?Chapter 1031:


    “And if I don’t?” Kristian asked, his voice quiet.


    “No chance,” Liam shot back. “You always do.”


    Kristian didn’t reply, his thoughts heavy. He’d survive this, sure, but the loss would linger, an ache that time might never fully heal.


    “Kristian,” Liam said, breaking the silence.


    “Yeah?”


    “You have toe out more,” Liam urged, his tone earnest. “Don’t let your heart cloud your head. Think clearly, especially about love.” Liam knew a bit about Kristian’s breakup.


    With his sharp mind, Kristian shouldn’t have stumbled like this.


    Emotions had tripped him up, drowning out the reason.


    “And don’t shut people out,” Liam added, his voice firm. “You’ll only trap yourself and push everyone away.”


    He wished Kristian and Freya had made it work. If he could, he’d rewrite their story to keep them together. But Freya had moved on with Ellis, and Kristian needed to find his path forward.


    “If you’re so full of wisdom,” Kristian said, a teasing edge to his voice, “bring a girlfriend home this year. Or I’ll y matchmaker myself.”


    Liam blinked, stunned. All his advice, and this was theeback?


    Kristian looked away, hiding a smirk. “It’s not just me. Mom, Dad, and Grandpa all want you to bring someone home.”


    Liam groaned.


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    “Can’t help you,” Kristian said, shrugging.


    “I’m into guys!” Liam blurted, grasping at straws to dodge the setups.


    “It wouldn’t be fair to some poor girl!”


    Kristian narrowed his eyes at Liam, his brow furrowed. “Seriously?” Over the years, Liam had never shown much interest in dating. He never brought up a girl, never mentioned anyone he had a crush on.


    Could it really be that he was into men?


    Suddenly, Liam felt uneasy. His bravado faltered. He wanted to confirm it with confidence, but once the words left his mouth, there’d be no taking them back.


    Kristian clearly wasn’t joking. He was taking this very seriously now.


    “How long has it been?” Kristian asked, his voice lower, more serious.


    “What?” Liam blinked. He didn’t follow.


    Kristian studied him closely. “When did you realize you were into men?”


    “I don’t know,” Liam stammered. “Not really sure.”


    “Do you have a boyfriend?” Kristian asked bluntly.


    Liam froze for a second—then immediately shook his head. “No, of course not.”


    How could he have a boyfriend? He was straight.


    “Have you ever dated a guy?”


    “No.”


    “Is there someone you like right now?”


    Liam almost said no on instinct—but then paused. If he said that, Kristian would probably run straight to their parents and start setting him up on blind dates again. That was thest thing he needed. So he pivoted. “Yeah. There is.”


    Kristian’s expression didn’t budge. “Who?”


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