Chapter 9
By the time Liam landed in Rome, it was almost 2 AM.
But none of that mattered.
He could feel her here–this whole city had her fingerprints on it.
He’d known from the moment she walked away… that Evelyn did love him.
She just got scared.
Terrified of being hurt again.
So she ran before anything could begin.
She was always like that. Stubborn. Guarded. Beautiful.
And yeah–maybe a little dumb.
She never gave him the chance to say what he really felt.
And she had no idea.
Waiting for her hurt way less than not seeing her at all.
So even though he should’ve been devastated–he wasn’t.
She didn’t push him away because she didn’t care.
She pushed him away because she did.
And just like that, Liam knew.
He was already all in.
No dramatic gesture needed.
No perfect words.
Just being near her was enough.
At first, he held back.
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Didn’t want to spook her.
He’d watch her updates from a distance.
Quiet. Patient.
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Chapter 9
But when he saw she had a show?
He couldn’t help himself anymore.
He had to see her.
Even just once.
So he flew across the ocean.
Just like that.
By the time I got backstage, Liam was already there.
Standing by the door. Waiting.
My heart skipped like it forgot how to beat.
God, I hated how happy I was to see him.
“Eve,” he said, holding out a bouquet of blue roses.
“You killed it out there. That was amazing.”
“Liam? What are you doing here?”
I couldn’t help the smile in my voice–it slipped out before I could stop it.
“I missed you,” he said.
“So… I came. I know I should’ve asked first, but I didn’t want you to say no.”
He sounded almost… sheepish.
“And you?” he asked, softer now.
“Did you miss me? Even a little?”
Then he looked down, embarrassed.
“Never mind. Don’t answer that. It’s fine if you didn’t-”
I laughed, stepping closer.
Leaned up on my toes, whispered into his ear,
“Maybe… more than just a little?”
His ears turned bright red.
He reached out, cupped my face, eyes locked on mine.
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“Eve, don’t play. I’m serious.”
“I’m not playing, Liam,” I whispered.
“I mean it.”
Being apart had made everything so painfully clear.
I wanted him. I still wanted this.
No one could predict the future.
But you don’t skip meals just because you’re scared to choke.
So the moment I saw him–I knew.
“I want to be with you,” I said.
“Right here, right now. If you still want me.”
His answer was instant.
“Eve, I’d say yes a thousand times.”
And under those blinding stage lights,
We kissed like the world was watching–and neither of us cared.
I could feel his heartbeat against my chest, every thud echoing straight into mine.
Everything felt so natural. Like it was always meant to be.
The morning sun poured into my bedroom.
I squinted against the light–and the next second, I was pulled into a warm, bare chest.
“Good morning, Eve,”
I looked up into Liam’s stupidly perfect face.
Every feature of his was custom–made for my type.
Clothes were scattered all over the room.
No need for words about what happened last night.
“Morning, Liam,” I murmured.
He smiled, voice low and full of emotion.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment for eight years.”
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Chapter 9
Good thing we finally made it here.
When I turned my phone on, it exploded with notifications.
All about Christian.
Apparently, he admitted to cheating–but denied the baby.
He even claimed he’d wait for me, that I was the only one he’d ever want as ‘Mrs. Cole.‘
Then some genius posted screenshots of my emotional post.
It blew up.
People were furious at him and Bianca.
“Side chicks are so gross. You knew he had a fiancée and still got in his bed? Trash.”
“This guy’s disgusting. Cheated and now wants to act like Prince Charming?”
“Queen behavior–drag him, sis!”
I didn’t expect people to take my side so hard.
But I’m not gonna lie… it felt damn good.
I couldn’t help it–I laughed out loud at my screen.
Liam saw me and smirked.
“What do you think? You like it? Should I stir the pot a little more?”
I blinked. “Wait… you did that?”
“Mm–hmm. Just a little payback. Nobody messes with you and walks away clean.”
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