The silence that settled between them wasn't empty.

It was heavy. Dense. Filled with everything that still needed to be said before the past could finally be laid to rest.

Liam watched her without looking away. There was no judgment in his eyes—only understanding, shaped by pain and time. He took a deep breath, rested his elbows on his knees, and laced his fingers together.

“This is love, Princess…” he said at last, his voice quiet. “Now I know. This is what real love looks like.” He lifted his