The island was quiet that evening, too quiet—like the world was holding its breath.
Fiona sat alone on the cliffside bench, knees pulled close, her fingers trembling as she wiped away silent tears. The ocean wind stung her cheeks, mixing saltwater with her sadness.
She didn't hear footsteps behind her.
She didn't have to.
Her heart knew.
Liam stopped several steps away, staring at her like she was the only thing keeping him alive. The sight of her crying shattered something inside him—something already cracked from the moment she disappeared.
He had seen her strong.He had seen her angry.But seeing her cry… destroyed him.
"Fiona," he whispered.
She stiffened but didn't turn. Another tear slid down her cheek, and Liam felt it like a blade across his ribs.
Slowly, carefully, he walked closer and sat beside her—far enough to respect her, close enough to touch if she asked.
"What happened?" he asked, voice rough.
Fiona didn't answer.
Her shoulders shook once, a small tremor she tried to hide.
Liam exhaled sharply, controlling the urge to pull her into his arms. "Who hurt you?" he whispered. "Tell me, and I'll—"
"No one hurt me," she whispered back, staring at the sea. "I'm just… tired."
He swallowed hard.
She wasn't talking about her body.
She was tired of hope.Tired of betrayal.Tired of being wanted only when convenient.
Liam's chest tightened painfully.
"I'm here now," he murmured. "I won't let you be alone again."
Fiona looked down at her hands, fingers twisting together. "You say that," she said softly, "but you left me too."
Liam froze.
Those words hit deeper than any wound.
"I didn't choose Grace," he whispered, voice breaking. "I chose a child. John's child. I thought you were strong enough to wait."He shook his head painfully. "But I didn't realize… you were the one who needed saving."
A tear fell from Fiona's eye.
Liam closed his own, jaw tightening. "I'm sorry."Each word was ragged, raw. "I'm so damn sorry, Fiona."
For the first time, Fiona looked at him—eyes red, tired, wounded.
And Liam felt his heart bleed.
He reached out slowly. "Please don't cry alone anymore."
Fiona didn't take his hand.
But… she didn't pull away either.
A small beginning.
A fragile thread.
A hope.
Meanwhile — In the Smith Mansion
The hallways echoed with the cold click of heels and sharp breaths.
Grace stood outside the study room, hands shaking as she held the divorce papers. Her eyes were puffy, mascara smeared. Her world had collapsed in a single sentence the doctor spoke:
"You can't conceive. This pregnancy was never viable."
John stood opposite her, eyes empty. He looked older, defeated, tired in a way that went beyond exhaustion.
"Just sign it," Grace whispered, voice cracking. "You don't want me anymore anyway."
John didn't respond.
He took the pen, stared at the papers for a moment, and finally signed.
A clean signature.A clean ending.A broken family.
"So this is it?" Grace said, tears spilling. "Years together and you don't even look at me?"
John lifted his gaze, expression rigid. "You lied to me, Grace. You made me believe that baby was mine. You used that lie to force your place in this family."
Grace covered her mouth, choking on sobs.
John closed his eyes, whispering, "I can forgive mistakes… but not betrayal."
She collapsed to the floor, crying in her palms as the papers fluttered.
John walked away without turning back.
The marriage was over.
So were the lies.
So was the illusion.
Back on the Island
The wind grew colder around Liam and Fiona.
Fiona wiped the last tear from her cheek. Liam watched her with a tenderness he had never shown anyone—raw, vulnerable, desperate.
"Fiona," he said quietly. "Give me another chance."
She looked into his eyes—searching, hesitant.
"We'll see," she whispered.
It wasn't a yes.It wasn't a no.
It was an opening.
For Liam, it felt like breathing again after drowning.
And for Fiona, it felt like the first moment she wasn't completely alone.