Chapter 61: His Time Would Come

Liam's POV 

Marcus had that look in his face again. The one that said, you’re doing something stupid but I won’t stop you.

He was standing at the entrance of my apartment, leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded like he didn’t want to be here in the first place.

Stephanie was beside him, quiet and tense. Like someone waiting to be thrown into a prison cell, not offered a place to rest.

“I know you want to help her,” Marcus said quietly, his eyes scanning my face. “but this.. this is a bad idea.” Lowers his voice more.

I nodded, but I didn’t move. “It’s fine.”

“She could snap again. You don’t know what she’s capable of this time.”

“She’s already broken,” I replied. “I don’t think she has anything left in her to snap with.”

Stephanie didn’t speak. Her eyes moved around the room like she was trying to make sure there were no traps or something.

She stood with her arms hugging herself, shoulders hunched. She was wearing s black hoodie that swallowed her body, the sleeves falling past her hands.

She looked smaller than I remembered. Like the weight of everything she had done was crushing on her.

Marcus sighed but didn’t push it. He stepped back and muttered something about needing to get back. Then he left.

I closed the door behind him and locked it.

Stephanie didn’t move. I didn’t either for a moment. We just stood there in my living room. 

She, probably wondering why I offered to let her stay. And me, unsure if I was doing the right thing.

“You’re safe here,” I said finally, voice low. “You can relax.”

She gave a small nod, almost like a reflex.

“I’ll get you something to eat.”

She didn’t respond, but she didn’t protest either. That was enough for now.

I moved into the kitchen and put something quick together. Bread, eggs, tea. I didn’t know what she liked. I wasn’t even sure she had been eating properly.

 When I came back, she was sitting on the edge of the couch with her hands in her lap and her head down like she was waiting for punishment.

“Here,” I said, setting the tray in front of her. “Eat.”

She stared at it for a while before reaching for the bread. Her fingers trembled slightly.

I sat across from her, saying nothing. I just watched her. I could feel the awkward silence between us and I could tell she feels it too.

After a few minutes, she looked up. “Why are you helping me?”

I didn’t answer right away. I didn’t know how to explain it. 

“You needed help,” I said simply. “And you didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

She looked like she wanted to argue, but the words didn’t come. She just nodded again and looked away.

The rest of the night moved slowly. She didn’t eat much, but she ate enough. She asked for a bath, so I gave her towels and some of my clothes to change into.

When she came out of the bathroom, her hair was damp and tied back, and she looked better than before.

It was late now. Almost midnight. I picked up a pillow and blanket from the closet.

“You can sleep in my room,” I said. “I’ll take the couch.”

Her eyes widened a bit. “You don’t have to…”

“It’s fine. The bed’s more comfortable.”

She hesitated, then followed me down the hallway. I opened the door, stepped aside. She walked in slowly, as if stepping into sacred ground.

“I don’t lock the doors,” I said quietly, like it mattered. “You can come out if you need anything.”

She nodded and didn’t say anything else.

I walked back to the living room and dropped onto the couch. It wasn’t a bad couch, but it wasn’t meant for sleeping. Still, I’d manage.

The apartment was quiet. Too quiet. My thoughts started spinning, replaying the last few days. Marcus. Stephanie. Luca. Maria.

I rubbed my hands over my face and stared at the ceiling. Not thinking of anything in particular except everything.

I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep, but my mind wouldn’t let me rest.

Somewhere in the middle of the night, I heard the creak of the hallway floor. I didn’t move.

“Liam?” Stephanie’s voice was soft. “It's Liam, right?”

I opened my eyes and sat up. “Yeah?”

“I’m sorry I… I can't sleep.”

I stood up, walked toward her. She stood in the shadows near the hallway, arms crossed, her hoodie swallowing her frame again. She didn't change into the clothes I gave her.

“You want to talk?” I asked, instead of asking about the clothes.

She shook her head. “No. Just... don’t want to be alone.”

I nodded, stepped aside, and motioned to the couch. “Sit.”

She walked over slowly and sat, curling into the corner. I sat next to her, not too close. Just enough so she wouldn’t feel abandoned.

We didn’t talk. We just sat there in the dark, listening to the hum of the fridge and the quiet sounds of the city outside.

Minutes passed. Maybe hours. She leaned her head against the backrest and closed her eyes.

“I used to dream a lot,” she whispered.

I turned to her but didn’t say anything.

“Before everything. Before Alexa… and Luca… Before I became… that version of me.”

I swallowed hard. “Maybe you still can.”

She gave a sad little smile, eyes still closed. “Maybe.”

Her breathing slowed. She was falling asleep.

I stayed there beside her, watching her.

She's young and pretty but didn't deserve what Luca and Alexa did to her.

But Alexa already paid. She's dead. Murdered like the common whore that she is if what they say about how she died was true.

And as for Luca… his time would come. Definitely would.