Chapter 62: Unveiling the Past

The aroma of roasted chicken and rosemary filled the air as Ava, Liam, and Nancy finished their dinner. Mia, her eyelids drooping with exhaustion, was excused to go and play quietly in her room. A comfortable silence settled over the adults, a stark contrast to the tension that had hung in the air earlier.Nancy, her initial reservations about Ava seemingly eased, rose from her chair. "Well, Liam, I should get Mia home. It's getting late."Liam nodded, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "Of course, Nancy. Thanks for coming over."As Nancy was gathering Mia's belongings, Sarah arrived, her cheerful presence adding another layer of warmth to the already cozy atmosphere."Well, hello there!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Looks like someone's had a busy day."Ava chuckled, her cheeks flushing slightly. "It's been quite an adventure," she admitted.Sarah's gaze fell on the remnants of their dinner, a satisfied smile curving her lips. "And a delicious one, it seems."She then turned her attention to Nancy, who was saying goodbye to Liam. "Nancy! It's so good to see you again," Sarah said, embracing Liam's sister in a warm hug.Ava watched the exchange with a mix of curiosity and surprise. She hadn't realized that Sarah and Nancy were already acquainted. It seemed that Liam's world was smaller and more interconnected than she had initially thought.Before leaving, Nancy pulled Ava aside, her expression softening. "Ava," she began, her voice gentle, "I just wanted to say... I'm glad Liam has found you."Ava's heart warmed at Nancy's words. It seemed that her initial reservations had been replaced by a genuine acceptance, a recognition of the bond she shared with Liam."Thank you, Nancy," Ava replied, her voice sincere. "That means a lot."Nancy's gaze lingered on Ava, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and concern. "Liam has been through a lot," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "His first love... it broke him. He built walls around his heart, convinced himself that he would never find that kind of happiness again."Ava's curiosity piqued. She had heard whispers of Liam's past heartbreak, but she knew very little about it."I won't hurt him, Nancy," Ava assured her, her gaze unwavering. "I love him."Nancy's lips curved into a gentle smile. "I know you do, Ava. I can see it in your eyes." She squeezed Ava's hand gently. "Just... take care of him. He deserves all the happiness in the world."Ava nodded, her heart swelling with emotion. She watched as Nancy and Mia stepped out into the night, their laughter echoing through the quiet street.Turning back to Liam, she found him watching her with an intensity that made her breath catch. He reached for her hand, his touch sending shivers down her spine."Stay," he pleaded, his voice husky with longing.Ava hesitated. She longed to stay, to be wrapped in his arms, to lose herself in the warmth of his embrace. But a part of her knew it was best to leave, to give them both time to process the whirlwind of emotions that had swept over them."I should go, Liam," she said softly, her voice laced with regret.Liam's expression fell, but he nodded in understanding. "Alright, Ava. I'll see you tomorrow."He walked her to the door, his gaze lingering on her with a tenderness that made her heart ache. As she stepped out into the cool night air, Ava couldn't shake the feeling that she was leaving a part of herself behind.Back in her apartment, the silence felt deafening. She paced the room, her mind replaying the events of the day, the laughter, the confessions, the lingering warmth of Liam's touch.She couldn't shake the curiosity about Liam's past, the heartbreak that had shaped him, the woman who had left such a deep scar on his soul. She needed to know more, to understand the man she loved, to unravel the layers of his past that still haunted him.She reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over Sarah's contact. With a deep breath, she typed out a message:Sarah, are you free to talk? I need to ask you something.Sarah's reply was almost immediate:Sure, Ava. I'll be right over.Fifteen minutes later, Sarah was seated on Ava's couch, a concerned expression on her face. "What's wrong, Ava? You seem troubled."Ava hesitated, unsure how to broach the delicate subject. "Sarah," she began, her voice hesitant, "can you tell me about Liam's first love?"Sarah's face fell. "Ava, I... I don't know if I should."Ava's persistence grew. "Please, Sarah. I need to understand. It's important to me."Sarah, seeing the determination in Ava's eyes, finally relented. "Alright, Ava. But promise me you won't tell Liam I told you this."Ava nodded eagerly. "I promise."Sarah took a deep breath, her gaze turning distant as she delved into the past, unraveling the story of Liam's first love, a story filled with passion, betrayal, and a heartbreak that had shaped the man Ava had come to love.