“Due to my own ‘chequered’ history, I can’t see the good in any relationship,” Morgan said, the admission clearly costing her. “I was unfair to you and Sunny. And I’m… I’m sorry.”
The words hung between them, fragile and unprecedented. In thirty-three years, Liam could count on one hand the times Morgan had apologized for anything.
“Thank you,” he said finally, unsure how else to respond to this unfamiliar terrain.
Morgan cleared her throat, discomfort evident. “Anyway, I just wanted to say that. And also… us Andersons are royally screwed when it comes to relationships and closing ourselves off. Maybe it’s time at least one of us broke the pattern.”
Liam sat with that for a moment, turning the insight over in his mind. “I think you might be onto something.”
“Of course I am. I’m the smart one, remember?” The quip carried a ghost of their old banter, but without the usual underlying hostility.
“Morgan,” Liam began, still struggling to reconcile this new side of his sister, “I appreciate the call. Really.”
“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it.” But there was warmth in her voice, a genuine affection Liam hadn’t heard in years.
After they disconnected, Liam sat for several minutes in the parking lot, processing the conversation. If Morgan — stubborn, judgmental Morgan — could change her perspective so dramatically, what else was possible?
The realization clicked into place like a perfect line change: if his sister could grow, could learn, could admit her mistakes… so could he.
With renewed determination, Liam pulled back onto the road, heading home to regroup before beginning his search for Sunny. Hope, fragile but persistent, blossomed in his chest. This wasn’t over yet. Not by a long shot.
Liam was still processing Morgan’s unexpected support when he pulled into his driveway, his mind already mapping out next steps. He needed to track Sunny down, to make his case face-to-face. No more hiding, no more fear. Just honesty and the hope that it wasn’t too late.
But as he stepped through the front door, the expression on Beth’s face stopped him cold.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, instantly alert.
Beth wrung her hands, a gesture so uncharacteristic for the normally composed housekeeper that alarm bells immediately rang in Liam’s head.
“I’ve been trying to reach Sunny,” she said. “She left behind some medications — nothing serious,” she added quickly at Liam’s look of concern, “just her allergy pills. I thought she’d want them, with spring coming.”
“And?” Liam prompted when Beth hesitated.
“Her phone goes straight to voicemail. Has been all day.” Beth’s weathered face creased with worry. “So I went by her apartment this afternoon to drop them off.”
Liam’s heart rate kicked up a notch. “Was she there?”
Beth shook her head. “No. But her neighbor was outside. Older lady with a littleterrier?”
Liam nodded impatiently. He vaguely recalled Sunny mentioning a friendly neighbor who sometimes walked her dog with her.
“She said he saw her early this morning, loading up her car. Said it looked like…” Beth paused, her eyes sad. “Like she was ‘leaving town,’ were her exact words. All her suitcases, some boxes.”
The air seemed to evaporate from Liam’s lungs. “Did she say where she was going?”
“No.” Beth’s voice was apologetic. “Just that she seemed in a hurry. Left before seven.”
Liam sank onto the bench in the foyer, the morning’s confidence draining away like ice water down a drain. Had Sunny fled the city? The state? Without even leaving a forwarding address?
“I’m sure she just needs some time,” Beth offered, clearly trying to be helpful. “After everything that’s happened…”
But Liam barely heard her. His mind replayed every cruel word, every cowardly moment when he’d pushed Sunny away instead of fighting for what they had. He’d taken too long to come to his senses. While he’d been grandstanding at press conferences, she’d been packing her life into a car and disappearing.
“Dad?”
Liam looked up to find Maddie and Hailey on the staircase, watching him with matching expressions of concern.
“Is Sunny coming home?” Hailey asked, hope brightening her small face.
