“Time to come up with more reasons we can’t be together?”Liam drained the whisky in one burning gulp.“I’m tired of battling for someone who doesn’t want to be fought for.”
Niall nodded.“And the family?They’re good people, and they care about you.”
“Yeah.They are.The best I’ve ever known.”Liam’s voice softened.“But I can’t stay unless she accepts me.It’s not fair to anyone, and it’s only going to get more painful.”
“Have you told them you’re leaving?”
“I will.But I need to ask them not to tell Sienna until after I’m gone.”
Niall’s brows rose.“Why?”
“Because if she knows, she’ll either try to stop me out of guilt or be relieved I’m going.Either way, it makes it harder.”
Niall pulled out his phone, already scrolling through airline websites.“There’s a red-eye flight tonight that connects through London.Gets you to Auckland tomorrow evening, local time.”
“Perfect.Book it.”
“Done.”Niall looked up from his phone.“Suzie and I will drive you to the airport.”
“Thank you for everything.”Liam headed for the door.“And Niall?Help them take Saber’s offer when they’re ready.They deserve a fresh start.”
“Of course.But you could still change your mind.”
“No.I couldn’t survive going through this again.”
For the next few hours, Liam sought each family member individually.He found Hedrek first, walking alone in the rose garden, his leonine features serene in the afternoon light.
“Hedrek, could I have a word?”
The older man turned, and his expression immediately grew concerned.“Of course, lad.What’s troubling you?”
“I’m leaving tonight.Going back to New Zealand.”
Hedrek’s face went blank.“I see.And Sienna?”
“Doesn’t know.Please don’t tell her until after I’m gone.”
“Lad—”
“Please.”Liam swallowed hard.“She’s made it clear she doesn’t want what I’m offering.If she knows I’m leaving, she’ll either feel guilty or relieved, and I can’t handle either reaction.”
After a long assessing look, Hedrek finally nodded.“If that’s what you need.”
“It is.But I wanted to thank you for welcoming me and treating me like family, for showing me what that even means.”
Hedrek’s gaze brightened with emotion.“You’ll always be family to us, lad.Distance doesn’t change that.”
They embraced briefly, and Liam had to swallow hard against the lump in his throat.
He found Tamsin in the kitchen, helping Mrs.Fraser with dinner preparations.When he asked for a private word, she followed him to the small pantry, her brow furrowed.
“You’re leaving,” she said before he could speak.It wasn’t a question.
“How did you—”
“You have the same look Sienna had when she came back from the gathering.Like someone who’d made a hard decision they didn’t want to make.Does she know?”
“No.And I need you to promise not to tell her.”
