“Thanks, Presley,” I say quietly.
She nods once. “Don’t thank me yet. Stay smart. Stay steady. Keep calling and texting. Keep showing up, even from here.”
I swallow. “I fucking hate this.”
“I know,” she says, voice softening. “But love isn’t convenient. And family doesn’t come with a clean playbook.”
She pauses.
“Also,” she adds, eyes narrowing, “if Aaron is forcing these lies, there’s a reason. And reasons leave footprints.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Presley says, voice low, “liars always slip. We just need to catch him.”
I forced myself to eat something, even though my stomach wanted to protest.
I smile and nod. Pretending to be engaged with my teammates. But underneath it all, there’s something simmering and anchoring to my chest.
I’m not gonna let Aaron take this from me again. Not Sera. Not Alie. Not the future we are building.
When I get back to my room, I try calling her again, and this time, she answers.
“Hey.” Her voice is cautious.
Relief hits hard, and my shoulders finally relax.
“Hey,” I say, softer than I feel. “You okay?”
A pause.
“I’m … not sure.”
My chest tightens again. “Alie?—”
“Liam, I—” she says at the same time. “I’m really tired tonight.”
“Okay, yeah. Me too.” I try to keep my voice calm, forcing my frustration down. “I just wanted to say good night to you and Sera.”
She sighs. “I’m sorry. She fell asleep early tonight.”
Disappointment washes over me.
“Oh, okay. Can you give her a kiss for me and tell her I love her?”
“I will, and I’ll tell her when she wakes up.”
I clear my throat.
“I also want to remind you that Aaron is lying to you. He’s trying to create doubt because he knows we can build something real.”
“You can’t really know what Aaron is thinking, Liam,” she says, defensive.
“I can.” My voice is firm. “Because he has everything to lose now. He loses his access. His influence. His place in your life.”
Silence.
“I don’t want this to become messy,” Alie whispers.
