You were sitting on the edge of the bed, following lines in a book you weren't even reading. You hadn't turned a page in a few minutes.The night was still, the air cold, and Liam sat in his usual chair, silently studying his papers.

Then, without looking at him, you whispered in a low voice, as if talking to yourself:

"If no one had forced you into this marriage...Would you have chosen me?"

A long moment of silence passed. You hadn't expected an answer from him at all...you were used to him leaving your questions hanging, just as he always did.

But this time, he said calmly, without raising his eyes:

"And I wouldn't have missed the chance to have you."

It was as if time had stopped.

His words weren't loud, but they struck you like a bell in your heart, awakening everything that was asleep.

You slowly raised your eyes to him, in surprise mixed with deep shyness. But he didn't look at you, didn't smile, didn't comment.He just stood up, put on his jacket, and headed for the door.

On his way out, he said casually, as if the conversation hadn't had any effect:

"I'm going out for a bit."

He then left so you wouldn't see how embarrassed he was by his answer, as if he'd revealed a small part of his love for you.

As for you? You stayed where you were, as if trying to process what he'd just said.You touched your heart, embarrassed by your trembling,You buried your face in your hands, and sank into your bed, laughing out of shyness, tossing and turning with embarrassment and joy.