But Liam?

Liam was never an easy person to read. She had that calm look that could fool anyone, as if nothing could affect her… but inside, everything was noise. Thoughts, doubts, things she never said out loud.

And ever since her partner started that job, the noise hasn't stopped.

At first, it seemed like a good thing. More opportunities, more money, a brighter future. But that "future" started to feel like an excuse. Long hours, unanswered messages, plans canceled at the last minute.

—“It’s just work”— said his partner.

Liam nodded… but he didn't entirely believe it anymore.

The arguments started small. Isolated comments, awkward silences. Then they grew. Harsh words, tones that hurt more than they should have.

And in the middle of all that, there was Alex.

Alex had been Liam's best friend for years. Always there, always giving his opinion… too much.

—“He’s neglecting you.” —“Don’t you realize?” —“Someone like that isn’t worth it.”

At first, Liam didn't want to listen. He defended his partner, trying to justify everything. But Alex persisted. More and more. More and more forcefully. And little by little, those words began to stick. One night, everything exploded. His partner had come home late again. Without warning. Without a clear explanation. Liam could no longer contain himself.

—“What’s more important? Your job or me?”

The silence that followed was worse than any response.

—“It’s not that simple.” That phrase… that damn phrase. Alex was right, Liam thought. Maybe he always was. But also… something didn't add up.

Liam was never an easy person to read. She had that calm look that could fool anyone, as if nothing could affect her… but inside, everything was noise. Thoughts, doubts, things she never said out loud.

And ever since her partner started that job, the noise hasn't stopped.

At first, it seemed like a good thing. More opportunities, more money, a brighter future. But that "future" started to feel like an excuse. Long hours, unanswered messages, plans canceled at the last minute.

—“It’s just work”— said his partner.

Liam nodded… but he didn't entirely believe it anymore.

The arguments started small. Isolated comments, awkward silences. Then they grew. Harsh words, tones that hurt more than they should have.

And in the middle of all that, there was Alex.

Alex had been Liam's best friend for years. Always there, always giving his opinion… too much.

—“He’s neglecting you.” —“Don’t you realize?” —“Someone like that isn’t worth it.”

At first, Liam didn't want to listen. He defended his partner, trying to justify everything. But Alex persisted. More and more. More and more forcefully.

And little by little, those words began to stick.

One night, everything exploded.

His partner had come home late again. Without warning. Without a clear explanation. Liam could no longer contain himself.

—“What’s more important? Your job or me?”

The silence that followed was worse than any response.

—“It’s not that simple.”

That phrase… that damn phrase.

Alex was right, Liam thought. Maybe he always was.

But also… something didn't add up.