บททั้งหมดของ If not love, Whatelse?: บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

The next day]The rain hadn’t stopped since morning.It fell in steady sheets, a rhythm he used to hum along to, a rhythm that once became songs. Now, it just sounded like everything he’d lost.Williams sat on the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, head bowed.The room was dim. Dust clung to the corners. Posters of singers he had idolized stared down at him, silent witnesses to a boy who once believed music could fix the world.He remembered the first time he sang for someone who mattered. His mother had stood in the doorway, arms folded, that quiet smile that always made him feel alive.“You sound just like me,” she had said. “ I used to sing like that….from the heart…. But don’t worry son, I’m rooting hard for you. You’re going to become the biggest artist soon.”Her voice echoed in his memory now, soft and fragile, carrying a warmth that the world had slowly stolen away.He traced the edge of the desk absentmindedly. His guitar lay untouched in the corner, strings gathering dust

“Camellia!” he shouted again, voice cutting through the storm.She froze, turning. Recognition flashed across her face…. then panic. “Ethan? What… what are you doing here?”He stopped in front of her, eyes restless. “You have to stop him.”“Stop who?”“Williams,” he said breathlessly. “He’s about to do something stupid. He’s joining the cops. Says he’s doing it for you.”Her eyes widened. “What?”Amy frowned, stepping closer. “For her?”Ethan nodded. “He won’t listen to anyone else,” Ethan said, urgency sharp in his voice. “Maybe you can make him understand before it’s too late.”Camellia looked at Amy, torn. “I…”“Please,” Ethan said. “If you care about him even a little, don’t let him throw his life away. He’s worked too hard for this.”Amy stepped forward, voice tense. “We need to move. He’ll be gone if we don’t hurry.”Camellia’s hesitation broke. “Where is he now?”“At home.”She turned to Amy. “I have to go.”Amy sighed. “ I’m coming with you.”As they ran toward the street to c

For a long second, no one breathed.The faint hum from the phone was the only sound filling the room.Amy’s grip loosened, and the phone dropped onto the bed.Lucia’s voice was still faintly audible on the line, muffled and distant.“…Amy, say something… please give Camellia the phone.”Camellia just stood there… drenched, trembling, staring at her like she didn’t recognize her anymore.“Lucia?” she repeated, quieter this time, almost to herself. “You were talking to Lucia?”Amy swallowed hard, her throat dry. “Cami, I…”“Answer me!”Camellia’s voice cracked like glass.The rawness in her tone made Amy flinch.“Yes,” Amy finally said, her voice breaking. “I was.”Camellia froze again. “For how long?”Amy’s eyes darted away. She wanted to say a few days, but lies would only bury her deeper.“For a while now.”Camellia’s heart plummeted. Her voice came out shaking.“You knew I wanted them out of my life… still you kept in touch with my sister and you didn’t tell me?”“It wasn’t like tha

The light from the hallway spilled into the room, slicing through the darkness. Liam’s hand hovered near the doorknob, his other instinctively reaching behind him.. as if to shield Camellia.“Who’s there?” he asked, his tone steady, but the tremor in his jaw betrayed him.No answer.Then, a voice…. low, familiar, strained.“Liam… it’s me.”Camellia froze.Williams?She rose from the couch too quickly, the blanket falling around her feet. Her heartbeat drowned out the rain.When he stepped into the light, his face looked carved by the night… eyes red, hair messy, tension dripping from his jawline, his shirt clinging to his chest. But behind all that, there was something else.Desperation. Guilt. Fear.Liam relaxed slightly but didn’t move aside.“You shouldn’t be here man,” he said quietly.“I know.” Williams’ voice cracked. “But I had to make sure she’s safe.”Camellia’s breath hitched.Safe.That word again. The one she no longer believed in.Miss Clara appeared from the hallway, rob

Morning Light. Camellia woke to the faint hum of a city still half asleep. She sat up slowly, her head pounding, her eyes swollen. For a second, she forgot where she was…until she heard faint movement from the living room.Camellia pulled the blanket around her and walked out quietly. Williams sat on the couch, half asleep, hair messy, the TV flickering muted news in front of him. His phone lay face down beside him.Williams.He was still here.She hesitated in the doorway, staring at him. There was something disarming about the way he looked… peaceful, tired, protective.And she hated that her heart still reacted to him even after everything she’d confessed.Williams stirred and looked up, voice rough with sleep.“Hey… you’re up.”She nodded softly. “You didn’t sleep much, did you?”He gave a tired half smile. “Didn’t want to. Someone had to keep watch.”Camellia’s chest tightened. “You meant what you said last night, didn’t you?”His eyes softened. “Every word.”She looked away qui