Part 4

The next morning, Tanya woke up first, the early sunlight casting a soft glow over the room. She turned to see Liam's peaceful, sleeping face, his breaths slow and steady. Smiling to herself, she gently caressed his cheek, her fingers lightly tracing his jawline, careful not to wake him.

Liam eventually stirred and woke to the sound of water running. Realizing Tanya was in the shower, he knocked lightly on the door. "Do you want some breakfast? I can grab something while you're busy."

The door cracked open, and there stood Tanya, wrapped in a towel, her damp hair falling in waves over her shoulders. "Oh, um, yeah, please!" she said, her voice sweet and soft.

Liam leaned in, giving her a quick kiss. "I'll be right back."

She blushed, her lips curling into a shy smile. "Okay!"

Liam returned about twenty minutes later, holding a bag with their breakfast. As he stepped inside, he found Tanya sitting on the edge of the bed, drying her hair, still wrapped in her towel.

"I got us breakfast sandwiches!" he said, holding up the bag with a grin.

Her eyes lit up as she clapped her hands together. "Yay! Thank you, babe!"

Tanya quickly dressed before joining him at the small table to eat. As they unwrapped their sandwiches, Liam looked over at her, "You got any plans today?"

She took a bite, smiling at him as she chewed. "Actually, I was thinking about going to the beach today. You coming with?"

"Of course!" he said with a playful grin. "No pictures this time, I promise."

She giggled, shaking her head. "You can take videos of me at the beach if you want."

Liam raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair, flashing her a teasing smile. "Only if you promise to show off your best moves for me."

Tanya blushed, hiding her smile behind her hand. "You bet!"

The day was still young as Liam and Tanya strolled down the quiet boardwalk, the beach empty and tranquil in the early morning light. Liam glanced at Tanya, catching a glimpse of the bikini under her dress, and couldn't help but smile at how effortlessly cute she looked. He shook his head, finding it hard to believe how lucky he was to be spending this time with her again.

Once they reached a good spot, they set up their parasol and settled underneath. Tanya, with a teasing smile, slipped off her dress, revealing the bikini that had Liam blushing. She struck a playful pose for him before dashing off towards the water.

Not wanting to miss out, Liam quickly pulled off his shirt and ran to join her in the beach. They splashed each other, both laughing as they playfully fought the waves. Every splash, every laugh felt like a slice of their childhood had returned, but with a new layer of intimacy between them.

When they finally emerged from the water, soaked but grinning, Liam watched as Tanya began performing for him, just like in her social media posts. She danced seductively, the sun casting a golden glow on her caramel skin. At one point, she even managed to pull off a split, leaving Liam wide-eyed and impressed.

"That's new," he said, barely able to contain his surprise as he filmed her.

Tanya smirked, finishing her impromptu performance, then plopped down under the parasol beside him, panting heavily.

Liam handed her a bottle of water, his voice gentle. "Take it easy. It's still summer—stay hydrated!"

She nodded, accepting the bottle and taking long, refreshing sips. While she drank, Liam scrolled through the footage he had just taken, admiring her playful energy. But something tugged at him. He turned to her, his expression shifting from playful to curious.

"Hey… uh… can I ask you something?" he began, his tone more serious now.

"Sure, what is it?" Tanya asked, looking up at him.

Liam hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. "Why did you come back to town? I thought you were going to film a video for social media. But we've been hanging out these past few days instead. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with you, but... is there something else going on?"

Tanya averted her eyes, fidgeting with the cap of her water bottle. "I did come back to make a video," she admitted softly. "But when I saw you, I put that project aside. I wanted to be with you. I missed you."

Liam's heart swelled at her confession. "I missed you too," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her gently.

Their kiss deepened, Tanya's arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled him closer. In a sudden burst of playfulness, she climbed on top of him, straddling his lap under the parasol. "I want you, babe!" she declared with a sense of desperation in her voice.

Liam's eyes widened in panic as he glanced around nervously. "Not here! Someone could see us!" he protested, his voice barely above a whisper.

But Tanya pouted, leaning closer. "But I want you now, right here!" she insisted.

After one more glance around the beach to make sure it was still empty, Liam sighed and gave in, wrapping them both in a large beach towel for some privacy. Their lips met again, and soon they were lost in each other, the rest of the world fading away for those few stolen moments.

When their impromptu love making session finally ended, they lay together under the towel, Tanya resting her head against his chest, her breathing soft and content. Liam, though, couldn't shake a growing unease. He held her close, enjoying the warmth of the moment, but his mind was filled with questions. This sudden reunion, this whirlwind of emotion—it all felt amazing, but also fragile.

She had been gone for years, and now she was back, rekindling something they never fully explored in the past. Why now? Why like this? He pushed the thoughts aside for now, deciding that if something deeper was going on, Tanya would tell him when she was ready.

For now, he was content to just hold her, savoring the feeling of having her close, even if time was ticking away.

