Erased Vows의 모든 챕터: 챕터 21 - 챕터 28

“Sounds like she’s trying to tell you something,” I said, my voice soft. “Maybe you should listen.”He looked at me, his eyes deep and searching, like he was trying to see through me. “Maybe I am,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “Do you ever feel like you know someone, even when you don’t?”“All the time,” I said, my throat tight. I set my cup down, my hand shaking, and before I could think, I reached for his. His fingers closed around mine, warm and steady, and for a second, we just sat there, the sea crashing below, the world holding its breath.Then he grinned, breaking the spell. “Come on,” he said, tugging me up. “Let’s do something stupid.”“Worse than a scooter ride with you?” I teased, but I let him pull me toward the cove’s edge. A narrow path zigzagged down to the water, and he started down it, his hand still in mine. The rocks were warm under my feet, the air salty and sharp. At the bottom, the cove was a perfect crescent, the water so clear it looked like it was

The plane ride back to Chicago was quiet, the dull roar of the engines couldn’t be compared to the wild pulse of Greece. Liam sat beside me, his laptop closed for once, his eyes fixed on the window, where clouds blurred into gray. I could still feel the warmth of his lips from that cove, the way his fingers laced through mine in the water, his voice calling me home under the Greek sun. But the threats; the text, the note followed us like shadows, and my phone stayed silent in my bag, heavy with the fear of another message. I stole glances at him, his jaw tight, his hand twitching like he wanted to reach for me but didn’t know how. Greece had cracked something open between us, but back in Chicago, I wasn’t sure what we’d find.We landed late, the city’s lights smearing through the rain-streaked windows of the cab. Liam dropped me off at my house, a small brick place in the quiet part of chicago, its front steps slick with November drizzle. “Call me if you need anything,” he said, hi

The rain had stopped, leaving Chicago's streets shining under the morning sun. I woke up in Liam's guest room, the sheets soft and cool against my skin, the faint hum of the city filtering through the window. It had been a week since I'd moved in after the break-in at my place, and somehow, the days had slipped into a comfortable rhythm. No big talks about what was next just us, sharing the space, making the most of it. I strolled downstairs, my bare feet quiet on the wood floors. The kitchen smelled like fresh coffee and something baking muffins, maybe. Liam was there, in his usual spot at the stove, stirring a pot of oatmeal. He looked up when I entered, his smile easy and bright. "Morning, Nita. Sleep okay?" "Yeah, pretty good," I said, sliding onto a stool at the counter. "What's on the menu today, chef?" He chuckled, spooning oatmeal into bowls. "Oatmeal with blueberries and a dash of cinnamon. Nothing fancy, but I Sam sure you will love it." He pushed a bowl my way, along wit

That evening, we opted for takeout to keep things relaxed and effortless Chinese food from a local spot Liam swore by for its authentic flavors. He ordered an abundance to ensure variety: fried rice with veggies, shrimp, and eggs mixed in for a fluffy, savory base; steamed dumplings plump with pork and chive filling, their skins thin and delicate; a colorful stir-fry of broccoli, carrots, snow peas, and tofu in a glossy savory sauce; and crispy egg rolls that crackled with each bite, stuffed with cabbage, carrots, and a hint of five-spice powder. We spread the containers out on the coffee table in the living room, surrounding ourselves with soft pillows on the floor for a casual picnic-style setup. The TV was tuned to a stand-up comedy special, the comedian's voice filling the room with witty punchlines and exaggerated gestures that had us chuckling from the start."This is way too much food," I said, dipping a dumpling into a small bowl of soy sauce mixed with a touch of chili oil an