Liana's POV:
"Liana…" That desperate call from Ethilia made me freeze and I turned back to her slowly.
Her eyes were red and wide, her hands ice-cold, and her breathing uneven… but above everything, it was the fear in her eyes that broke me the most.
I took a deep breath and pulled her closer. "I'm not going anywhere… I'll always be by your side." My voice trembled a little, but I didn't care. She needed to know that I'm here… that I'll be here even if the whole world turns against her.
She let out a shaky breath and buried her face into my neck. My heart was acting physically, and I didn't know how to ease that feeling, but one thing I was sure of… I would never let Ethilia get hurt again. Not when I'm present.
Just then, I heard Laura's voice and Alena's giggles. I inhaled deeply and gently pulled back from Ethilia. "Wipe your face. Wait, maybe I have a wet tissue. The facial one."
She nodded, running her trembling fingers through her hair while I searched the bag. I hold the tissue. "Here."
She gave me a weak smile and reached out to take it, but I raised a brow. "Nope… let me."
A small chuckle escaped her, and she let me wipe her face. While I was gently cleaning her cheeks, the door opened.
Laura came in and settled Alena on the seat. Alena looked at us, grinned sleepily, then went right back to her game on Laura's phone.
Laura moved to the driver's seat and glanced at me through the rearview mirror. I nodded, just a tiny signal that everything was fine, and she smiled before starting the car.
The ride went quiet quickly. Alena fell asleep within minutes; she always does whenever she's in a moving vehicle.
I wrapped an arm around Ethilia, and she rested her head on my shoulder. I leaned down and pressed a small kiss on her forehead."Sleep. You need the rest."
She hummed, eyes half-closed, but her fingers found mine. She kept playing with them absentmindedly... intertwining them, squeezing gently here and there. Each tiny touch made something warm spread through my chest.
I smiled and rested my head against hers before closing my eyes.
The sun set, and the moon started to brighten the sky when Laura pulled the car to the side of the road. She twisted a little in her seat.
"Liana… take the wheel. I'm sleepy." She stretched and murmured.
I nodded and gently slipped away from Ethilia. I tried not to wake her, but the moment my warmth left, she blinked awake, frowning softly. "Where are you going?"
I circled around and opened the driver's door. Laura stepped out, yawning, and moved to take my previous seat.
"Laura's sleepy, baby…" I said, sliding behind the wheel. Laura grabbed a neck pillow and settled in the back.
Ethilia leaned forward a bit. "When will we reach?" Her voice was soft but hoarse, maybe from crying earlier, maybe from the short nap.
I glanced and checked the map before answering, "Half an hour, love."
She grinned widely at the word 'love'. And that smile made my heart skip a beat. My fingers tightened around the steering wheel, and I had to take a deep breath to steady myself...
In that moment, all I prayed for was one thing:
My Lord, keep her like this… that smile is the most precious thing I could ever protect. Please... please, let me be the reason she smiles like that.
The road was empty, so I pressed the accelerator a bit more. I wanted to get home soon… to hold her properly… to kiss those lips without interruption.
As much as I wanted to be the reason for her smiles, I wanted even more to be the reason for the tears of anyone who had ever made her cry. Call me evil if you want, but I can't be an angel to anyone who dared to hurt my girl.
Ethilia glanced at Laura and Alena, then whispered, "Liana…"
I hummed and leaned back the slightest bit so our heads were closer. She bit her lip and whispered, "Do you think… this is right?"
I frowned and glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "What do you mean?"
She sighed and checked on Laura and Alena again, making sure they were asleep. Then she looked at me. "I… I have a bad reputation. Even if they're just rumors, still…"
"Still nothing, Ethilia." I cut her off immediately. I didn't want to hear another second of her putting herself down.
"It's my life. I get to choose who I want in it. And when even my own parents didn't interfere, then who are they to judge?" My grip tightened on the wheel, though I kept the drive steady and safe.
Ethilia hummed and leaned forward again. Her breath brushed against my neck, and my jaw clenched... Not from anger, but because that tiny touch sent a rush of heat straight through my body.
Ethilia chuckled and leaned in to press a soft kiss on my temple before settling back into her seat. I sucked in a sharp breath and licked my lips, then shot her a look through the mirror.
"You troublemaker…" I murmured with a small smile.
She grinned proudly. "Your troublemaker." She winked and crossed her arms.
I shook my head with a quiet laugh and focused on the road. A few minutes passed in silence before she spoke again. "But… what about your fans?"
I let out a huff. Why does this woman always bring up something that barely matters? "What about them?" I frowned as the car finally entered the city limits.
Ethilia bit her lip. "You know… if they get angry. Or something."
I didn't answer right away, keeping my eyes on the road. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her pouting... she was cute with her lips pushed out slightly, her brows knit together when she thought I was ignoring her.
I couldn't help but chuckle softly and kept driving until we reached Laura's house.
I turned off the engine. "Lia, wake that sleepy head."
Ethilia looked outside, then turned toward Laura and gently shook her hand. "Laura… your house… I guess?" She glanced at me for confirmation, and I nodded.
Laura yawned and stretched, then looked around. She turned to me with a grin. "We'll meet soon, right?"
I nodded and winked before stepping out of the car with her... I helped her unload her luggage... but honestly, more to thank her for everything she'd done than because she needed the help.
We walked to the back of the car together, and as I picked up another bag, she nudged me slightly. "So… everything sorted now?"
I nodded and turned to her before pulling her into a hug. Honestly, Laura had helped me more than she probably realized. She pushed Ethilia to make her move; she made me realize how important Ethilia was to me, and she always made sure I actually talked to her.
Laura hugged back and patted my shoulder. "I won't always be around, Liana. So you better understand her. And don't sulk when she gives you the cold shoulder sometimes, alright?"
I hummed, stepping back and giving her a playful salute. "Honestly, thanks again for the extra time you gave me with Ethilia…"
She shook her head with a smirk. "Actually… maybe I need your help with something too."
I frowned, confused but amused. "My help? With what?"
She picked up her bags and started walking. Over her shoulder, just before entering her gate, she said, "Eliza Voss... maybe keep the name in mind?" She winked and disappeared inside.
I rolled my eyes and got back into the driver's seat. Ethilia looked at me with a small frown. "What were you guys talking about?"
I tilted my head her way as I started the car again. "Why? Are you jealous, my love?"
Ethilia chuckled softly, careful not to wake Alena, and shook her head. "Not really. I trust you with Laura. She can be many things, but she's not someone who steals from others."
I smiled at that and hummed. Ethilia leaned into her seat, crossed her arms, and whispered almost to herself, "Let alone someone's happiness and life…"
My breath caught in my throat, and I glanced at her through the mirror. There was no teasing on her face.... just pure sincerity.
It made my hands go weak for a moment before I cleared my throat to steady myself.
Ethilia chuckled softly and turned to the window. "You are my happiness, Liana…" she whispered, and I sucked in a deep breath, placing a hand over my chest to keep my heart from leaping out.
When we reached my house, I pressed the horn. The gatekeeper opened the gates the moment he recognized the car. I drove down the long driveway and finally pulled up near the entrance.
Ethilia gasped, her eyes widening as she looked out her window. I quickly circled around to open her door and held my hand out to her.
I was nervous about what she might think of the house. Will she like it?
I built it the way I wanted, but now… I wasn't sure. It was too big for just one person. But now I have them, and it shouldn't feel lonely anymore.