Episode 4: The Broken Past

The atmosphere in the café shifted as Liam took another step toward the table. Ava could feel the coldness of his presence, as if it reached beyond the physical distance between them. Every part of her wanted to turn away, to flee from the memories that his presence stirred. But she couldn't, not now. Not when there were so many questions that needed answers.

Noah stood up, his jaw clenched tightly. "What do you want, Liam?"

Liam's gaze never left Ava's face as he slowly walked to the counter, ordered a drink, and then returned to stand across from them, leaning casually against the edge of the table. "I didn't mean to interrupt," he said, his voice smooth, almost too calm. "But it seems I'm always a part of the bigger picture, don't I?"

Ava's breath caught in her throat, and she felt her stomach twist. The arrogance in his voice was the same as it had been when they were together. The same arrogance that had once made her feel small and insignificant. The same arrogance that had led to their painful breakup. She forced herself to look at him.

"No, Liam," she said, her voice shaky but determined. "You're not part of anything anymore."

Liam smirked, his eyes flicking over to Noah before returning to Ava. "Is that so? Because I've been following your little love story from the sidelines. It's cute, really. But you know, sometimes, things aren't as they seem."

Noah stepped forward, his eyes flashing with irritation. "What's your game, Liam? Why are you here?"

Liam's smirk widened, but there was something colder in his expression now. "I'm here because I know something you don't. Something about Ava. Something you won't believe, even if she tells you."

Ava's pulse quickened. What was he talking about? What could he possibly know about her that Noah didn't?

Liam leaned in closer, his voice low and almost whispering. "You see, Ava… not everything you think you know is the truth. And if you're not careful, you might just find yourself in deeper trouble than you realize."

Ava shook her head, trying to make sense of the words, but they didn't fit. Liam's cryptic warnings were always dangerous, always manipulative, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something about his presence in this moment wasn't just a coincidence. He wasn't here by chance.

Noah looked at Ava, his eyes searching her face for any sign of recognition, of fear. She could feel the weight of his stare, the silent question lingering in the air between them. Was there something she wasn't telling him? Was there something in her past that could change everything?

But Ava couldn't answer. Not now. She didn't have the words. She didn't even know where to start.

Liam straightened up, glancing between the two of them with a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "I'll let you two figure this out," he said, his tone mockingly sweet. "But just remember, the truth always has a way of coming out."

As quickly as he had appeared, Liam walked out of the café, leaving Ava and Noah in a thick cloud of uncertainty. The tension lingered, the unanswered questions heavy in the air.

Noah turned to Ava, his expression softened but his eyes were clouded with concern. "Ava, what did he mean by that? What is he talking about?"

Ava opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. Her mind was racing, her heart pounding in her chest. The past was coming back to haunt her, and she couldn't control it. She had always tried to move forward, to leave the pain behind, but Liam's words were like a poison that slowly spread, threatening to destroy everything.

"I—I don't know," she finally whispered, her voice cracking. "But I can't let him tear us apart, Noah. I won't let him."

Noah reached across the table, taking her hand gently in his. His touch was warm, comforting, but Ava could feel the distance growing between them. There were too many things left unsaid, too many secrets lingering in the air.

But in that moment, Noah made a silent promise. He would protect her. He would stand by her. Even if it meant facing whatever darkness Liam was threatening to unleash.