Chapter 162

Liam smiled softly, his gaze warm as if he were truly lost in the memory. But Wendy knew better—he was dodging her question. Still, his words tugged at her own memories, and a faint blush crept up her neck to the tips of her ears. "It wasn't that dramatic," she murmured, a little embarrassed. "Let's not bring up the past." "Why not?" Liam leaned in slightly, eyes fixed on her. "Isn't it everything we've been through that shapes who we are now?" He grinned. "I think that's a quote from one of those philosophers you hated. Remember that, Judy?" He called her by the Elorian name she'd used during their time in Veloria—just like he used to back in college. Wendy blinked, caught off guard. The way he said it, with that gentle smile, wrapped her heart in warmth. For the first time in a long while, she didn't feel weighed down by anything. After a long pause, she laughed softly. "Well… thank you, Liam." A server came by, pouring her a glass of wine and setting an orange juice in front