Once they had enough of the sun and the sea, Liam and Tanya packed up their belongings and headed back to his house. As soon as they arrived, they decided to print out the pictures Liam had taken throughout the day. Tanya watched eagerly as the photos rolled out of the printer, each one capturing her playful spirit, the warm sunlight, and the carefree moments they had shared.

Liam handed her the freshly printed photos, and together they started walking through town, Tanya flipping through the images with a smile on her face. But suddenly, she stopped in her tracks, her body trembling. Liam, a few steps ahead, noticed and turned around.

"What's up? You okay?" he asked, concern filling his voice.

Tanya faced him, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice broke as she whispered, "I-I can't do this anymore."

Liam's heart sank. "What do you mean?" he asked, stepping closer.

She shook her head, tears falling faster. "I'm so sorry, babe."

Without hesitation, Liam rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her as tightly as he could. "Hey, what's wrong? Talk to me," he urged gently, his voice soft, trying to steady her.

But Tanya couldn't speak. She just buried her face against his chest, her shoulders shaking as she cried uncontrollably. The intensity of her sobs tore at Liam's heart. He didn't know what was happening, but he could feel her pain so vividly. His mind raced with questions, but for now, all he could do was hold her, trying to soothe her with gentle whispers.

After a few minutes, he led her back to his house, determined to get to the bottom of what was breaking her down. They sat on the couch, her tears finally beginning to slow. Liam kept his arm around her, waiting patiently until she was ready to speak.

Finally, she took a deep, shuddering breath and whispered, "I'm getting married."

Liam blinked, the words hitting him like a punch to the gut. "What?" he asked in shock, his voice barely above a whisper. He pulled back slightly to look at her, his mind struggling to process what she had just said. "You're… getting married?"

Tanya nodded, wiping away a tear. "Yes. That's right."

Liam's world seemed to tilt, and suddenly, everything made sense. The unexpected visit, the sudden whirlwind of emotions, the intensity between them—it wasn't just about rekindling an old flame. It was about something deeper, something that had been eating away at her.

"So… you came here to finish something? To be with me before… before you tie the knot?" Liam asked, his voice thick with the weight of realization.

Tanya's eyes filled with tears again as she nodded. "Yes. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I had to. I had to know… I had to have this moment with you before it was too late," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Liam felt like his heart was breaking in two, but he swallowed his pain and held her tighter, brushing his hand through her hair. "It's okay," he whispered, though his throat tightened. "It's going to be okay."

In truth, it wasn't okay. It hurt. He wanted to cry, to scream, to ask her why she hadn't told him sooner. But seeing how broken she was, how guilty and torn, Liam knew he had to be strong. For her. He could fall apart later, when he was alone. But right now, she needed him.

They stayed like that for a long time, her crying quietly into his chest while he stroked her hair, murmuring comforting words he barely believed himself. It wasn't until her sobs had faded, and her breathing steadied, that she finally pulled back to look at him, her eyes red and puffy from crying.

"I'm so sorry for lying to you," she whispered, her voice fragile.

Liam smiled softly, wiping away a tear from her cheek. "I'm glad you told me," he said, his voice gentle and full of understanding. He could see the regret in her eyes, the pain she had carried alone, and despite everything, he couldn't help but still care for her deeply.

"Thank you for understanding," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

He pulled her close again, resting his chin on her head. "Let's make the most of our time together," Liam said, his voice both firm and soft.

Tanya nodded slowly, a small, grateful smile pulling at her lips. Despite the storm of emotions between them, for a moment, they found solace in each other's arms. Three days left. They are determined to make those days count, even though both of them knew the heartache that lay ahead. But for now, they could hold on to each other and pretend, just for a little while longer, that this moment was all that mattered.

That night, Tanya decided she didn't want to return to her hotel. Something about being with Liam felt too comforting to leave behind. They settled on the couch, watching a romantic comedy, something they had never done together before. As the movie played, Tanya's eyelids grew heavy, and before long, she was fast asleep, her head resting on Liam's lap.

Liam glanced down at her peaceful face, his heart full of emotions he couldn't quite put into words. Carefully, so as not to wake her, he picked her up and carried her to his bed. He laid her down gently, pulling the blanket over her before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. As he looked down at her, he couldn't help but think about the limited time they had left—just three more days until she'd have to leave him behind.

The next morning, Tanya woke up feeling more rested than she had in days. Wrapped in the comfort of his bed, she lazily stretched before slipping into Liam's robe. The scent of breakfast cooking filled the air, and she wandered into the kitchen to find him preparing a meal. His eyes lit up when he saw her wearing his robe.

"Good morning, beautiful," he said with a warm smile.

She blushed softly under his gaze. "Good morning."

"Bacon and eggs?" he offered, raising an eyebrow playfully.

"Yes, please," she answered, smiling as she watched him move about the kitchen. There was an ease between them now, no more pretense, no more hiding.

They sat down to eat, the sound of forks on plates the only noise breaking the silence. Everything was out in the open now—they both understood what this time meant, what this week was. Despite the tangled feelings between them, they had agreed silently to let go of the heaviness and just enjoy these final days together. No more questions, no more regrets—just love, as much as they could give, in the time they had left.

