aria and find out the truth at the same time is if you ask her to her face."
He was right, and I hate that. I hate that I’m doing exactly what I shouldn’t—going behind her back, searching for answers she’s chosen not to share with me.
It’s Saturday afternoon when I find myself at the park. I wasn’t planning on coming here, but something pulled me in this direction.
Maybe it’s habit, or maybe it’s because I knew she’d be here.
I spot her almost immediately—Aria, Joe, and William.
They’re huddled together, laughing at something, and I can’t help but pause, watching them from a distance.
Joe’s hair is windblown, that dark mop of curls bouncing as he runs ahead of William, who’s laughing hard, his head thrown back like nothing else in the world matters.
They look like a family—a real one. And Aria... she’s right there in the middle of it all, moving between them with such ease.
It’s been like that for a while now, I’ve noticed.
She’s been more present with William in the past few weeks than Sophia has been in months. Aria’s always filling the gaps, keeping the boys grounded.
I take a step forward without really thinking. Before I know it, I’m standing just a few feet away from them. I clear my throat, and Aria looks up, her face lighting up when she sees me.
"Hey!" she calls, waving me over. "You finally decided to join us?"
I smirk, trying to play it cool. "I was enjoying the show from back there. But it seems like you're missing something."
"Oh yeah? What’s that?" she asks, her grin turning playful.
"A good old-fashioned game of tag."
Joe’s eyes light up, and William’s right behind him, bouncing on the balls of his feet, already anticipating the game.
Aria raises an eyebrow, arms crossed in mock challenge. "Tag? You sure you can keep up, Liam?"
I shrug, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "Only one way to find out."
Without warning, I tap her arm. "You're it!" I yell, turning and bolting across the field.
I can hear her gasp, followed by her laughter as she chases after me. Joe and William’s excited shouts ring out as they join the game, all of us scattering across the park.
Aria’s faster than I expected, barefoot and quick on the grass. She’s gaining on me, and when I glance over my shoulder, I catch a glimpse of her determined smile.
The boys’ laughter echoes behind us, but right now, it’s just the two of us weaving through the trees and benches, our steps falling into a rhythm.
"Give up yet?" she calls, teasing me as she closes the gap.
"Not a chance," I yell back, pushing myself harder. But she’s relentless. A few moments later, I feel her hand graze my back, and in an impulsive move, I turn sharply, catching her arm.
We tumble to the ground together, falling into the soft grass. I move instinctively, cushioning her head with my hand as we roll.
Our laughter fades as we lie there, side by side, breathless and tangled up in the moment.
The world around us quiets, and for a brief second, it's like the old days. When things were simpler. When we weren’t burdened by the weight of secrets and half-truths.
My hand is still on the back of her head, fingers tangled in her hair, and her gaze meets mine. There's something there, something deeper that neither of us says out loud.
"I got you," I say, my voice low, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth.
She smiles, her lips parting as if to say something, but the moment is broken by the sound of rushing footsteps.
"Mom! Liam! Look out!" Joe and William come barreling toward us, crashing into us before we can react. The boys pile on top of me, laughing as they tackle me to the ground.
Aria laughs, shaking her head as she pulls Joe off of me, but there’s a warmth lingering between us.
The boys are a whirlwind of energy, but that quiet connection we shared just a moment ago still hangs in the air.
By the time we leave the park, the sun is setting, casting long shadows across the field. Joe and William chatter excitedly, their hands swinging in Aria’s as they walk ahead of me.
I follow behind, watching them, and for the first time in a while, I feel a sense of peace—like this could be my life, if I could just figure out how to make it right.
When we drop William off with Sophia later, I head home.
The house is too quiet when I step inside. I used to like it—the stillness, the calm after a long day—but now, the silence feels... wrong.
I wander into the kitchen, half-expecting to see Aria there, humming while she stirs a pot on the stove.
I can almost hear Joe’s laughter in the living room, and William’s loud declarations about something he found fascinating that day.
But it’s just me.
I close the fridge without taking anything and walk over to the window. Outside, the street is dark and empty, and I wonder why I’m here alone when everything I want is out there—with her, with them.
That moment at the park, the way Aria looked at me when we were lying on the grass, it’s still stuck in my head. I need to tell her the truth, but I don’t know if I can without losing everything in the process.
