#Chapter 55: All Our Differences

Liam’s POV I can’t shake it, the regret gnawing at me since last night. I sit at my desk, staring blankly at the documents in front of me, not seeing any of it. I keep replaying those words in my head— “Please, don’t break my heart.” What the hell was I thinking? It sounded desperate, lovesick, even. I’m not some clueless teenager anymore, and yet, when I’m around Aria, everything I think I know about myself goes out the window. I lean back in my chair, scrubbing a hand over my face. Since the fire, I’ve had no choice but to confront some hard truths. One of those is that I can’t imagine my life without Aria. But last night— God, why did I have to say that? Does it mean I love her? It must, right? Because why else would I be doing all this? Why would I care so much? My phone vibrates on my desk, pulling me out of my thoughts. It’s a text from my assistant: No updates on the birth records yet. Sorry, Liam. I sigh. The frustration I’ve been trying to bury bubbles u