The house was too quiet again.
Not the peaceful kind of quiet…
The kind that made you feel like something was missing.
Liana stood in the living room, her arms wrapped around herself as if that could hold her together.
The lights were on, dinner was ready, everything was in place.
Just like every other night.
And just like every other night… he wasn't there.
She glanced at the clock.
Nine thirty.
A faint smile touched her lips, but it didn't last.
At this point, she didn't even know why she still waited.
Maybe it was habit.
Maybe it was hope.
Or maybe she just didn't know how to stop.
Her phone lay on the table beside her.
Silent.
No calls, no messages… nothing.
She picked it up anyway, unlocking it slowly, like something might have changed.
It hadn't.
A quiet breath left her.
"Of course…"
Her gaze shifted to the dining table.
Two plates.
One already getting cold.
She had made his favorite tonight.
Not because it was special… just because she wanted to.
That was how it had always been with her.
She gave.
And gave.
And gave.
And somewhere along the way… she forgot what it felt like to receive.
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway broke the silence.
Her heart reacted before her mind could stop it.
A quick beat.
A small rush.
Hope.
She closed her eyes for a second, almost annoyed at herself.
"Don't do that…" she whispered.
Still… she walked to the door.
Because no matter how many times she told herself not to care, she still did.
The door opened.
Adrian stepped inside, loosening his tie, his attention already somewhere else.
He looked the same as always… sharp, composed, untouchable.
Like nothing in the world could reach him.
His gaze passed over her briefly.
"You're late again," Liana said softly.
"I had work," he replied, not looking at her.
That was all.
No apology, no explanation.
Just those words.
Liana nodded slowly, like she understood… like she accepted it.
"There's dinner," she said.
"I made your favorite."
"I already ate."
The words were simple, but they landed harder than they should have.
"Oh… okay."
A quiet pause followed.
The kind that used to feel comfortable once.
But now only felt heavy.
She watched him move around, taking off his watch, setting it down, completely at ease.
Like this was normal.
Like this was fine.
"Adrian…"
He stopped, but didn't turn.
"What is it?"
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"I was thinking maybe we could spend some time together tonight… just a little."
A pause.
"It's been a while."
He let out a small breath.
"I'm tired, Liana. We'll talk another time."
Another time.
The words echoed in her mind.
Always later.
Never now.
She swallowed.
"You always say that."
That made him turn slightly.
"Say what?"
"That you're tired… that we'll talk later… that you're busy."
Her voice stayed calm, but something deeper was rising.
"But you're not too tired for other things… are you?"
That got his full attention.
His eyes narrowed just a little.
"What are you trying to say?"
Liana held his gaze now.
"I saw you."
Silence fell between them.
Not empty… heavy.
"At the restaurant this afternoon… with her."
For a moment, Adrian said nothing.
And that silence told her more than words ever could.
"You followed me?" he asked.
"No."
Her voice was steady.
"I went there to surprise you… but I think I was the one who got surprised."
He exhaled slowly, like this conversation was already exhausting him.
"It's not what you think."
That line again.
That same line.
Something inside her shifted.
"No?" she said quietly.
"Then tell me what it is."
She took a step closer.
"Because from where I was standing… you looked happy."
Her voice softened.
"And I haven't seen that look on your face in a long time."
His jaw tightened.
"You're overthinking this."
A soft laugh escaped her.
"No… I've been underthinking everything."
She shook her head.
"For years."
That hit something.
She saw it… but it wasn't enough.
It never was.
Her chest rose and fell slowly.
Then she asked,
"Do you even love me?"
The question hung between them.
Adrian looked at her.
And for the first time… he didn't answer.
That silence broke something in her completely.
Liana nodded slowly.
"I see."
Her eyes burned, but she held herself together.
"I stayed because I believed in us."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I thought if I tried harder… if I loved you enough… it would be enough."
She let out a breath.
"But it never was."
She turned away.
"Where are you going?" he asked, his tone sharper now.
"To pack."
He moved instantly.
"Liana, stop."
She stopped… but didn't turn.
For a moment, she waited.
Maybe he would say something different.
Something real.
Something that would make her stay.
But instead—
"You're being dramatic."
That was it.
Something inside her went completely quiet.
No anger.
No pain.
Just clarity.
She turned slowly.
Her face calm now… too calm.
"No, Adrian."
Her voice was steady.
"I'm finally being honest."
She held his gaze.
"I'm leaving."
The words were simple.
But they changed everything.
He stared at her.
"You'll come back," he said, like it was certain.
Liana shook her head gently.
"No… not this time."
She walked past him.
And this time, he didn't stop her.
As she reached the door, his voice came again, softer now.
"Liana…"
Her hand paused on the handle.
For a second.
Just one.
Then she opened the door… and stepped outside.
The night air hit her softly.
Cold.
Real.
Free.
She wiped her tears quickly.
But when she lifted her head—
She froze.
Someone was standing right in front of her.
Close enough that her breath caught.
"…you?"
The man's eyes locked onto hers.
Dark.
Intense.
"I've been looking for you, Liana."
Her heart dropped.
Because she knew him.
And if he was here…
Then the past she thought she had buried…
Was about to destroy everything.