Chapter 15

Liana smiled. “Because if I keep holding onto bitterness, I’ll never be free. And today, I want to feel free.”

Mia blinked back a strange tightness in her chest, quickly turning to face the steering wheel. “Okay then. Hold tight. We’ve got a lot of places to hit.”

With a small laugh, she revved the engine and sped out of the driveway. The tires whispered against the warm road as the sun blazed above them. Wind tangled their hair as the car rushed through the outskirts of the city, where traffic was light and flowers bloomed at the edge of the sidewalks.

They stopped at a boutique first, one that Mia swore had the “cutest bags in the world.” Liana admired a soft pastel blue sling bag and ended up getting it, along with a pair of sunglasses that Mia insisted made her look like a “celebrity hiding from paparazzi.”

Their laughter echoed through the store. It wasn’t loud, but it was pure—the kind that makes strangers turn to smile without realizing it.

After that, they drove to a small café with white fairy lights hanging around its windows and plants on every corner. They sat at a table near the window, ordering iced coffees and sandwiches.

“So,” Mia said, taking a bite of her croissant, “what’s it like living with my brother now?”

Liana stirred her drink with a slow smile. “He’s… different.”

“Different how?”

Liana looked out the window for a moment, then back at her. “He listens now. Talks to me more. He’s not… cold anymore.”

Mia raised her eyebrows. “Wow. I’m impressed. He was never exactly the ‘sweet big brother’ type, you know. He used to be the most emotionally unavailable person in the entire zip code.”

Liana smiled, sipping her coffee. “Maybe he’s trying. And maybe I’m trying too.”

Mia’s eyes softened. “You’re good for him, Liana. I’ve never seen him act the way he does around you. And I’m really glad… that you didn’t give up.”

“I wanted to, once,” Liana admitted. “But I think there’s a reason I didn’t.”

They finished their lunch and continued roaming the city—small stores, random thrift stalls, an art gallery Mia dragged her into, and even a bakery that sold heart-shaped cookies. Liana bought a small box to take home.

As the sun began to dip lower, casting golden shadows across the streets, they sat in the car, laughing over something silly. For the first time in weeks, Liana felt like she belonged. Not because of her status, or Nash, or anything else—but because someone saw her. Treated her like a sister. Like a friend.

Mia looked over at her as they stopped at a red light. “Thank you for today, Liana. I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”

Liana looked at her with soft eyes. “Me too.”

And for a moment, the silence between them wasn’t empty—it was warm. Like sunlight that lingers on skin long after the sky turns grey.

The sky was already dark when Liana stepped out of the car with Mia. A cool breeze swept through the evening air, gently brushing her hair across her cheeks as she clutched the paper bags in her hand. The day had been long — lighthearted at moments, filled with chatter and silly laughter with Mia — but despite everything, a strange silence had followed her like a shadow since Nash left.

The mansion loomed in front of her, grand and quiet, wrapped in the hush of night. Its lights glowed faintly behind tall windows, casting a soft golden hue over the porch. As soon as Liana stepped inside, the warmth of the house greeted her, along with the quiet footsteps of the maids who were already waiting for her in the entryway.

“Miss Liana,” one of them spoke politely, bowing slightly. “You’re back. We were waiting. Mr. Nash told us to take care of you in his absence.”

Liana blinked, taken aback for a moment. “He… did?”

The maid nodded with a soft smile. “Yes, miss. He gave us clear instructions before he left this morning. Would you like to have dinner now? The kitchen is ready.”

Liana smiled faintly, her heart warming at the thought that Nash had thought of her even when he was away. But at the same time, her body felt heavy, not from exhaustion, but from something she couldn’t quite name. An emptiness. A quiet ache.

“I’m full today,” she replied softly. “I just want to sleep now. Thank you.”

The maids nodded in understanding, stepping aside as Liana made her way up the wide staircase. Her footsteps echoed quietly through the hallways, the bags swinging gently in her hand.

As soon as she entered Nash’s bedroom, a familiar scent wrapped around her like an invisible embrace. That distinct, warm scent — part cologne, part something only Nash carried — clung to the air, lingering on the pillows and the very walls. It was comforting. Yet, at the same time, it made her chest tighten painfully.

She stood silently for a moment, the door closing behind her, her fingers tightening slightly around the handles of the bags.

It was too quiet.

Her eyes drifted across the room… and landed on the large bed, perfectly made but somehow still holding memories. Her heart stuttered. Right here — it was right here that everything had changed between them. The memory of their first night together crashed over her like a wave. The way his hands had explored her hesitantly at first, then possessively. The way his lips had whispered secrets into her neck. The tremble of his voice when he had murmured her name like a prayer.

She had been nervous, unsure… but Nash had been patient. Tender. Fierce.

Liana shook her head quickly, trying to push the memory aside before it swallowed her whole. Her cheeks were already flushed, her chest rising and falling with unspoken thoughts.

She needed a distraction.

Her eyes turned toward the corner of the room — her favorite corner. The small, cozy library Nash had arranged for her. Shelves built with dark wood stood tall, lined with books of every kind. He remembered how much she loved to read… even when she thought he didn’t pay attention. It was the first thing he gave her after she moved in. She still remembered the quiet pride in his voice when he had said, “It’s yours. Pick whatever you want. Or I’ll get more.”

A small smile tugged at her lips as she walked over, running her fingers along the spines of the books. She pulled out one at random, not even caring which one. She just needed something to fill the silence.

Book in hand, she walked back to the bed and slipped beneath the covers. The pages turned slowly beneath her fingers, but the words never really sank in. Her mind was too full. And too empty. At the same time.

Nash.

She missed him.

She missed him more than she wanted to admit.

She didn’t even realize when her eyelids began to droop, when the book slipped from her hands and rested on her stomach. The pages fluttered quietly as sleep took her, slow and soft.

⸻

Morning sunlight leaked in through the curtains. The golden light stretched across the floor and climbed onto the bed, warming the white sheets.

Liana stirred.

She didn’t open her eyes at first — she only felt it. A touch. A warm, familiar touch on her cheek. Gentle. Careful. Fingers brushing along her skin like they were afraid she might vanish.

She flinched slightly, her brows furrowing in the moment between sleep and confusion. For a heartbeat, she panicked. Was someone—?

Her eyes flew open.

And there he was.

Nash.