A Tough Decision

LIAM

I find April sitting alone on a park bench, her brow furrowed as she scrolls through her phone. A knot tightens in my stomach as I force myself forward, this is the only way.

"April?" I flash my most disarming smile. "Mind if we talk for a minute?"

She looks up, squinting against the afternoon sun. "Liam? What do you want?"

I let the weight of my next words settle between us. "Trust me, April. The money will be worth your precious time."

That gets her attention, her expression shifts from mild irritation to cautious interest. She glances around the park as if checking who might be watching before returning her gaze to me.

"Money?" She sets her phone facedown on the bench, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. "What are you talking about?"

No point in dancing around it. "I overheard you yesterday at the café, you and Chris were discussing your financial situation."

Her face flushes crimson, anger flashing in her eyes. "You were eavesdropping? That's low, even for you." She starts to stand, knuckles white as she grips the bench. "I don't need pity from some rich boy who has never worked a day in his life."

"Wait." I raise a placating hand. "I'm not here to offer pity, I have a proposition." I pull out my phone, open my banking app, and turn the screen toward her.

April hesitates before looking, when she does her jaw goes slack.

I watch her eyes widen. "Fck, that's a lot of zeros," she breathes, her throat working as she swallows hard.

"Five hundred thousand dollars." I let that sink in, watching her cycle through disbelief and confusion. "Enough to pay off your debt completely, with plenty left over."

"Why?" Her voice drops to barely a whisper, suspicion settling deep in her gaze. "What would I have to do?"

There it is, the one question I have been waiting for that will change everything.

I run a hand through my hair, feigning uncertainty I don't feel. "I want you to move out of your apartment."

The confusion evaporates instantly, replaced by ice. "Excuse me?" She shoots to her feet. "Are you insane?"

"This isn't a prank, April. I will throw in my apartment, rent free, if it will change your mind."

She freezes mid turn, fingers curling tighter around her bag strap. "Rent free?"

I see her anger beginning to fracture, so I strike while she is vulnerable. I pull up photos on my phone. "Four bedrooms, all yours until graduation."

April slowly sinks back onto the bench, her movements dazed. I watch closely as she scrolls through the images, taking in the marble countertops, the floor to ceiling windows, the gleaming hardwood floors.

"This is fcking crazy." Her voice cracks slightly as she swipes through another photo. She looks up at me, bewildered. "Liam, why would you do this for a girl who doesn't even like you?"

"Have you ever wanted something so badly you would do anything to have it?" I meet her eyes directly, letting manufactured emotion bleed into my voice. "I really like Skylar, April. I know that sounds pathetic, but sometimes you just know."

"I know I'm putting you in an impossible position," I continue, lowering my voice to sound more vulnerable. "But I need a chance to show her who I really am. If she's still not interested after getting to know me, I will back off completely you have my word."

April stays silent, still staring at the photos. Her fingers tremble slightly against the screen, I can practically see the war raging inside her survival battling morality.

"I would never have to worry about rent again," she murmurs, more to herself than to me. "I could focus on my classes and graduate without debt."

"Exactly, you could actually enjoy your college experience instead of drowning in it." I offer a small, understanding smile as I pocket my phone.

"What if she hates me forever?" April's eyes search mine desperately. "She already can't stand that I sided with you about the bouquet being romantic."

"That's the price of freedom." I keep my voice gentle but firm. "Unless you have half a million lying around, I would suggest you seriously consider this offer."

She flinches as the truth lands harder than the words that carry it.

Silence stretches between us, I watch the exact moment her resolve crumbles. In the slow slump of her shoulders, the defeated set of her jaw.

"I need to think about it," she says finally, her voice hollow.

"Of course, take the weekend." I stand, placing a slip of paper on the bench beside her. "My number's on there, call me when you decide."

I walk away without looking back, when it comes to people like April, pushing harder would only backfire. They need to feel like the decision was theirs.

Even though we both know the truth that when you're drowning, you will grab any hand extended to you, even if it belongs to the devil himself.