Chapter 545

Liam Sullivan's breath hitched.

He hadn't expected Vivian Bennett to be so proactive.

She was usually reserved.

Even during their most intimate moments, he was always the one to initiate closeness.

But now she was holding him tightly.

Her arms wrapped around his waist.

The strength of her grip surprised him.

"What's wrong?" he asked softly, his palm stroking her back.

Vivian didn't answer.

She buried her face in his chest.

Her body trembled slightly.

Liam sensed something was off.

He cupped her face, lifting it gently.

Only then did he see her eyes.

They were red.

Her eyelashes were damp.

As if she had been crying.

"Vivian?" His voice grew serious. "What happened?"

Vivian shook her head.

She hugged him again.

Her voice was muffled. "Don't go."

Liam was taken aback.

He felt her unease.

It was intense.

Almost overflowing from her.

"I'm right here," he said gently. "I'm not going anywhere."

Vivian looked up.

Her eyes met his directly.

"Promise me," she said. "Never leave me."

Liam's heart melted.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"I promise."

But Vivian seemed not to hear.

She repeated, "Promise me you won't abandon me. Don't betray me."

Liam took her hand.

"How could I?" he whispered. "You're the most important person to me."

A flicker of pain crossed Vivian's eyes.

She leaned back into his embrace.

"I saw my cousin today."

Liam's brow furrowed slightly.

"What about her?"

Vivian's voice was soft. "Jason Harper came to see her."

Liam's eyes turned cold.

"What does he want now?"

"He got down on his knees and begged her," Vivian said. "Said he knows he was wrong. Wants to start over."

Liam was silent for a moment.

"Did your cousin agree?"

Vivian nodded.

"She said... she wants to give him another chance."

Liam's lips pressed into a thin line.

He understood what Vivian was worried about.

Jason Harper.

That man could never change.

"Did you try to talk her out of it?" he asked.

"I did," Vivian's voice was hoarse. "But she wouldn't listen."

Liam held her tighter.

"It's her choice."

Vivian closed her eyes.

"I know."

But she was afraid.

Afraid her cousin would get hurt again.

Afraid of things she couldn't control.

"Liam," she whispered. "Sometimes I feel... so uneasy."

Liam looked down at her.

"Uneasy about what?"

"I don't know," Vivian shook her head. "I just feel... like something bad is going to happen."

Liam's heart clenched.

He remembered her tears earlier.

"Is it because of your cousin?"

Vivian didn't answer.

She just held him tighter.

"Don't leave me," she said again.

Liam kissed the top of her head.

"I won't."

He said it with conviction.

But Vivian still felt an emptiness inside.

The unease coiled around her like vines.

Making it hard to breathe.

"Liam," she suddenly spoke. "If... if one day I do something that makes you angry, will you forgive me?"

Liam paused.

"What would you do to make me angry?"

Vivian shook her head.

"I'm just asking."

Liam thought for a moment.

"That depends on what it is."

Vivian's heart sank.

"What if... it's something very serious?"

Liam looked at her.

His gaze was deep.

"How serious?"

Vivian couldn't say.

She just looked at him.

Tears glistened in her eyes.

Liam sighed.

He pulled her into his arms.

"Don't overthink things," he said. "No matter what happens, I'll be by your side."

Vivian rested against his chest.

Listening to his steady heartbeat.

But the unease inside her didn't fade.

It only grew stronger.

She remembered how her cousin looked today.

Remembered Jason Harper's hypocritical face.

Remembered the future she couldn't control.

"Liam," she whispered. "I love you."

Liam's body stiffened slightly.

He looked down at her.

"What did you say?"

Vivian lifted her head.

Her eyes were bright.

"I love you."

Liam's heart skipped a beat.

He looked at her.

For a long time.

Then he leaned down and kissed her.

The kiss was gentle.

So gentle it made Vivian want to cry.

She kissed him back.

Her arms wrapped around his neck.

As if clinging to a lifeline.

Liam felt her trembling.

He pulled back.

"Vivian," his voice was rough. "What's really going on with you today?"

Vivian shook her head.

"Nothing."

She nestled back into his embrace.

"I just suddenly wanted to tell you."

Liam held her close.

"I love you too," he said. "So very much."

Vivian closed her eyes.

A tear slid from the corner of her eye.

She hoped these words were true.

Hoped this love would never change.

Hoped the things she feared.

Would never happen.

But she knew.

Some things.

Couldn't be changed just because she wished for it.

Like her cousin's choice.

Like the unease in her heart.

Like the future she couldn't foresee.

All she could do was hold this person tightly.

Hold onto this moment of warmth.

"Liam," she whispered. "Promise me, no matter what happens, don't hate me."

Liam frowned.

"How could I ever hate you?"

Vivian didn't answer.

She just held him.

Held him so tightly.

As if trying to merge into his very being.

Liam sensed her unusual behavior.

But he didn't press further.

He simply patted her back gently.

As if comforting a frightened child.

"Don't be afraid," he said. "I'm here."

Vivian nodded.

But the fear in her heart didn't lessen.

She remembered her cousin's retreating figure today.

So resolute.

So determined.

Just like her in the past.

Knowing full well there was a cliff ahead.

Yet still jumping off.

"Liam," she suddenly said. "If one day... I have to leave you, will you wait for me?"

Liam's body froze.

He released her.

Looked into her eyes.

"You want to leave me?"

Vivian shook her head.

"I'm just saying if."

Liam's expression darkened.

"There is no if," he said. "I won't let you leave."

Vivian looked at him.

Looked into those deep eyes.

Filled with determination.

She suddenly smiled.

A bitter smile.

"Okay," she said. "I won't leave."

Liam finally relaxed.

He hugged her again.

"Stop overthinking," he said. "We'll be together always."

Vivian leaned against him.

Didn't speak.

She just closed her eyes.

Feeling his warmth.

Feeling this moment of peace.

But she knew.

This peace wouldn't last long.

The things she feared.

Would come eventually.

All she could hope.

Was that when that day arrived.

He would still remember today's promise.

Would still remember.

That he loved her.