The house was suffocatingly silent.

After Harry left, Sora stayed curled in bed, her body trembling with exhaustion. But sleep never came. The storm outside had passed, leaving behind a sky streaked with soft grays and pale morning light.

But inside her, the storm still raged.

By the time dawn arrived, she dragged herself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to wash away the remnants of her tears. Her reflection stared back — pale, hollow-eyed, and utterly broken.

She hated what she saw.

With slow, shaky hands, she tied her hair back and left the room. The mansion's hallways stretched endlessly, the air heavy with memories she couldn't escape.

She didn't know where she was going. Only that she couldn't stay still.

Her feet carried her to the grand staircase, and as she descended, her fingers brushed along the railing like a lifeline. The sound of faint clinking echoed from the kitchen — John, probably. The ever-loyal butler who had watched her unravel piece by piece.

But when she reached the bottom, her heart seized.

Liam was there.

He sat in the living room, slumped on the couch, elbows on his knees, his hands tangled in his hair. The whiskey glass from last night sat untouched on the table, the amber liquid glinting in the morning light.

He looked wrecked. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, and his shirt was wrinkled like he'd slept in it — or not slept at all.

Sora froze, her pulse roaring in her ears. She should have turned around. Should have walked away. But her feet stayed rooted to the floor.

Like she couldn't help but watch him break, too.

After a moment, Liam lifted his head, and their eyes met.

The silence between them was unbearable.

But Sora refused to be the first to speak.

Liam stood slowly, his movements stiff, like the weight of everything they'd done to each other was crushing him. He walked toward her, stopping just a few feet away.

"Sora," he said, his voice rough as sandpaper.

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. "What do you want, Liam?"

He flinched, but to her surprise, he didn't lash out. Didn't throw his usual venom at her.

Instead, he looked... tired.

"Harry came to see you," Liam muttered, dragging a hand down his face.

Sora's chest tightened. "He did."

Liam swallowed hard, his jaw flexing. "Are you... going back to him?"

The question knocked the air from her lungs.

Did he actually think she could?

"I don't love him, Liam," she said, her voice sharp. "You should know that by now."

Something flickered in Liam's eyes, a flash of relief he couldn't quite hide. But it was quickly buried under layers of guilt and self-loathing.

He stepped closer, and Sora instinctively backed up.

"Don't," she snapped, her voice shaking. "Don't come near me."

Liam froze, hurt flashing across his face. "I just want to talk."

"Oh, now you want to talk?" she hissed, her nails biting into her palms. "After everything? After Vivian? After the lies?"

Liam winced at her name, as if just hearing it physically hurt him.

"I never wanted her," he said, his voice low and raw. "I swear to God, Sora. I didn't kiss her because I wanted to. I did it because..."

He trailed off, looking away, shame twisting his expression.

"Because what?" Sora demanded.

He swallowed hard. "Because I was afraid of what I felt for you."

Sora's breath caught in her throat.

"I don't know how to love you without hurting you," Liam admitted, his voice cracking. "And I can't stop hurting you, no matter how much I try."

Her chest caved in, tears burning her eyes. "Then why are you still here?"

Liam looked at her like the answer should have been obvious.

"Because I don't know how to stop needing you."

The words shattered her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the distant ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway.

Sora wiped her face, her shoulders shaking. "I don't trust you, Liam."

"I know," he whispered.

"I hate you," she choked out.

"I know," he said again, his voice breaking.

Sora lifted her chin, her gaze cold despite the tears. "And I'll never forgive you."

Liam nodded, his face pale. "Okay."

He stepped back, giving her the space she so desperately needed. But before he turned to leave, he whispered something so quietly she almost didn't hear it.

"I'll still love you anyway."

Then he walked away, leaving Sora standing in the wreckage of their love, unsure if they'd ever be able to rebuild it again.