Five years ago, Lisa fell in love with Liam Carter, a man who made her believe in forever until he vanished out of trace. Left heartbroken, she rebuilt her life, climbing the corperate New York's most prestigious law firm.But fate has a cruel sense of humor. A chance encounter on the bustling streets of New York brings Liam into her world. He's nolonger just the man she loved but one of the most powerful billionaire in the city.And he wants her back. Liam is determined to right the wrongs of the past, but Lisa isn't ready to forgive. Old wounds resurface, buried secrets threaten to unravel and the spark between them is almost impossible gone.Can she trust the man who once broke her heart or, will history repeat itself?
Chapter 1 The Encounter
New York City was as loud as ever, a chaotic symphony of honking taxis, rushing pedestrians, and the low hum of street vendors calling out pedestrians.It wa the kind of city where everything moved quickly and nothing ever stopped. It was the place l would learn to survive in and somehow, it had became home.
I pushed my way through the crowded streets, coffee cup gripped up tightly in one hand and my briefcase in the other. The firm l worked at was just a few blocks away, but every morning felt like a race against time. With each step,l checked my watch, anxiety bubbling up as l thought about the towering stack of cases awaiting in the office.
The cold breeze tugged at my coat,reminding me that winter was right around the corner, and with it, even longer hours at work. I didn't mind though
I had grown accustomed the grind. After all, my job as a junior lawyer was all l had left. It had taken away everything from.me when l lost him, the one person l thought would always be by my side, but now it was my refuge ,my escape.
I tried not to think about it,tried not to remember the way things used to be,how different everything had been before.
Before Liam.
Five years had passed,and yet the memory if him still clung to me like a shadow refusing to fade. I loved him, loved him with a desperation that had consumed me and yet he had walked away without a word. Without an explanation.
It was painful, but l had learned how to bury the hurt. New York didn't have room for weaknesses, and l couldn't afford to be anything less than strong. Not after everything that had happened.
As l reached the corner of Fifth Avenue,my phone buzzed,pulling me from the thoughts.l glanced at my phone to see an email from my boss, Daniel Wright. Another set of revisions needed for a case l'd been working for weeks.l sighed, tucking the phone back into my pocket. Just another day l reminded myself.
I turned the corner to cross the street, nit paying attention to the world around me as l mentally prepared for the day ahead. And that's when it happened.
I collided with someone hard. The force of impact sent my coffee flying, the liquid splashing across the front of a perfectly navy blue tailored suit. I gasped, horrified "Oh no, I'm so sorry !" I blurted, instinctively reaching for my napkins in my bag.
The man l had crashed into stood still,his expression unreadable as he looked down at the coffee stains on his suit. His eyes met mine, and my breath hitched.
Liam.
It couldn't be. The last time l had seen him was five years ago,and l had done everything l could to erase him from my life. And yet, there he was, standing right in front of me,just as handsome and imposing as l remembered.
His jawline was sharper and his once unruly dark hair was now neatly styled,but those blue eyes,the same ones l had lost myself in,were staring back at me.
He was silent for a moment. The world seemed to be still around us, as though the universe itself had paused just for a moment.l could hear the hum of the city,the distance of honking cars,but it all felt muffled,like l was underwater.
Finally he spoke. "Lisa"
His voice was still the same,the one that l had once called home,the voice that used to make me feel safe,cherished.
But now it made me feel confused.
I swallowed hard forcing myself to focus. "Liam?" l repeated, barely able to get the word out.
His lips twitched,just barely,as though as he was not trying to smile. But l could see it in his eyes. He hadn't expected this,neither did l.
"I didn't mean too..." he began, but l cut him off, my voice steady,almost too steady.
"I'm sorry," l said trying to control the whirlwind of emotions that had suddenly engulfed me. " l didn't see you there."
He held up a hand."No,it's fine. l'm just.....surprised.
Surprised. Was that all he could say? After everything that had happened, after the years of silence, all he could muster was surprise? My chest tightened at thr thought of pain, the unanswered questions, the heartache he had left behind.
"I'll get you coffee," Liam said,as though as it was the most naturally thing in the world.
I shook my head quickly, " No, it's fine. I'm already late for work."
"Of course," he said ,but there was a glint in his eyes now,something l couldn't place. A hint of guilt? Regret?
"Liam," l began, wanting to say more, but l couldn't find the words. "I really have to go."
He didn't move. "Wait."
I looked up at him, confused
" l'm....l'm sorry ," he said , the words coming out with an unexpected sincerity. " "For everything"
I felt my stomach twist at his words, but l didn't respond. It had been five years,and his apology couldn't erase the years of pain.
But before l could turn away, he reached out, his hand brushing lightly against my arm. " l know deserve your forgiveness. But can we at least talk?"
My heart raced. There it was again, the temptation to listen,to hear him out,to let him explain. But l couldn't. Not again. Not after everything.
"I don't think lm ready for that," l said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Liam nodded, the regret in his eyes unmistakable. " l understand."
With a final look,he stepped back allowing me to pass. I walked away quickly, trying to steady my breath, trying to keep my emotions in check.
But all l could think about as l continued my walk to work was the one question l couldn't answer: Was l ready to hear him out?
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