Big, bold, red letters.

“Property dispute: Cliffside house under review for illegal ownership.”

Liana stared at it, hands shoved in her jacket, jaw tight.

Kael stepped beside her, reading slower.

“Someone’s challenging your place?” he asked.

She didn’t answer. Didn’t have to.

Everyone in town knew that house had been in her mother’s name. And after she passed, no one questioned it. Until now.

“Convenient timing,” Kael muttered. “After you embarrassed a golden boy in public.”

Her eyes didn’t leave the paper.

“Evan’s father has pull. And spite,” she said flatly. “Of course he’d come after the one thing I still have.”

The anger was there. But quieter. Controlled. Like a match held inches from flame.

“We’ll fight it,” Kael said.

She turned to him slowly. “We?”

He didn’t blink. “I don’t let people burn alone.”

Something flickered behind her eyes. Unreadable. Sharp and soft at once.

They started walking back, silent, the wind picking up again.

And then..

Out of nowhere, a branch from the old tree snapped above them, catching Kael’s hood and yanking him backwards mid-step.

He stumbled hard, nearly tripping, the branch flailing like it had personal beef.

Liana paused.

Watched him try to untangle himself with full brooding seriousness.

And..

She laughed.

Not a smirk.

Not a scoff.

A real laugh. Soft and sudden, like she'd forgotten how not to guard herself.

Kael looked up, stunned.

“I hate trees,” he muttered.

She just shook her head, still laughing..careless, for the first time.

And God, he wanted to hear that sound again.