, her vision blurred by tears. She didn't even know where she was going-only that she had to g

ty roads and forgotten signs. Eventually, the car slowed in fron

o

t used

lowed parts of the cracked walls, and the once-beautiful garden had become a gra

until her fingers finally moved. She stepped out into the co

he door with a conf

naged

you-wher

nable to meet his

u w

she said quietly, pushi

't be serious! Do you know what this means for us? Tha

s fierce despite the tear

ue, but stopped when he sa

ecords. Information on us from before the engagement was anno

then, like the air had

w?" he asked

und out after. Said he tried

Then maybe... maybe he wa

hy does everyone want to p

was si

aid, "You're falling

s. And maybe that's

-

the mansion was

teps haunting him. He barely ate. He didn't sleep. And he r

hispered. V

d silk dress like nothing had changed. "Y

glance at her. "W

ing a hand on his arm. "She left you. You knew

gust. "And I always throw away t

shifted. "You're actu

woman who made me question the man I'

's weak. Emotiona

" he said, voice low. "And she had the cour

l glare before storming

dy planning

-

days p

through the decaying rose garden behind the hous

i

ie-just jeans and a jacket soaked in mist. His eye

and walked back

ollo

ere," she said with

kno

him, arms folded.

t it end like that. No

s between us, Liam. Fr

first time-not as a business partner, not as a

he said. "The second I found it. I sh

d fast. "Why

t another Lockwood. And I guess I was trying to p

about trust. Every time I think you're differen

e?" he asked. "What if I want

lity in his voice wasn't som

me," she said softly. "I need you t

d into his

il he pulled out not a r

ockwood Corp. I'm cutting ties. Wi

ed. "You... Yo

ymore. I'm offering you a life. One we can build tog

le

y asked, "Can

stened. "You're

e spend the rest of my