Ella's POV
He knelt again, this time almost collapsing in front of me, his hands cupping mine with more urgency.
"Ella… please. Believe me. I don't want to ruin this. Don't you trust me?"
His voice cracked on that last sentence.
And somehow, that made my entire world feel even shakier.
I looked away as quietly as I could, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. My voice still trembled when I finally spoke.
"Trust is gained, Liam. It's something earned, not something you automatically get just because you want it. And right now… I'm not sure if I trust you at all."
For a moment, everything froze: his expression, the air between us, even my own breathing.
Then Liam clicked his tongue and pushed himself to his feet, frustration radiating off him like heat.
"Dammit," he muttered under his breath before yanking his phone out of his pocket. "You know what? Fine. Let's put an end to this."
My heart jumped painfully. Suddenly, I felt fear.
