Chapter 186
Liam paused ever so slightly, then let go at once.
Suzy didn’t react much. She simply lowered her head and focused on fitting the piece into place.
Liam watched her profile. The candlelight cast soft shadows across her face, her lashes forming delicate arcs beneath her eyes.
Her lips were slightly pressed together, her expression intent, fingers deftly connecting one tiny piece after another.
His throat suddenly felt dry. He looked away and continued searching through the pile.
"Next one. Number 52."
"Alright."
And so they fell into a rhythm, one finding, the other assembling, their coordination growing more natural with each step.
Liam was now faster at locating pieces, while Suzy’s hands moved with increasing ease.
"This is 89... no, 68." Liam handed over one piece, then quickly corrected himself and swapped it for another.
Suzy glanced up at him. "Are you sure?"
Liam met her gaze, a faint warmth creeping across his face. He lowered his eyes to the manual again, then nodded. "I’m sure. It’s 68."
Suzy took it and pressed it into place. It fit perfectly.
"Nice," she said, a hint of admiration in her voice.
Liam pressed his lips together, his face warming. "...I’m just... locating pieces."
Suzy smiled.
They continued for a while longer, the outline of the fire truck gradually taking shape.
Suzy reached for a piece at the same moment Liam did.
Their hands touched again. This time, Liam didn’t pull away immediately.
Suzy’s fingers were slightly cool, while his felt almost burning.
The moment lingered for two seconds before Suzy withdrew first.
She glanced at him instinctively. He was already looking at her.
The candlelight flickered in his dark eyes, revealing something she couldn’t quite decipher.
"...Is it done yet?" Noah’s drowsy, slurred voice came from behind them.
Suzy shifted her gaze and replied, "Almost."
Noah rubbed his eyes and shuffled closer. "Mm... almost done."
Then his attention landed on Liam’s hands. "Liam, are all the pieces you found correct?"
Liam paused. He looked down at the piece in his hand, then at the manual, and silently put it back before picking up another.
Suzy bit back a smile, accepting the new piece he handed her. This time, it was right.
"You’re actually quite patient," she said softly.
Liam froze for a moment, then lifted his eyes to look at her.
Her eyes were especially clear in the candlelight, reflecting the flickering flame and, faintly, his own silhouette.
"...Is that so?" His voice was low.
"Yeah, more patient than I expected," Suzy said as she continued assembling. "I thought you’d be the type to lose patience halfway through."
Liam fell silent for two seconds. "If it were with someone else, maybe."
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized something felt off. He hurried to add, "I mean... Noah likes this, so..."
The more he tried to explain, the more tangled his words became, his voice growing quieter.
Suzy watched his flustered expression, and something strange stirred in her chest.
It felt like she was seeing a different side of him. It was... intriguing.
"I get it," she said with a small smile, not pressing further.
A while later, the fire truck was finally complete. Noah leaned in, eyes sparkling. "It’s so pretty!"
Suzy handed it to him. Noah took it eagerly, turning it over in his hands, unable to put it down.
"Well, I should probably get going," Suzy said, stretching lightly.
At her words, Liam’s lashes trembled.
"I’ll walk you back," he said softly.
Suzy glanced at him, smiling. "Sure."
Only then did Noah realize she was leaving. Suddenly, even the fire truck in his hands lost its appeal.
He set it aside and asked anxiously, "Suzy, are you leaving?"
"Yeah, I’ve been here for quite a while," she replied.
The boy lowered his gaze, clearly disappointed.
Suzy reached out and ruffled his hair. "It’s not like we won’t see each other again."
He nodded reluctantly, accepting her words.
Suzy stood, and Liam followed, heading to the dining area to retrieve the packed containers.
The house had felt livelier with her presence, and now that she was leaving, both of them felt an unspoken reluctance.
Suzy changed into her shoes, lifting the basket that now only held the containers.
"Alright, I’m heading back."
Noah looked at her longingly, wanting to ask her to stay, but knowing it was already late.
Liam hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "I’ll walk you back."
Suzy paused.
Again? He really was that considerate.
But... Leonard and Thomas might be waiting outside her door. If they ran into Liam, she would have to explain everything all over again. That was too much trouble.
They had already spent plenty of time together today. Maybe it was better to keep a bit of distance now.
She didn’t hesitate long and shook her head decisively. "No need. I live just upstairs, it’s not far. I can go back on my own. No need to trouble you."
Her refusal was firm.
At her words, Liam’s gaze stilled, and the light in his eyes dimmed just a little.
"Alright. I understand."
Suzy didn’t miss the brief dimming in his eyes. In that fleeting instant, something inside her tightened, as if a fine thread had wrapped around her heart and given it a gentle tug.
Beautiful people look especially heartbreaking when they’re disappointed.
For a moment, she even felt a flicker of regret.
But she didn’t take her words back. Keeping her expression casual, she waved her hand lightly. "I’ll get going, then."
She twisted the handle and pushed the door open. Just as she was about to step out, Liam’s voice sounded behind her again.
"Then... will you come tomorrow?"
Suzy paused, surprised, and turned back. Liam stood by the entryway, his dark eyes deep and unreadable.
Noah chimed in at just the right moment, "Yeah, Suzy, will you come tomorrow?"
Suzy smiled and asked back, "Do you want me to come?"
Noah nodded vigorously. "Yes! Of course I do!"
Her gaze shifted from him to Liam. He didn’t speak, only looked at her quietly, waiting for her answer.
"I will," she said.
For a moment, she thought she saw him relax, just slightly.
"You look happy," she tested.
Liam instinctively wanted to deny it, but for some reason, he nodded instead. "Yeah. If you come, Noah will be happy..."
So it was about Noah.
Suzy felt something complicated stir in her chest. "Then I’ll be going."
She stepped out first. The door closed behind her, separating the three of them.
The hallway was dark.
As Suzy started up the stairs, a sudden chill shot up her spine, prickling across her scalp.
She turned sharply, certain she had seen a pair of eyes flicker past.
Without hesitation, she switched on her flashlight and swept the beam ahead.
The hallway was empty. There was nothing.
Was she imagining things?
She rubbed her arms, goosebumps already rising.
That feeling just now had been deeply unsettling, like being watched by a snake ready to strike.
Shaking off the creeping unease, she turned back once more with the flashlight.
Still nothing.
Suzy took a deep breath and quickened her pace up the stairs.
On the way home, she stayed on high alert, every nerve taut.
What if it hadn’t been her imagination?