Sophia couldn't ignore the weight of Liam's words, nor could she stop replaying them in her mind. The way he had spoken to her—so raw, so open—was unsettling. She'd always kept her emotions under tight control, using her sharp wit and cold demeanor to protect herself. But something about Liam's quiet intensity, his refusal to back down, had chipped away at her defenses. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this vulnerable.
Over the next few days, their interactions shifted. It wasn't dramatic or overt, but there was a subtle change. They began to share more—small conversations over dinner, brief moments of understanding in meetings, even shared glances when the other wasn't looking. It wasn't enough to call it a truce, but it was something. And, for better or worse, Sophia wasn't sure if she was ready for it.
One evening, as she sat in the living room reviewing some documents, Liam appeared in the doorway, his usual self-assured demeanor still intact but with an unfamiliar uncertainty in his eyes.
"I was thinking," he started, then paused, clearly weighing his words. "Maybe we should go out. You know, get away from this place for a bit. No work. No family obligations. Just... time to breathe."
Sophia looked up from her papers, her gaze meeting his with a flicker of surprise. "Out? As in a date?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. The very thought of it felt wrong—like walking into uncharted territory.
Liam's lips curved into a half-smile. "Not a date. Just a break from all this tension. We don't have to talk about our marriage or work. Just... two people trying to get along."
Sophia studied him for a moment, trying to gauge whether this was some sort of trick. But the sincerity in his eyes stopped her cold. She hadn't expected this—his willingness to step outside their usual animosity, to offer something that felt like a gesture of genuine connection.
"What's the catch?" she asked, her voice cautious, though her heart pounded louder than she wanted to admit.
"No catch," he replied smoothly. "Just a chance for us to stop pretending. Just for a night."
Sophia hesitated. She didn't know what she was looking for, what she was hoping for, but a part of her was tempted. There was an undeniable pull between them, and for the first time in weeks, she wondered if maybe—just maybe—it was worth exploring.
"Fine," she said, her voice quiet but resolute. "But this doesn't change anything."
Liam's smile deepened, and for the first time in a long while, Sophia felt like she was walking into a moment that could change everything.