After breakfast, they decided to go for a walk in the park. The morning was crisp, with the sun filtering through the trees. The leaves crunched underfoot as they strolled hand-in-hand, a peaceful quiet between them.

"By the way," Liam asked, breaking the silence, "how are your mom and dad? I haven't seen them since you guys left."

"They're doing well," Tanya answered with a small smile. "They asked about you the last time I spoke to them."

"Did you tell them you're here?" Liam asked, a curious tilt in his voice.

She shook her head. "No, I didn't. They have no idea I'm here."

"I guess this is our little secret then," he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

She nodded, her smile widening. They walked a bit more in silence, just enjoying each other's company. The ease between them felt like old times—like nothing had changed, even though so much had.

Liam turned to her, eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, what do you want to do today?"

Tanya paused, thinking for a moment before her face lit up. "How about we go shopping?"

Liam grinned, sensing her excitement. "To the mall then!" he exclaimed, playfully pulling her along as they headed back to the car.

They drove off, laughing and singing along to the radio, both determined to fill their remaining days with joy and lightness. No matter what awaited them at the end of this week, for now, they were together, and that was all that mattered.

At the mall, Tanya wandered through the stores with a certain carefree energy. She picked out a few expensive items—a designer purse, some clothes, and a few trinkets to take back home. Liam admired how confidently she moved from one shop to the next, but he couldn't help but offer, "Hey, let me buy you something. It's the least I can do."

Tanya immediately protested, shaking her head. "No way, I've got it. You don't need to spend anything on me."

He laughed softly, watching her, but deep down, he was thinking about how he could do something special for her, something that would make this fleeting time together even more memorable.

As they strolled hand in hand through the mall, Liam kept glancing at her, his mind racing for an idea. He wanted to give her something more than just memories—something tangible, something that could last beyond these few days. But he didn't want to make a big fuss over it.

Suddenly, Tanya stopped and looked at him with a sheepish grin. "I need to use the bathroom. Be right back!" she said, dashing off in the direction of the nearest restroom.

As soon as she disappeared, an idea popped into Liam's mind. Without wasting time, he quickly snuck away, heading straight for the store he had in mind. He knew exactly what he wanted to get her—something that she could wear every day, something subtle yet meaningful. He hurried through the purchase and rushed back to their meeting spot just in time.

Moments later, Tanya emerged from the bathroom, looking refreshed. She didn't seem to notice that Liam had slipped away. "Ready to head back?" she asked with a tired smile.

He nodded. "Yeah, let's get you home."

As they walked back to the car, Tanya leaned against him, her energy waning after their long day of shopping. Liam held her close, his heart racing with excitement over the surprise he had hidden away. But he didn't say anything—he would wait for the perfect moment to give it to her.

That evening, they sat on the couch, wrapped in a warm blanket, watching old home movies. The grainy footage flickered on the screen, showing scenes of their childhood—birthday parties, school plays, and lazy summer days. Tanya rested her head against Liam's shoulder, laughing softly as they watched their younger selves, carefree and innocent. But as the moments played out, the laughter gave way to a deeper, unspoken emotion. They both felt the weight of time passing, the inevitability of change hanging heavy in the room.

Tanya's eyes glistened with unshed tears, and when she eventually drifted off to sleep, Liam carefully turned off the TV, kissed her forehead, and carried her to his bed. He tucked the blanket around her, watching as her chest rose and fell softly with each breath.

He couldn't sleep. Not tonight.

Liam quietly slipped out of the house and drove to the beach, the same beach where they had spent days laughing and playing. But now, under the dark sky, it felt entirely different. The waves crashed against the shore with a rhythmic roar, but instead of soothing him, they amplified the turmoil in his heart. He sat down on the cool sand, hugging his knees to his chest, staring out at the endless ocean.

He couldn't hold back anymore.

Tears streamed down his face as he let himself feel the full weight of everything—of loving her for all these years, of the precious days they'd spent together, and the bitter truth that she was marrying someone else. Someone he didn't know. Someone he didn't trust to love her the way she deserved. His mind spun with questions that gnawed at him, questions he knew would never be answered.

"Will he treat her right? Will he make her happy?"

The thoughts felt like knives, twisting deeper into his chest. It felt like a cruel punishment, as if the universe was reminding him of the mistakes he made in the past, mistakes that were now costing him the one person he had always loved. He wondered if there was something he could've done differently, some way to have changed the course of their story. But it was too late now.

He sat there for what felt like hours, letting the tears fall until there was nothing left. The ocean continued its endless rhythm, indifferent to his pain. Eventually, the exhaustion overtook him, and he stood up, wiping his face before heading back to the house.

When he returned, Tanya was still fast asleep, her body curled up peacefully under the blankets. Liam crawled into bed beside her, pulling her close, breathing in her scent, and trying to savor every last moment they had left. He held her gently, his mind filled with the bittersweet reality that she had only two more days with him. Two more days before she would be gone forever, slipping away into a life that no longer included him.

But for now, in this quiet, stolen moment, she was still his. At least for a little while longer.