DRENCHED

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

DRENCHED

LIAM'S POV

Elena let out a soft chuckle, a teasing glint in her eyes. "And what would be the alternative if I don’t?"

The way she laughed, almost dismissively, made something flicker inside me. I growled low in my throat, trying to keep my voice steady. "You’ll have to tell me the truth."

She raised an eyebrow, amused. "What truth?" she asked, playing along like it was still all part of the game.

I hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Do you feel anything for me?" The words were out before I could stop them, but I needed to know. My heart raced as I waited for her answer.

But Elena just laughed again, brushing it off with a smile. "Liam, come on. We’re just playing a game, right?"

Her laughter, her casual dismissal, hit me harder than I expected. It stung. My chest tightened, my heart silently splintering. I forced a smile, even though it felt like my insides were twisting apart.

"Yeah, just a game," I echoed, though my voice didn’t quite sound