They stayed locked in that embrace for a long, long time.
Neither of them said a word. They didn't need to. The silence between them was heavy with meaning—grief, longing, and an unspoken reluctance to let go.
Because they both knew… this might be the last time.
The divorce was looming. Final. Inevitable.
And perhaps because of that, they had become unusually indulgent with each other. Neither pushed the other away. Neither reminded the other that they would soon be walking separate paths.
Ava had made up her mind—she was going to end it. But that didn't stop her from craving the warmth of Liam's arms. His scent. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek.
She was addicted to him. To this moment.
Just one more minute. One more breath.
Liam held her gently, his strong arms wrapped around her with infinite tenderness, as though she were made of porcelain and he was terrified of breaking her.
Neither moved. Neither spoke.
