Bound By Love

Chapter 10: Reclaimed Passion

Chapter 10: Reclaimed Passion

As the days crawled by, the once strong and unbreakable bond between Liam and Sophia stretched thin, a tenuous thread connecting them through memories and unresolved emotions. The distance between them grew, leaving an aching void that only seemed to deepen with time.

Both caught in a fierce battle between their dreams and their love, Liam found himself drowning in the relentless demands of his father, Robert. Expecting nothing less than perfection from his son, Robert pushed Liam to his breaking point as he tried desperately to prove himself in every aspect of his life. In the midst of it all, Liam longed for Sophia's laughter, her warmth, her touch - reminders of what he was missing out on while being consumed by work.

Meanwhile, Sophia threw herself into her work at the firm, pouring every ounce of energy she had into proving her worth. With Robert's approval, James's guidance, and Evelyn's quiet encouragement, she found solace and stability. But amidst the hustle and bustle of office life, she couldn't escape the whispers and rumours surrounding her relationship with James - each one a painful reminder of the delicate balance she was trying to maintain. Her heart ached for Liam, but her determination to pave her own path and make something meaningful of herself kept her pushing forward, day after day. As graduation loomed, Sophia felt a wave of nostalgia and bittersweet excitement building within her. She wanted Liam there, more than anything, to share this moment that represented so much of her hard work and sacrifice. She had asked him, almost pleaded, to come.

Sophia's phone rang, and she answered eagerly. "Hey, Liam," she said, hoping to hear good news.

"Liam, please, it's one day... one day that means so much to me," she had pleaded a few weeks earlier, her voice soft yet insistent. "I want you to be there, to see me walk across that stage."

He had sighed heavily on the other end of the line. "Sophia, you know how much I want to be there. But work here... it's more demanding than I anticipated. My father expects a lot from me, and I'm still trying to prove myself." His voice dropped, almost apologetic. "I can't just drop everything and leave."

Sophia tried to mask her disappointment, but she knew he could hear it in her voice. "I understand, Liam. Really, I do." She paused, her tone turning pleading. "But I was hoping... I don't know. I guess a part of me thought you'd make it work somehow."

"Soph, you know if I could be there, I'd do anything to make it happen," he replied softly, a tinge of guilt creeping into his tone.

She laughed bitterly. "Well, maybe James would have managed. You know, dropped everything to be there," she murmured without thinking about how it might sound.

Liam's voice sharpened with irritation. "Why do you have to bring James into this?" he asked tersely. "Sophia, I thought this was between us."

Taking a deep breath, Sophia tried to explain herself. "I wasn't comparing, Liam. I was just saying... it feels like others prioritize me, that's all."

A tense silence fell between them as neither wanted to say more and risk escalating the tension.

"I should go," Liam finally said in a clipped voice. "I'll call you later."

"Fine," Sophia replied, her voice tinged with sadness. "Goodnight, Liam."

"Goodnight, Sophia."

As she hung up, her heart felt heavy. She knew she shouldn't have mentioned James, but the thought of not having Liam there made her chest ache.

On the day of her graduation, as she stepped onto the stage and received her degree, that hope dimmed. The applause, the cheers, all felt hollow without him beside her. She tried to hide her disappointment, reminding herself that he had his commitments, just as she had hers.

But then, as her gaze swept across the crowd, she froze. There, sitting in the audience, clapping and whistling with unabashed enthusiasm, was Liam. Her heart skipped a beat, and her breath caught as their eyes met across the crowded room. He was there. Against all odds, he was there.

"Liam...?" she whispered to herself, her eyes wide with surprise and joy.

His eyes locked with hers and a mischievous sparkle lit them up. His wide grin stretched across his face, causing her own smile to mirror his. In that moment, the rest of the room faded away until it was just the two of them, caught in a private bubble of joy.

As the ceremony came to an end and people began to disperse, she felt her phone vibrate with a message from him.

Liam: Meet me at our special place.

Without hesitation, she practically sprinted through the familiar halls of the library, her heart racing in anticipation. She reached their secluded corner, tucked away between shelves of books, and there he was - leaning casually against the bookshelf with that same adoring smile on his face.

"Surprise," he said in a low, velvety voice.

She couldn't contain her excitement as she threw herself into his waiting arms. "You...you came," she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion.

"Of course I did," he murmured, holding her tightly. "Did you really think I'd miss this? You mean everything to me, Sophia. There's nowhere else I'd rather be." Their spot in the library was a sacred place for them - a symbol of their love and commitment to each other. And in that moment, surrounded by books and whispering secrets, they were reminded once again of how lucky they were to have found each other in this chaotic world. They pulled back, just enough to look at each other, their faces inches apart. "I can't believe you're actually here," she whispered, her eyes shining with happiness.

He cupped her face, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

As they stood together in that hidden corner of the library, the weight of their months apart crashed over them in an irresistible wave of longing and need. Liam's fingers traced along Sophia's jawline, memorizing the delicate curve beneath his touch. Her eyes closed, savouring the sensation as his hand slid down to cradle the back of her neck, drawing her closer.

Their lips met, slow and soft at first, a gentle rediscovery that quickly deepened into something more fervent. His tongue sought hers, each brush igniting sparks that spread through both of them like wildfire. The kiss grew hungrier, their lips parting and meeting again, their tongues dancing together in a rhythm that was all their own. He gently nipped her bottom lip, and she moaned softly against his mouth, a sound that sent a shiver down his spine and stirred something deep within him.

Unable to hold back, Liam pulled her tighter, pressing her against him as though afraid she might slip away. His hands traced the curve of her waist, anchoring her to him, and he lifted her effortlessly, making her gasp as he drew her even closer. She felt his warmth, the solid strength of him, grounding her as her hands roamed over his shoulders and chest, reacquainting herself with every contour.

His mouth trailed down to her neck, leaving a searing path of kisses along her skin. He inhaled deeply, savouring the familiar, intoxicating scent of her—a mix of perfume and something uniquely Sophia that he'd missed so desperately. A low, guttural moan escaped him as he breathed her in, his own personal elixir. "God, Sophia," he murmured, his voice thick with need. "You're my addiction, my only vice."

She arched her neck, giving him more access as his lips brushed along her collarbone, his teeth grazing her skin in a way that sent a tremor through her. Her hands buried in his hair, pulling him closer as she whispered his name, her voice a soft plea.

"Liam..."

The sound of her voice, breathless and yearning, only fuelled him more. He kissed his way back up to her lips, capturing her in a deep, fervent kiss once more. Their bodies pressed together, their breaths mingling as their hands explored, each touch a reassurance of the love and passion that had been simmering through all those lonely months. Time faded, leaving only them—bound together, as if the rest of the world had fallen away.