17
Liam walked out of the store, his hands full of small items.
When he saw me, his eyes widened slightly in surprise.
The soft morning light framed his face, casting a golden glow over his features.
I stood directly in his path, refusing to move.
He tilted his head, his expression calm and distant.
“Can you step aside?” he asked, his tone flat, like he was talking to a stranger.
The way he looked at me–so detached, so unfamiliar–it broke something inside me.
“Liam…
My voice cracked, the last syllable catching in my throat.
I saw his pupils dilate as he registered the tears streaming down my face.
He dropped everything he was holding and pulled me into his arms, his hand gently brushing my cheek as he wiped away my tears,
“Why are you crying?”
“Don’t cry. It’s my fault, okay? I’m sorry!”
“It’s all my fault. Please don’t cry, hmm?”
His words were soft, coaxing, as if I might shatter if he didn’t handle me carefully.
I looked up at him through blurry eyes, my voice trembling.
“I’ve had no one my whole life… no parents… no family…”
“And now you’re leaving me too, Liam. How could you be so cruel?”
23:34 Mon., Apr 7 GO
He sighed, his voice low and full of guilt.
“Okay, okay. It’s all my fault. Everything’s my fault.”
“You’re my little princess, alright? I’ll do whatever you want. Just stop crying.”
But I couldn’t stop.
I sobbed so hard I could barely breathe, my chest heaving as I clung to him like he was the only thing keeping me from falling apart.
It wasn’t until my nose became completely blocked that I remembered–I wasn’t just crying.
I was sick.
As if on cue, the fever hit me full force, and my head spun.
My body swayed unsteadily, and I clutched at his sleeve for support.
In the last moments before I blacked out. I heard Liam’e nanickad vaina aallina mu
