Chapter 2 - The Stolen Glance And The Offered Shield
Liam did not hesitate. Without a single wasted motion or an awkward second of staring, he immediately pivoted his broad back toward her, cutting off any line of sight from the resort pathways. With calm, measured precision, he reached down to the lounge chair beside him, scooped up a crisp, folded white resort towel, and extended it backward at arm's length, keeping his eyes firmly fixed forward toward the horizon where the sun met the glittering water. His posture was a masterclass in quiet chivalry—solid, unmoving, and entirely respectful of her dignity. A small pause hung in the heavy morning air, broken only by the rhythmic crash of distant waves and the soft patter of Theo digging in the damp sand behind them. Liam spoke without turning his head, his voice steady, low, and stripped of any judgment. "I’m stepping away," Liam said calmly, his gaze fixed straight ahead, "Take your time." Victoria clutched her broken top against her skin, her breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps as she stared at the outstretched hand holding the white cotton shield, realizing with a sudden rush of emotion that he was genuinely offering her sanctuary without making her feel small.
