Chapter Twenty-One: Liam’s Heartache

The soft hum of the ocean filled the quiet streets of Haven Cove as the early morning mist rolled in. The Blue Harbor Café was still closed, but Camille stood by the window, watching the horizon. She hadn't slept.

Dominic was leaving.

The words echoed in her mind like a cruel joke, except it wasn't a joke. It was happening.

He had come back into her life, torn through every wall she had built, and now, just as quickly, he was walking away. Again.

Her fingers curled against the windowsill. This was what she wanted, wasn't it? She had told him to leave, convinced herself it was for the best. So why did it feel like her chest was being hollowed out from the inside?

A soft rustling behind her made her turn. Liam stood in the doorway, his hair messy from sleep, his eyes still heavy-lidded. But something in his expression made Camille pause.

"Mom…" His voice was hesitant, careful. "Is it true?"

She felt the world tilt slightly. "Is what true?"

Liam swallowed hard, his small hands fisting the hem of his pajama shirt. "Dominic's leaving."

Camille's breath caught. He knew.

"Who told you that?" she asked, forcing her voice to remain steady.

Liam's expression darkened. "I heard you and Isabel talking last night." His voice cracked slightly. "You were saying he's leaving town, that you don't want him here anymore."

Camille shut her eyes briefly. She should have been more careful.

"Liam, listen to me—"

"No!" His voice was sharp, a mix of hurt and anger. "You don't get to do this, Mom. You don't get to decide for me."

Camille's heart clenched. "I was trying to protect you."

"From what?" His hands flung out in frustration. "From knowing my own dad? From being happy?" His voice trembled. "You told me my dad wasn't around because he didn't care. But that's not true, is it?"

Camille felt the weight of his words press against her ribs. She had always feared this moment—the moment he would look at her not as the mother who had protected him, but as the person who had kept something from him.

"I thought I was doing what was right," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam shook his head. "No, Mom. You were doing what was safe."

His words landed like a slap. Camille felt herself struggling to breathe past the lump in her throat.

Liam took a step back. "I have to go."

"Liam—"

But he was already running.

Dominic's Goodbye

The sleek black car was parked by the curb outside his rental house. Nathan leaned against the side of it, arms crossed, watching Dominic with careful eyes.

"You don't have to do this," Nathan said.

Dominic ignored him, stuffing the last of his things into his travel bag. His hands trembled slightly, but he forced himself to keep moving.

"It's done, Nathan." His voice was gruff, exhausted. "Camille doesn't want me here. I'm not going to force my way into her life."

Nathan exhaled sharply. "And Liam?"

Dominic flinched. "I don't have a choice."

A sharp knock on the door made them both turn.

The door swung open, and Liam stood there, his chest rising and falling rapidly from running.

"Are you really leaving?" His voice was small, broken.

Dominic swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay composed. "I have to, kid."

Liam's brows furrowed. "Why?"

"Because your mom—" Dominic hesitated. The last thing he wanted was to turn Liam against Camille. He sighed. "Because I don't think I deserve to stay."

Liam's jaw clenched. "That's stupid."

Nathan coughed to cover up a laugh.

Dominic exhaled through his nose. "Liam…"

"You promised," Liam cut in, his voice fierce. "You said you weren't leaving again."

Dominic went still.

He had said that.

Liam's throat bobbed. "I know you're sick."

Dominic stiffened. "What?"

Liam looked away. "I heard you and Mom talking the other night." His small hands curled into fists. "You're sick, and you're scared, and I get it. But leaving won't fix that."

Dominic felt his chest constrict.

Liam took a shaky breath. "I don't care if you're scared. I don't care if Mom is scared. I want you here. You're my dad."

Something inside Dominic cracked wide open.

For ten years, he had been a ghost in this boy's life. He had missed first steps, first words, birthdays, scraped knees. But right now, none of that mattered. Right now, Liam was looking at him not with resentment, not with hesitation—but with hope.

Dominic knelt down to Liam's level, his hands shaking as he rested them on his son's shoulders. "You don't know how much I want to stay," he said, his voice rough with emotion.

"Then stay," Liam whispered.

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Dominic let out a shaky breath. "I'll try."

It wasn't a promise. But it was something.

And for now, that was enough.