Valerie's POV
After Julien and I talked, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. It was as if a weight had been lifted from my chest, allowing me to breathe a little easier. We had shared so much, and for the first time in a while, I felt hopeful about what the future might hold. I fell asleep that night happy, my mind swirling with thoughts of the possibilities.
The morning sun streamed through my window, warming my skin as I stirred awake. I stretched, letting the light fill me with energy. I wandered to the kitchen, pouring myself a bowl of cereal and munching absentmindedly, still replaying our conversation in my head. Maybe there was a way to navigate this mess. Maybe Julien and I could find a path back to each other.
Just as I was finishing my breakfast, a sudden knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. My heart raced as I stood up and walked toward the sound. Could it be Julien again? A part of me was excited, but another part felt a twinge of guilt. I had broken my engagement for him, and I still hadn't fully resolved how I felt about everything.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, and there he was—Liam. My heart jumped at the sight of him, that familiar rush of feelings flooding back. He looked a little disheveled, as if he'd been thinking about this moment for far too long.
"Hey," he said, his voice low but steady.
"Hey," I replied, my voice catching slightly. "What are you doing here?"
"I needed to talk to you," he said, his gaze intense.
"Can I come in?"
I hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the chaos of my thoughts, then stepped aside to let him in. As he entered, the familiar scent of his cologne wrapped around me, and I couldn't help but feel that spark again, that electric tension that hung in the air between us.
Once we were inside, I felt the weight of the silence. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. "So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light.
Liam ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. "I've been thinking about us... about that night. Things have been fucking crazy since you walked out, and I can't shake the feeling that we have something real."
I swallowed hard, feeling my stomach twist. "Liam, I—"
"Just let me finish," he interrupted, his eyes searching mine. "I know this whole situation with Julien is complicated. But what happened between us, that kiss—it wasn't just some random mistake. It felt significant. It felt like... I don't know, like we were meant to cross paths."
I took a step back, trying to process what he was saying. "But I'm engaged, Liam. I can't just throw that away without thinking about the consequences."
"I get that, but what about your happiness? What about what you really want?" His voice grew more passionate. "You shouldn't feel guilty for wanting to be with someone who makes you feel alive. I can't be just the guy on the side while you figure out your life. That's not fair to either of us."
His words hit me hard. "You think I want to hurt Julien? He deserves better than that. I feel like a total bitch for even considering this. He's been through so much already, and here I am, ready to toss everything aside for you."
"I'm not asking you to hurt anyone, but you have to admit that you have feelings for me, too," he said, taking a step closer. "It's not just about Julien. It's about you and me."
I shook my head, feeling overwhelmed. "I just... I don't know what I want, Liam. I feel so torn. I had everything planned out with Julien, but with you, it's different. It feels more intense, more real. But I can't just jump into something without knowing how it'll end."
