Days turned into weeks, and Emily found herself falling deeper for Liam. They spent almost every night together, their relationship growing more intimate. Liam was attentive and caring, but there was always a part of him that remained distant, a shadow of his past love lingering in the background.
Emily tried to ignore it, focusing on the moments they shared. They went out to dinners, attended events together, and spent quiet evenings at home. Liam's influence and advice helped Emily secure the business deal she had been working on, and she felt grateful for his support.
Despite the happiness she felt, there was an undercurrent of unease. Emily knew that Liam's heart wasn't fully hers. One evening, as they lay in bed, she decided to confront him.
"Liam, can I ask you something?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course," he replied, his fingers tracing patterns on her arm.
"Who was she?" Emily asked, her heart pounding. "The woman you can't forget."
Liam's hand stilled, and he sighed. "Her name was Bella. We were together for years, but it didn't work out. She moved on, and I thought I had too, but sometimes the past has a way of haunting you."
Emily felt a pang of jealousy but pushed it aside. "Do you still love her?"
Liam was silent for a moment. "I don't know. I thought I did, but then I met you and things changed. You've made me feel things I haven't felt in a long time."
Emily's heart swelled with hope, but she couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. "I just want to be enough for you," she said softly.
Liam pulled her closer, kissing her forehead. "You are more than enough, Emily. I promise."
As they drifted off to sleep, Emily wondered if those words were enough to dispel the shadows of his past.