#Chapter 36: Office Hours

Liam’s POV The words from our last fight looped endlessly in my mind as I paced the empty office. I hadn’t been able to focus since Aria stormed out, her cold stare etched into my memory. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her standing there, accusing me of being the same man I was six years ago. It wasn’t the words that got to me; it was the look on her face—like I’d never be anything more to her than a mistake. I needed to talk to her. Not another argument, not more shouting across the table in a meeting. I needed her to understand that everything wasn’t as simple as she made it seem. I wanted to bring up what she wouldn’t—our past. I waited until the office was nearly empty, the hum of computers and soft clicks of keyboards fading as the team clocked out for the night. When I saw her light still on, I knew it was time. I walked down the hall, rehearsing how I’d start. By the time I reached her door, I was ready. I pushed it open without knocking, catching her off