After days of silence, Elena finally agrees to meet Liam. A mixture of curiosity and family duty pushes her to go, though she doesn't expect anything positive from it. They meet at a chic downtown café, a discreet place to avoid attracting attention.
Liam is already there, dressed smartly but modestly. When he sees her enter, he stands and offers his hand, his politeness bordering on detachment. She hesitates before shaking it.
> Liam: "Thanks for coming, Elena. I imagine this situation is as tough for you as it is for me."
> Elena: "Tough? No, it's insane. Why are you even going along with this?"
Liam explains that his family has put enormous pressure on him, and he felt he had little choice. He doesn't seem particularly thrilled about it, but he remains pragmatic. Elena feels a strange mix of frustration and understanding. Their conversation is punctuated by awkward silences, neither of them knowing how to bridge the gap created by this "obligation" hanging over them.
> Elena: "Look, I'm not going to pretend I'm okay with this. But if it gives us some time, maybe we can go along with their plan for now… at least to keep the peace."
> Liam: "A compromise, then. We'll pretend to follow their plan while figuring out a way out of this."
Elena isn't fully convinced, but she realizes they both feel the same resistance to this marriage. This compromise marks a small turning point, though she remains wary and more determined than ever to protect her freedom.