Ava's POV
Jia had finally left, but not before giving me one last warning look. She wasn't thrilled about Liam's return, and honestly, neither was I. Not that I had any business caring anymore.
Dad sat by my bed, flipping through his phone, acting casual—too casual. He hadn't spoken about him since Jia spilled the news, but I knew better than to think he was fine with it.
And I was right.
"Are you sure you don't want me to handle this?" His voice was light, but there was an underlying edge to it.
I sighed, shaking my head. "Dad, there's nothing to handle."
He hummed like he didn't believe me. "Good. Because we don't know him anymore, do we?"
The words made my chest tighten, but I forced a small smile and nodded. "No. We don't."
He nodded back, patting my hand like he was sealing a deal.
But even as I agreed, even as I told myself it was over, I couldn't stop the small, stupid part of me that still cared. The part that had wanted him to stay a little longer.
The part that still remembered what it was like to love him.
But it didn't matter.
Because it was over.
Wasn't it?
Liam's POV
The case had drained me.
Witness statements, cross-examinations, the weight of a man's life depending on whether the right argument was made—every part of it felt exhausting.
But nothing compared to the exhaustion of not seeing her.
Even after everything, even when I knew I had no right, I still found myself standing outside her hospital room.
I didn't knock.
I didn't need to.
The door was slightly open, and inside, I saw him.
Ava's father.
For the first time in years.
The moment his eyes landed on me, my breath caught. There was no warmth there. No welcome.
Only cold, unwavering distance.
A warning.
"…Get out."
The words were calm. Too calm.
Ava tensed slightly, looking between us, but she didn't say anything.
I shook my head, stepping inside. "I'm not leaving."
He stood up, his posture stiff. "You should."
"I can explain," I started, but even I knew it sounded pathetic.
His eyes narrowed. "Explain what, exactly? That you broke her? That you lied? That you—"
"I didn't lie about how I felt!" I cut in, voice rough. "I never lied about that."
He scoffed. "Didn't you? What about your fiancée, then? What about the life you were supposed to have while dragging my daughter into it?"
My chest felt like it was caving in.
Ava's expression didn't change. She just sat there, watching. Silent.
"I didn't know about the engagement. I would've never let it happen if I had a choice," I said, voice quieter this time.
Her father's jaw tightened. "You always had a choice."
He wasn't wrong.
I swallowed hard, my gaze shifting to her.
She wasn't crying. She wasn't angry.
She was just…tired.
Too tired to care.
And somehow, that was worse than anything else.
I took a breath, forcing the words out. The only ones that mattered.
"I love you, Ava."
For the first time since I walked in, something flickered in her eyes.
Something raw. Something I wasn't sure I was allowed to hope for.
But before she could speak, before anything else could be said—
Her father stepped between us.
Blocking me from her completely.
And with a voice as cold as I'd ever heard, he said—
"You don't get to say that anymore."