Chapter 8 – Past Haunts
The weekend was supposed to be quiet, just Ella and Liam enjoying their first real moments together. But the peace didn't last long.
Liam's phone buzzed on the counter. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening.
"Everything okay?" Ella asked, noticing the sudden change.
He hesitated, then sighed. "It's… complicated."
Before she could ask more, the doorbell rang. Liam opened it to reveal a woman with sharp features and a confident smile.
"Liam! Long time no see," she said, her tone casual but sharp.
Ella froze. Her mind raced. Who was she?
"This is my ex," Liam muttered, almost under his breath. "She's… visiting for work."
Ella's chest tightened. She wanted to trust him—she really did—but her heart fluttered nervously.
"I see," she said quietly, keeping her voice calm.
The ex didn't notice the tension. She chatted with Liam as if they were still friends, laughing and teasing him casually. Ella stood quietly, sipping her tea, trying not to let her jealousy show.
After a while, the ex left, but the apartment felt different. Ella's eyes met Liam's. "Does she… mean something to you?"
He shook his head immediately. "No. She's in the past. What matters is now… with you."
Ella wanted to believe him, and a small part of her did—but another part whispered doubt. Could she truly let her heart trust him fully, or would his past always linger in the shadows?
That night, she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Liam was asleep across the room, peaceful, unaware of the storm in her mind. And she realized that love wasn't just about sparks and laughter—it was about facing fears, pasts, and insecurities… together.