Although Liam never verbally agreed, he couldn’t deny that he was tempted.

"I know. Stop rushing me. Give me a minute."

He caught Noah by the arm before the boy could dash off. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Put your coat on first."

Noah nodded obediently, afraid that if he argued, Liam might change his mind.

Once both brothers were bundled into their winter coats, they grabbed Suzy’s forgotten hand warmer and headed out.

Liam had been to Suzy’s apartment before, so he knew the way well.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the twentieth floor and arrive outside her door.

Liam pressed the doorbell.

At that moment, Suzy had already returned to her own safehouse.

Derek wasn’t with her. He was busy settling into his new room, organizing the clothes and daily necessities Suzy had given him.

The doorbell rang.

Leonard happened to be in the living room. Hearing the sound, he checked the security monitor.

The moment he saw Liam and Noah standing outside, understanding flashed across his face.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out who they had come to see.

Without interfering, he walked over and knocked on Suzy’s bedroom door.

"Suzy, someone’s here for you."

"Who is it?"

She opened the door, half expecting Derek.

"One big, one small." Leonard grinned. "They’re waiting outside."

Suzy frowned. "One big and one small?"

"Yep. Liam and Noah. Pretty sure they’re here to see you."

Suzy arched her eyebrows in surprise.

Liam and Noah? Hadn’t she just seen them? What could they possibly need?

Filled with curiosity, she headed toward the entrance and opened the door.

Sure enough, Liam and Noah stood outside.

"What are you doing here?"

Noah immediately raised his face toward her, his eyes sparkling.

"Suzy, you forgot this at our house."

He held up the hand warmer proudly, as though presenting a priceless treasure.

Standing behind him, Liam explained,

"Noah insisted on bringing it back to you."

His gaze briefly settled on Suzy’s face before shifting away again.

Looking down, Suzy immediately recognized it.

It really was hers.

She must have left it behind on the sofa while playing with Noah.

Squatting down, she accepted the hand warmer and ruffled the boy’s hair.

"Thank you, Noah. You came all this way just to bring it back."

"You’re welcome!" His smile practically lit up the hallway.

"Now that we’ve returned it, we’ll be heading back." Liam gently rested a hand on Noah’s shoulder.

The boy clearly wasn’t ready to leave. He wanted to stay and spend more time with Suzy, but couldn’t quite find the courage to ask.

Noticing his hesitation, Liam reached for him.

"Let’s go."

Seeing the brothers preparing to leave, Suzy hurriedly stopped them.

"Wait a second. Let me get something for you."

Noah reacted immediately. He slipped free of Liam’s grasp and brightened.

"Suzy told us to wait."

Suzy laughed and rubbed his head.

"That’s right. Give me a minute."

Turning around, she disappeared inside. When she returned, the pockets of her coat looked noticeably fuller.

Reaching inside, she pulled out a handful of candy and poured it into Noah’s waiting palms.

"Thank you for bringing my hand warmer back. This is your reward."

The candies happened to be his favorite kind.

She had already given him some earlier, though not many. She worried that too much sugar would ruin his teeth.

Still, considering he had personally delivered the hand warmer, she didn’t mind being a little more generous.

Noah’s eyes widened instantly. He looked so delighted he practically bounced on the spot.

"Thank you, Big Sis!"

The trip had been completely worth it.

Suzy watched his excitement with an amused smile before lifting her gaze toward Liam.

"You get something too."

The unexpected statement caught him off guard.

"What?"

"Hold out your hand."

Liam looked at her in confusion. When he realized she was serious, he immediately shook his head.

"That’s not necessary."

Ignoring his protest, Suzy grabbed his hand. Then she reached into her pocket again and dropped several candies into his palm.

"These are for you."

The smile she gave him afterward was dazzling.

For a moment, Liam simply stared, while his mind blanked. By the time he recovered, Suzy had already withdrawn her hand.

"If either of you ever need anything, come find me."

Liam nodded quietly. Then, taking Noah with him, he headed home.

His hands were full. Among the candies Suzy had given him, he kept one for himself.

Back inside their apartment, he scattered the rest across the table.

Then he unwrapped the remaining piece.

The outer shell was chocolate. Rich and fragrant, with a slight bitterness.

When he bit through it, a sweet filling burst across his tongue. And somehow, at that exact moment, Suzy’s face appeared in his mind.

The image of her smiling at him moments earlier resurfaced vividly.

His heartbeat accelerated without warning. When the strange sensation finally faded, Liam felt ridiculous.

What was he even thinking?

She had a boyfriend. Possibly more than one.

Had he lost his mind?

There was no way he would fall for a woman who was that complicated.

Absolutely not. He refused to admit it.

The reason she kept appearing in his thoughts had to be because of that kiss. That was all.

Nothing more.

Given enough time, everything would return to normal. At least, that was what he told himself.

"Brother! Brother!"

Noah’s voice shattered his thoughts. Liam blinked and looked up. The boy was staring at him.

"What is it?"

"What were you thinking about? I called you forever."

Noah sounded thoroughly dissatisfied. Lately, his brother had become strange. He was constantly zoning out. He had never been like that before.

"Just thinking about something." Liam brushed the question aside.

Noah pouted.

Clutching his candy, he wandered over to the small storage box near the window.

He had originally planned to share some of his sweets with his brother. Now he wasn’t so sure.

If Liam wanted to ignore him, then forget it.

The curtains hadn’t been drawn. Daylight still filled the snowy world outside. Standing on tiptoe, Noah reached toward the box.

Then he froze.

Down below, several figures were moving through the snow. Their destination appeared to be this building.

Noah was too short for them to notice him.

His brows immediately furrowed. Dropping the candy into the box, he hurried back to Liam.

"Liam, there are people downstairs."

Liam stood immediately.

"How many?"

"Four. They’re heading toward our building."

A frown settled across Liam’s face. Without wasting another second, he crossed to the window. One glance was enough.

Four figures were indeed approaching through the falling snow.

"Liam, should we alert Suzy?"

The answer left Liam’s mouth before he could think about it.

"Let’s go."