Chapter 115 Hope And Happiness
Mia's POV
I didn't expect Liam to come after me to explain himself. When he told me he hadn't sent that gown, when confusion filled his eyes instead of guilt, I realized he was telling the truth.
The hurt I had been carrying slowly loosened inside my chest. And when he said he had chosen something more beautiful for me, something he thought would suit me better, I couldn't stop wondering what it looked like. What color was it? What design? Did he really spend time thinking about how I would look in it?
For the first time that night, I didn't feel like a fool.
"Liam!" Stacy's voice cut through the air like a sharp blade. My entire body tensed. Instinctively, I wanted to step back and disappear. To pretend this moment never happened.
But before I could even react, Liam's expression changed. Not because he stopped caring and he regretted talking to me. But because he knew what would happen if Stacy saw us together.
His eyes met mine one last time. There was something urgent in them. Something apologetic.
"I'll see you around," he said quietly.
And then he left. He didn't say goodbye. He didn't wait for my response. He didn't even look back.
He walked away hurriedly, making sure he would reach Stacy before she could reach us.
For a second, my chest tightened. It hurt that he left like that. It hurt that I was someone he had to hide. That he couldn't stand beside me openly. That loving me always seemed to come with consequences.
But as I stood there watching him disappear into the crowd, I understood.
He wasn't running away from me. He was protecting me.
If Stacy saw us talking, she would make a scene. She would twist everything. She would make sure I suffered for it. And Liam knew that. He knew how vicious she could be.
So he chose to leave first. And that hurt. But it also made me realize something.
The way he looked at me a while ago... that wasn't fake. There was longing in his eyes. There was regret. There was something soft and unguarded that he only ever showed when we were alone.
He wanted to dance with me. I could see it. I could feel it. And for a brief, foolish moment, I wanted to say yes.
I wanted to forget everything. Forget Stacy. Forget the rumors. Forget the way people would talk. But I couldn't because loving Liam was never just about us.
It was always about the people watching. The expectations and the pressure. The drama that followed his name everywhere.
My heart soared knowing he still cared. But at the same time, it ached knowing I couldn't ask him to choose me in front of everyone.
I didn’t want him to get into trouble because of me. I didn’t want to be the reason another argument would start between him and Stacy. I didn’t want to be the girl who ruined his carefully balanced world.
So I stayed where I was.
Even when he didn’t say goodbye. Even when he left in a hurry the moment he heard Stacy call his name. Even when all I got was a quiet, “I’ll see you around.”
I held on to the way he looked at me.
There was something in his eyes before he turned away. Something warm. Something almost desperate. It was the same look he used to give me when we were alone, when the world didn’t matter.
Sometimes, that was enough.
I took a slow breath and looked down at my gown. The stain was still there, darker now and impossible to ignore.
I had no idea the drinks Chloe poured on me were coffee. I thought it was just juice. But now the brown stain stood out against the fabric, and I felt my confidence slowly slipping away.
Maybe I should go back to the restroom and try to wash it again. At least in there, no one would stare at me. I turned around, planning to avoid the ballroom for a few more minutes, but before I could take another step, someone blocked my way.
My heart jumped.
For a second, I thought Stacy sent someone to humiliate me again. My mind prepared for another cruel smile. Another insult.
But instead, the woman in front of me smiled gently.
She looked like she was in her mid forties. I was sure I hadn’t seen her around Suncrest Academy before. She didn’t look like a teacher either. She carried herself differently. She looked calm and composed. And in her hand was a long dress bag.
“Hi. Mia, right?” she asked softly.
I hesitated but nodded slowly. I was half expecting her smile to disappear and turn into something cruel.
Instead, her smile grew warmer.
“Yes, you’re Mia,” she said as if she was relieved to finally find me. “Don’t worry. I’m not here to cause trouble.”
I swallowed. “Who are you?”
“My name is Lena,” she replied. “Can you come with me to the restroom for a moment? It’s important.”
The word important made my stomach twist.
“Why?” I asked carefully.
She glanced around before lowering her voice. “You don’t want anyone else to see this.”
I looked at the dress bag in her hand. My heart started beating faster.
Against my better judgment, I followed her back toward the restroom. Every step felt uncertain, but something about her didn’t feel threatening. She walked confidently, like she knew exactly why she was here.
Once we were inside and the door closed behind us, she locked it gently.
Then she turned to me.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” she asked. I shook my head.
“I work at Liam’s mansion,” she said.
My breath caught.
“You… what?”
“I’ve been part of their household staff for years. I’ve known Liam since he was young. I used to be his nanny, and now I’m the head housekeeper.” Her eyes softened. “I can tell you this. He trusts very few people. But he trusted me with this.”
She slowly placed the dress bag on the counter and unzipped it.
When she pulled the dress out, I forgot how to breathe.
It was more than beautiful.
The fabric shimmered under the restroom lights. It was royal blue, deep and regal, the kind of color that made you feel powerful just by looking at it. The shade would bring warmth to my skin, making it stand out beautifully. It looked expensive and carefully chosen.
“This is…” I whispered.
“The dress Liam personally selected for you,” Lena said gently. “He asked me to make sure it reached you safely tonight.”
My mind spun.
“He was furious when he found out something went wrong with the delivery. He didn’t want to cause a scene tonight. Especially not with Stacy watching. But he couldn’t let you stand there thinking he did this to you.”
My heart pounded so hard it almost hurt.
“He sent you here?” I asked quietly.
She nodded.
“He didn’t want anyone to notice, especially Stacy. And he didn’t want you embarrassed. He told me to bring this and help you change if you agreed.”
I stared at the dress in her hands.
“He… trusted you with this?”
Elena smiled softly. “Liam doesn’t trust easily, Mia. But when he does, it means something.”
My fingers trembled as I touched the fabric.
Liam didn’t humiliate me. He didn’t send that matching gown to hurt me, but he tried to protect me.
And suddenly, the way he looked at me before leaving made sense. He wasn’t running away from me. He was fixing something for me.
Tears blurred my vision, but this time they weren’t from humiliation, but from hope and happiness.