Ava's POVThe vibrant energy of The Siren's Song faded into the background as Liam drove us back to his penthouse. Sarah and William took their leaves and I chose to stay with Liam as my house was manifested by Evelyn and Jessica. The playful banter and laughter from the karaoke session were replaced by a comfortable silence, a shared understanding that went beyond words.But beneath the surface, a lingering unease stirred within me. Isabella's unexpected appearance, the tension it had created, and the unanswered questions about Liam's past cast a shadow over the otherwise perfect evening.As we stepped into his luxurious apartment, the silence amplified the unspoken words that hung in the air. Liam, sensing my unease, gently led me to his bedroom, a spacious sanctuary with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. He guided me to sit on the edge of the bed, the plush velvet a stark contrast to the turmoil in my heart.Liam took a seat beside me, his gaze searching mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. "Ava," he began, his voice husky with emotion, "I know you have questions. About Isabella, about my past..."He paused, his hand reaching out to caress my cheek, his thumb gently wiping away a stray tear I hadn't realized had escaped."I'm ready to tell you everything," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "But first, I need you to know that she's just a ghost from the past. A painful reminder of a mistake I made, a lesson I learned the hard way."He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with a vulnerability that mirrored my own. "I was young, naive, and blinded by infatuation. I thought I had found love, but it was all a lie, a carefully constructed facade."He recounted the story of his relationship with Isabella, the betrayal, the manipulation, the deep scars that had shaped him into the guarded man I had first met. He spoke of his fear of vulnerability, his reluctance to trust, the walls he had built around his heart to protect himself from further pain.As he spoke, my heart ached for him, for the young man who had been so cruelly deceived. I reached for his hand, intertwining our fingers, offering a silent reassurance of my love, my understanding.Liam's gaze softened, his eyes reflecting the warmth of our connection. "Ava," he said, his voice filled with a newfound tenderness, "you're different. You're honest, genuine, and you see me for who I truly am, not for my name or my wealth."He paused, his gaze dropping to our intertwined hands, his touch lingering on my fingers. "I know you're probably wondering... about us, about intimacy..."He looked up, his eyes searching mine with a mix of apprehension and desire. "Ava, I know you're... inexperienced. And I want you to know that I respect that. I'm willing to wait, for as long as it takes, until you're ready."His words, spoken with such sincerity, such respect, filled me with a love that transcended any physical desire. This was the Liam I had fallen for, the man beneath the grumpy facade, the man who cherished and respected me for who I was."Liam," I said, my voice soft but firm, "I love you. And I trust you. But I want to wait. I want our first time to be special, a celebration of our love, a commitment to a future we're building together."Liam's face broke into a wide grin, his relief and happiness palpable. He leaned in, capturing my lips in a tender kiss that spoke volumes of his love and respect."Thank you, Ava," he murmured against my lips. "You're everything I've ever wanted, everything I never thought I deserved."We lay down on the bed, his arms wrapped securely around me, his warmth enveloping me like a protective cocoon. The city lights twinkled outside the window, a backdrop to the intimacy we shared, a silent promise of a future filled with love, laughter, and the unwavering certainty that we had found something truly special, something worth cherishing and protecting.As I drifted off to sleep, nestled in Liam's embrace, I knew that I had made the right decision. Our love was more than just physical desire; it was a deep connection, a bond built on trust, respect, and the unwavering belief that we were meant to be. And I knew, with a certainty that defied all logic, that our love story was just beginning, a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of passion, laughter, and the unwavering promise of a happily ever after.