Chapter 111. Cracking Open the Past

2024

Amelia’s POV

My stomach dropped at Liam’s question, my brain scrambling for a response.

I ended up forcing myself to nod, keeping my expression neutral. “Yeah.”

Liam just hummed in acknowledgment, not pushing further. Relief crashed over me because it didn’t look like he knew anything about my past yet but it was quickly drowned out by the next thing he said.

“Lila’s death wrecked me,” Liam said, his voice low. “But Adrian, he didn’t just lose her. He lost himself.”

I frowned, but before I could ask what he meant, he let out a sharp breath.

“He was in an accident right after,” he admitted.

My stomach dropped. “What?”

Liam nodded, rubbing a hand over his face. “It was bad. Really bad. He was in and out of physical therapy for a year. Had to defer a year of college.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “And then the drinking started. Everything just…spiraled.”

I gaped at him, my mind scrambling to make sense