Liam paced the length of his study, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room. The warm glow of the fireplace cast flickering shadows against the walls, but its comfort did nothing to ease the storm brewing within him. His mind raced, torn between disbelief and hope.
The rumors had started as a faint whisper, spoken in the hushed tones of underworld informants and mercenaries. At first, he dismissed them as baseless gossip-cruel tricks played by those who enjoyed stirring up pain. But the whispers grew louder, more frequent, and now they clawed at him like a persistent itch he couldn’t ignore.
“Alive.” That one word had set his entire world tilting.
Across the room, Dandelion sat on the edge of a chair, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She was watching Liam with a mixture of worry and determination, her usually composed demeanor now tinged with unease. She had always been the strong one, the unshakable presence between the siblings. But now, even she seemed rattled.
“Liam, listen to me,” she urged, her voice breaking the heavy silence. “I’ve heard it from too many people to ignore. They’re saying she’s alive.”
Liam stopped pacing and turned to face her, his jaw clenched. “Do you have any idea what you’re saying, Dandelion? Do you know what it means to give me hope like this?” His voice was low but heavy with emotion.
Dandelion’s expression softened, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I know, Liam. I wouldn’t bring this up if I wasn’t sure it was worth investigating.”
He raked a hand through his hair, his frustration and longing tangled in a knot that refused to unravel. The memory of Daisy’s laughter, her fiery spirit, and her unwavering loyalty was a constant ache in his heart. Her absence had hollowed him out, leaving behind a void that no amount of time or distraction could fill.
But if there was even a sliver of a chance that she was alive…
“I can’t lose her again,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
“You won’t,” Dandelion said, her voice steady. “If she’s out there, we’ll find her. I’ll help you. We’ll figure this out together.”
Liam nodded slowly, the faintest flicker of resolve igniting within him. But first, he needed answers-answers only Louis could provide.
—
The engagement party was in full swing when Liam arrived, his mind already set on the confrontation ahead. The banquet hall was a spectacle of opulence, with glittering chandeliers casting a golden glow over the crowd of elites. The air buzzed with laughter and chatter, but Liam barely noticed.
His gaze swept the room until it landed on Louis, standing at the center of attention. Louis looked sharp in his tailored suit, but his expression was tense, his smile forced. Natalie stood beside him, her arm looped through his, radiating confidence and charm.
Liam felt his blood boil. This wasn’t the Louis he knew. This was a man who had abandoned his morals, his family, and Daisy’s memory.
“Louis,” Liam called out, his voice cutting through the noise.
Louis turned, his expression hardening when he saw his brother. “Liam,” he said curtly. “This isn’t the time.”
“No, this is exactly the time,” Liam snapped, striding forward. “What the hell are you doing, Louis? Marrying her? Associating with these people? Have you completely lost your mind?”
The nearby guests began to murmur, their curiosity piqued by the brewing tension. Natalie’s eyes narrowed, her grip on Louis’s arm tightening as if to stake her claim.
Louis exhaled sharply, his patience clearly wearing thin. “You don’t understand, Liam,” he said, his voice low.
“I understand perfectly,” Liam shot back. “You’re destroying everything Daisy stood for. You’re betraying her memory!”
At the mention of Daisy’s name, Louis visibly flinched. For a brief moment, his mask of indifference cracked, revealing the guilt lurking beneath. But he quickly recovered, his expression hardening.
“She’s gone, Liam,” Louis said quietly, the weight of his words heavy in the air. “And she’s not coming back.”
Liam’s fists clenched at his sides. “You’re wrong,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. “She’s alive. I know she is.”
Louis’s eyes widened briefly before narrowing again. “Don’t do this to yourself, Liam. Don’t chase ghosts.”
“Ghosts?” Liam echoed bitterly. “That’s rich coming from you. You’ve given up on her. But I haven’t. And I never will.”
The tension between them was palpable, the air crackling with unspoken pain and resentment. Liam stared at his brother, searching for any sign of the man he once looked up to. But all he saw was a stranger.
Disgusted, Liam turned on his heel and stormed out of the hall. The cool night air hit him as he stepped into the estate gardens, his chest heaving with unspent anger.
“Liam, wait!” Dandelion called, hurrying after him. She grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop.
“This is pointless,” Liam said, his voice raw. “Louis is gone. The man we knew is gone.”
Before Dandelion could respond, Liam’s gaze caught movement in the shadows. He froze, his heart skipping a beat as a figure emerged. She stood still, her posture rigid, her face obscured by a mask. But there was something hauntingly familiar about her presence.
“Daisy?” Liam whispered, his voice breaking.
The figure didn’t respond, but the way she tensed at his words was answer enough.
Liam took a hesitant step forward, his heart pounding. “It’s you, isn’t it? It’s really you.”
Still, she remained silent. Her body shifted as if preparing to retreat.
“Wait!” Liam pleaded, his voice desperate. “Please, don’t go. It’s me, Liam. I’ve been looking for you. We’ve been looking for you.”
Dandelion clutched Liam’s arm, her eyes wide with disbelief. “It’s her,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. “It’s really her.”
But before they could say or do anything else, the figure turned and disappeared into the night, leaving them standing in stunned silence.
Liam’s heart raced, his mind spinning. He turned to Dandelion, his expression a mixture of determination and anguish.
“We’ll find her,” he said firmly, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. “No matter what it takes, we’ll find her.”