Chapter 117

EMILIA

Liam sighs behind me, low and fond. “Do you ever listen when I tell you to stay put?”

I swipe at my face before turning around, hoping I don’t look as emotional as I feel. “I’m sorry. I tried,” I say with a half-hearted smile. “I really did.”

The moment he sees my face, his teasing drops away. He steps in close, one hand cradling my cheek, his thumb brushing just beneath my eye.

“Hey,” he says softly, brows pulling together. “Why are you apologizing?”

His eyes search mine, and I feel the air still between us.

“And why are your eyes red?” he adds, his voice quieter now, more careful. Like he’s afraid of the answer.

I shake my head before I can think too hard about it. He’s holding gift bags in one hand and draped over the crook of his other arm is the black dress—the one he made me try on weeks ago. I never took it home.

My voice comes out sharper than I mean it to. “You got me more stuff?”

The worry in his eyes doesn’t fad