035 - Here to Help

Maria's POV

The message popped up on my phone just as I finished brushing my hair. Liam had sent the location. A restaurant. I stared at it for a moment, not moving.

My hand tightened around the phone.

I shouldn’t go.

But I had to.

We were only going to talk about the apartment. That’s all. Just some updates and information. Nothing personal.

Still, something inside me felt off.

I looked at myself in the mirror, fixing my blouse and running my fingers through the ends of my hair again. It wasn’t like I was trying to look good for him, but… maybe I was being too careful.

“No,” I muttered to my reflection. “This is just about the apartment. That’s all.”

I grabbed my bag and slipped on my shoes. I made it halfway to the front door before I heard voices down the hall. Just as I turned the corner, Luca came out of the study. Alex was right behind him. They were talking, low and serious, but both stopped when they saw me.

I froze.

Luca gave Alex a quick nod, and Alex left without a word.

We were alone.

His eyes scanned me slowly, although not in a way that made me feel shy. It was something heavier—like he was trying to read me, trying to figure out if I was hiding.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“Just out. I need some air,” I replied, turning to leave.

But his hand caught mine gently before I could pass.

“Maria, wait.” His voice had softened. “About earlier... I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…”

“I’m fine,” I cut him off, pulling my hand free. “I really need to go.”

“Can we talk?”

“I can’t. Not now.”

I stepped around him, but he moved too—stepping right in front of me again.

“I said I can’t, Luca,” I said firmly.

This time, I didn’t wait for a reply. I walked around him and didn’t stop. I didn’t even look back.

***********

By the time I reached the restaurant, my heart was still racing. Not from nerves. From the way he looked at me. From the guilt that curled in my chest like a wire tightening.

The restaurant was loud. Crowded. The sound of clinking glasses and voices wrapped around me like a dress. 

I spotted Liam before he saw me. He was seated at a corner table, dressed in a dark blazer, looking like he didn’t belong in a place this loud.

He stood the second he noticed me.

“Maria,” he smiled, pulling my chair out like a gentleman.

I nodded at him. “Hi.”

I didn’t sit immediately. “What do you have?”

“Just coffee, but you should order something,” he offered.

“I can’t stay long.”

He didn’t press. Just sat back down, folding his hands together on the table. I followed, keeping my gaze low. Looking into his eyes was still… hard.

“There’s an update,” he started. “About your apartment.”

I raised my brows. “Okay.”

“We found the man who did it. The one who broke in.”

My heart skipped.

“But…” he continued, “he was found dead. About ten days after your place was attacked.”

Ten days? That felt... too soon. Too convenient. I stared at him. “Dead?”

He nodded. “Yes, dead. I believe he was strangled or something like that. But we don't have much details on all that yet.”

I swallowed. “Who was he?”

Liam gave me a name. One I didn’t recognize.

Then he slid his phone across the table. A picture. The man in it looked familiar. The same figure. But I hadn’t seen his face clearly that night. Just a shade. Just a blur of violence.

“It might be him,” I said quietly. “But… I can’t be sure.”

Liam watched me carefully. “Why would someone target you?”

I looked down at my hands. “I don’t know.”

It wasn’t a lie. But it wasn’t the full truth either.

I stood. “I should go.”

“Maria—wait. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just... I need to leave.”

His voice softened. “I know you don’t want to talk to me. And I get that. But I’m not here just to bring you news, Maria…. Maria, I miss you.”

I paused.

He kept going. “I’ve been so angry with myself every single day since I lost you. I messed up. I know that. But if there’s any way I can make things right—even if it’s just helping you with this investigation—I want to.”

I shook my head. “Don’t. Don’t get involved. The man’s dead. That’s enough.”

He looked hurt, but nodded. “Alright.”

Then his tone changed. Lighter. “Are you staying somewhere safe?”

I hesitated. “With a friend, yes.”

He smiled sadly. “Okay. But whenever you plan to move back in and if you need help fixing the place, you know… you can.. call me.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

There wasn’t much more to say.

I turned to leave.

And this time, he didn’t stop me.

But as I walked out into the outside of the restaurant, I felt my chest tighten again.

I thought I was done with this Liam.

I thought whatever feelings I had left had died the day he pushed me away.

But the truth was—they hadn’t.

And now, I wasn’t sure if seeing him again was a mistake…

…or just the beginning of another one.