Amelia didn't sleep that night.
She tried.
She closed the curtains, turned off the lights, and climbed into bed earlier than usual.
But every time she closed her eyes, she saw Liam standing in the flower shop.
Seven years had passed.
Seven years of believing he had chosen another woman over her.
Seven years of forcing herself to forget his voice, his smile, and the way he used to look at her.
And now he had returned with three words that had turned her entire world upside down.
Someone threatened your life.
Amelia stared at the ceiling.
It made no sense.
Who would want her dead?
She wasn't rich.
She wasn't powerful.
She had never been involved in anything dangerous.
Her life was simple.
Work.
Home.
Her flower shop.
That was it.
So why would anyone threaten her?
She turned onto her side and pulled the blanket closer.
Then another question entered her mind.
Why hadn't Liam told her?
If someone had truly threatened her, why would he allow her to spend seven years believing that he had abandoned her?
She remembered his face before he left the shop.
There had been something in his eyes.
Something she had never seen before.
Fear.
Amelia finally sat up.
She couldn't wait until morning.
She needed answers.
At exactly 9:45 a.m., she left her apartment.
The old oak tree was only fifteen minutes away.
It stood at the edge of a quiet park where she and Liam had spent most of their childhood.
When she arrived, Liam was already there.
He stood beneath the enormous branches, wearing a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows.
For a moment, Amelia simply watched him.
This was the place where they had shared their first kiss.
The place where Liam had once told her that he wanted to marry her.
The place where they had promised that nothing would ever separate them.
Amelia walked closer.
"You said you would tell me everything."
Liam turned.
"I will."
"Then start talking."
He looked toward the empty path.
"I didn't know how to come back."
"You could have started by calling."
"I couldn't."
"Why?"
"Because I was being watched."
Amelia frowned.
"By who?"
"I don't know."
She stared at him.
"You don't know?"
"No."
Liam took a deep breath.
"Seven years ago, I discovered something about my family."
"What?"
"My father was involved in something illegal."
Amelia's expression changed.
"What kind of illegal?"
"Financial crimes. Money laundering. Fraud."
She stared at him.
"And you found out?"
"Yes."
Liam looked down.
"I was planning to report him."
Amelia's eyes widened.
"But before I could, someone found out."
"And they threatened me?"
Liam nodded.
"They knew you were the person I loved most."
Amelia's heart tightened.
"So they used me against you."
"Yes."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
She shook her head.
"This doesn't make sense."
"I know."
"You expect me to believe that you suddenly disappeared because some stranger threatened me?"
"I don't expect you to believe anything."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small envelope.
"I want you to see this."
Amelia hesitated before taking it.
There was no name on the envelope.
She opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Her blood ran cold.
It was a picture of her.
She was standing outside her flower shop.
The photograph had clearly been taken from across the street.
Amelia looked at Liam.
"When was this taken?"
"Three days ago."
Her fingers began trembling.
"I didn't take it."
"I know."
She looked at the photograph again.
Someone had been watching her.
Recently.
Not seven years ago.
Recently.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I needed to make sure you were safe first."
"Safe from who?"
"I don't know yet."
Amelia stepped backward.
"This is crazy."
"I know."
She looked at him.
"Why come back now?"
Liam's expression hardened.
"Because the person who threatened you seven years ago has started moving again."
Silence.
The wind moved through the branches above them.
Amelia suddenly felt exposed.
She looked around the park.
"Are you saying someone is watching me now?"
"Yes."
Her breathing became faster.
"How do you know?"
"Because I've been watching you too."
She looked at him sharply.
"What?"
"Not to hurt you."
"Then why?"
"To protect you."
Amelia laughed bitterly.
"You don't get to protect me after disappearing for seven years."
"I know."
"Do you?"
She stepped closer.
"Do you know what you did to me?"
Liam remained silent.
"I waited for you."
Her voice cracked.
"I waited for months. I thought you would come back."
She wiped away a tear before it could fall.
"Then I waited less. Eventually, I stopped waiting."
Liam's jaw tightened.
"I know."
"No, you don't."
She shook her head.
"You don't know how many times I blamed myself."
"I blamed myself too."
"Then why didn't you come back?"
"Because I thought staying away was the only way to keep you alive."
Amelia stared at him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Liam stepped closer.
"I loved you enough to leave you."
She looked away.
"Don't say that."
"It's the truth."
"No."
She shook her head.
"Love doesn't destroy someone's life and call it protection."
Liam's eyes softened.
"I know."
A phone suddenly rang.
Both of them froze.
It was Amelia's phone.
She looked at the screen.
Unknown Number.
Her stomach tightened.
Liam immediately reached for her hand.
"Don't answer."
But the phone stopped ringing.
A second later, a message appeared.
Amelia opened it.
There was only one sentence.
You should have listened to Liam the first time.
Her face went pale.
Liam took the phone from her.
His expression changed instantly.
"They know you're with me."
Amelia looked around the park.
"We need to leave."
Liam grabbed her hand.
"Stay close to me."
They started walking quickly toward the parking area.
But before they reached the car, Amelia noticed something.
A black car was parked across the street.
The windows were tinted.
She stopped.
"Liam."
He followed her gaze.
The car suddenly started moving.
It disappeared around the corner.
Liam's face became hard.
"They've found us."
Amelia looked at him.
"What do we do now?"
He stared at the road where the car had vanished.
Then he looked back at her.
"You come home with me."
Amelia immediately shook her head.
"No."
"Amelia—"
"I am not going anywhere with you."
"If you stay alone, you're putting yourself in danger."
"I've been alone for seven years."
"And I've spent seven years making sure you survived without me."
She stared at him.
He stepped closer.
"This time, I'm not leaving."
Amelia wanted to argue.
She wanted to tell him that she didn't need him.
But somewhere deep inside, she knew something had changed.
The past was no longer just the past.
Someone was watching her.
Someone knew Liam had returned.
And someone was willing to threaten her again.
She looked at Liam.
"Fine."
His eyes met hers.
"But I'm not forgiving you."
"I don't expect you to."
"And I'm not falling in love with you again."
For the first time that morning, Liam smiled faintly.
"I don't expect that either."
But as they walked toward his car, neither of them noticed the small figure standing behind the trees.
Watching them.
Waiting.
The woman slowly lowered the camera in her hand.
Then she smiled.
"Liam is back."
She pulled out her phone.
"Tell him it's time."
And somewhere across the city, someone answered.
"Finally."