Chapter 425

Liam and Evelyn hadn't planned on using the car. Walking hand in hand felt more intimate, more real. Evelyn hummed softly in response to the unspoken question between them.

"When?" Liam's voice was low, strained.

A sharp pang shot through Evelyn's chest. She forced her tone to remain light. "Solterra has arranged for my retrieval. The moment their envoy arrives, I'll be gone."

Liam's gaze lifted to the twilight sky, the weight in his chest growing heavier. Each breath felt like a struggle, as if the air had turned to lead.

"My parents are still out there," Evelyn added quietly. "Promise me you'll keep searching for them."

"I promise."

"I'll also have Solterra's authorities assist in the search."

Liam's steps slowed, his grip on her hand tightening imperceptibly.

"Liam," Evelyn's voice wavered, "could you check on my grandparents occasionally? They're getting older, and they live alone..."

She swallowed hard, her next words trembling. "I'm swamped with work, and they don't know about my job. They wouldn't understand why I can't visit or call. I can't return to Aldenria, and—" Her voice broke. "I hate that I have to leave them like this."

Liam stopped abruptly. He couldn't look at her—not when his own composure was hanging by a thread. His jaw clenched as he forced out the words, "When you left Aldenria ten years ago, you'd already decided never to come back."

"That's why you cut ties with everyone here. You only returned because of Julian." Liam's eyes glistened as he stared at the distant city lights. "How long this time? Five years? Ten? Or will it be another lifetime?"

Evelyn's heart shattered. Even without a future together, Liam would wait. The realization crushed her.

She drew a shaky breath. "Liam, don't wait for me. If you meet someone wonderful, embrace it. Fall in love. Marry her. Build a life."

Liam's throat burned. He tipped his head back, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. When he spoke, his voice was rough. "And you? Will you find someone? Start a family? Have children?"

"I don't know," Evelyn whispered, wiping her cheeks. The future was a void she couldn't predict.

Liam had no words left. He pulled her into a crushing embrace. She clung to him just as desperately, her tears soaking into his shirt.

He couldn't fathom the depth of her sorrow. Was it leaving Archibald and Margaret? Serving Aldenria one last time? Or the agony of failing to rescue her parents? Any one of those reasons was enough to break her.

She cried so easily now, yet she was still the woman he loved. But she was never meant to stay.

Liam gently stroked her hair. "Evelyn," he murmured, "when it's time to go, don't tell me. Just leave quietly, alright?"

Evelyn's tears fell faster. "Why?"

"Because I can't relive that pain—breaking down at the airport like I did ten years ago." His voice cracked. "I'm terrified I'll lose control. That I'll hide you away where no one can take you from me."

Evelyn buried her face deeper into his chest, her arms locking around him. She wept silently, wishing she could stay in his arms forever.