The golden light of the afternoon had long since faded, replaced by the harsh, flickering neon of the city as Serena Montgomery led Liam Livingston away from the suffocating atmosphere of her parents' home. Her grip on his hand was tight, her knuckles white with a mixture of fury and despair. They walked in a heavy, pressurized silence until they reached a secluded alcove near the gates of the residential complex.
Only then did Serena finally release him. She collapsed against the brick wall, sliding down until she was crouching on the pavement, her head buried in her knees as jagged, heart-wrenching sobs tore through her.
Liam stood over her, his heart a turbulent storm of conflicting emotions. He reached out, his hand hovering inches from her shoulder before he pulled it back, feeling
