Liam's POV
Lunch was served not long after a light spread, my mother insisted on preparing herself. The table gleamed under soft sunlight pouring in through the wide windows, and for once, home felt less like a quiet museum and more… alive.
Aria sat across from me, carefully polite, the silver fork balanced between her fingers as she thanked my mother for every dish passed her way. Layla did most of the talking at first teasing, laughing, and asking questions but soon even my father joined in, his usually firm tone softening as conversation flowed.
"So, Aria," he began after a sip of water, "where are you from originally?"
She looked up, smiling politely. "I'm from Russia, sir."
"Russia?" My mother leaned forward, pleasantly surprised. "That's wonderful! It must be beautiful there."
Aria nodded. "It is. I haven't been back in a while, but I still miss the winters sometimes."
"Miss the winters," Layla said with a playful groan. "You're officially tougher than me."
That made Aria laugh softly a small, musical sound that drew every eye for a moment.
My father smiled faintly, clearly intrigued. "And what do you want to do in the future, if you don't mind me asking?"
She hesitated, setting her fork down gently. "I want to study business," she said. "Maybe start something of my own one day. I've always wanted to build something that's mine."
There was something steady and confident in the way she said it not pride, but quiet determination.
My father nodded, genuinely impressed. "Ambitious," he said. "That's good. The world needs people who create instead of waiting for things to happen."
"Thank you, sir," Aria replied, her voice sincere.
As they continued talking my mother asking about her family, Layla throwing in a dozen lighthearted questions I found myself barely touching my food. I was too busy watching her.
The way she carried herself, the way she spoke calm, kind, sure. It was strange, how easily she fit in. Like she'd always been meant to sit at that table, smiling softly while sunlight glowed against her hair.
—-
Time passed quickly after lunch. The conversation lingered pleasantly bits of laughter, my mother insisting Aria try her homemade dessert, Lila sneaking in teasing remarks that made Aria blush and me roll my eyes. It felt… easy, almost too easy.
Eventually, the afternoon light began to fade, casting long golden streaks across the marble floor. Aria glanced at the clock and shifted slightly in her seat. "We should probably get going," she said softly. "It's getting late."
Mom's face fell immediately. "Oh, must you leave already? You'll come visit again, won't you?"
Aria smiled, polite as always. "I'd love to. Thank you for having me, Mrs. Knight."
Mom reached forward and squeezed her hand affectionately. "You're welcome anytime, dear. And please call me Anna next time."
I excused myself briefly, heading upstairs to grab a few things my duffel bag, phone charger, and the folder I'd meant to pick up in the first place. When I came back down, I paused for a second at the bottom of the stairs.
Aria was still standing with my mother, listening quietly as Layla said something that made her laugh again. Even my father had that faint smile that rarely left his face these days. It was a rare sight my family, genuinely light-hearted.
"All set?" I asked, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
Aria turned to me, nodding. "Yeah."
We said our goodbyes, lingering a little longer than we probably needed to. Mom hugged Aria, Layla waved dramatically, and Dad gave me that subtle, knowing look again the kind that said more than words ever did.
Then we stepped outside.
The cool air met us as the door closed behind, the garden bathed in late sunlight. I placed her bag in the backseat, and she thanked me quietly before getting in.
As I started the engine and pulled out of the long driveway, I caught her reflection in the window her eyes tracing the house as it grew smaller in the distance.
For some reason, watching her there soft light brushing her face, silence between us that didn't feel heavy anymore I had the strangest thought.
Maybe this wasn't the last time she'd walk through those doors.
—-
The drive back to campus was quiet, almost painfully so. Aria hadn't said a word since we left my house, her gaze fixed on the passing streets. The only sounds were the hum of the engine and the soft thrum of music playing low from the radio.
When I finally pulled into the parking lot near the dorm, she unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door.
"I'll get your bag," I said quickly before she could step out.
She didn't argue, just nodded lightly and waited. I got out, walked to the trunk, and lifted her suitcase. She stood beside the car, her arms folded loosely as the wind caught strands of her hair.
"Here," I said, handing the suitcase to her. Our fingers brushed — brief, but enough to stir something I'd been trying to ignore.
"Thanks," she murmured.
I exhaled slowly. "Aria—"
She looked up, wary. "What?"
. "About Last night….." I started but she quickly interrupted
"There's nothing to talk about, Liam."Her eyes flickered away.
I frowned. "You're seriously going to pretend nothing happen?"
She hesitated, gripping the handle of her suitcase tighter. "Maybe it shouldn't have happened. Maybe it was just… a mistake."
My jaw clenched. "A mistake," I repeated flatly. "Right."
She took a step back, but I followed, unable to stop myself. "You kissed me back, Aria. Don't tell me that meant nothing."
Her voice came out sharper than before. "It didn't mean anything! We were caught up in the moment, that's all."
I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. "You can say that as many times as you want it doesn't make it true."
"Believe what you want," she said quietly, turning toward the dorm.
For a second, I almost called her back. But something in her tone stopped me not anger, not denial something closer to fear.
So I just stood there, watching her walk away under the soft glow of the campus lights, her silhouette growing smaller with each step.
She didn't look back.
And that was the part that hurt the most.