I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 121

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**

**Chapter 121**

A palpable silence enveloped them after that exchange, a comfortable pause filled with the sounds of the world around them. Talya focused intently on her task, diligently finishing the shutters, her hands deftly staining the railing with careful strokes. As she worked, she couldn’t help but marvel at Liam’s efficiency; he moved with a purpose that left her in awe. In what felt like mere moments, he had replaced the old boards on the stairs and installed a brand-new door handle and lock.

“Why don’t we take a break for lunch?” he suggested, his voice breaking through her thoughts.

Talya shrugged, a hint of determination in her eyes. “I’m good to keep going,” she replied, not wanting to pause just yet.

Liam feigned a dramatic sigh. “Let me rephrase that; I’m absolutely starving,” he said, his tone playful as he rubbed his stomach for emphasis.

A smile crept onto Talya’s face at his antics. “Alright, I’ll go find something for you to eat,” she said, half-joking, as she turned to head inside.

“Nope! I’ve got it covered,” he called out, striding over to his car. Moments later, he returned, a cooler in hand, the lid popping open to reveal its treasures.

He pulled out two neatly wrapped sub sandwiches, along with bags of chips and two bottles of water. “Here you go,” he said, extending a sandwich toward her. “I even brought two for your grandparents.”

Talya’s gaze shot up to meet his, surprise flickering in her eyes. Who was this man, she wondered? She had never encountered anyone who was so thoughtful and generous. “Thank you,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt a warmth spread through her as he settled down on the steps, gesturing for her to join him.

She took a seat next to him, but instead of diving into her sandwich, she hesitated. Liam wasted no time, taking several hearty bites out of his own meal before glancing her way. “Aren’t you going to eat?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly in concern.

“I’m good,” Talya replied, her voice steady but her heart racing.

“No, you’re not. You’re just picking at it,” he countered, a teasing smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

“This is how I eat,” she defended, a hint of stubbornness in her tone.

“Why aren’t you eating the whole thing?” Liam pressed, his curiosity piqued.

“I told you. I can’t have bread, remember?” Talya replied, her voice trailing off as she felt the familiar pang of frustration rise within her.

Liam closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if gathering his thoughts. When he opened them again, his gaze bore into hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. “Talya, you can’t let Brandon control your life any longer. He’s not a part of it anymore. He can’t dictate what you can or cannot eat,” he said, his voice firm yet laced with concern.

“It’s not just him,” Talya murmured, her voice barely audible. “I just can’t eat certain foods or…” She trailed off, the weight of her unspoken fears hanging in the air between them.

“Talya,” Liam growled slightly, frustration evident in his tone. “We are not revisiting this conversation. You are not fat. You need to eat that sandwich because you’re hungry. That’s what people do when they’re hungry. They eat,” he insisted, his voice taking on a stern edge.

Talya’s gaze fell to her sandwich, its enticing aroma wafting up to her. She was truly hungry, and it looked so delicious. “Eat it,” he urged again, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Taking a deep breath, Talya finally picked up the sandwich, her fingers trembling slightly as she took a bite. The explosion of flavor in her mouth was nothing short of heavenly. She closed her eyes momentarily, savoring the moment. “Oh, that is good,” she sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing.

Talya opened her mouth to argue, but she quickly closed it again. Deep down, she knew he was only trying to help her. He had already done so much for her and her grandparents. Perhaps this was something she could do for him in return. “Okay,” she finally relented, a small smile breaking through her uncertainty.

Liam raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his expression. “Okay?”

Talya grinned at him, feeling a lightness in her heart. “I can listen once in a while,” she teased, her spirit lifting.

He huffed at her response, a playful glimmer in his eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

Rising to her feet, Talya felt a sense of gratitude wash over her. “Thanks for lunch. Did you say there were sandwiches for my grandparents?” she asked, her heart swelling with appreciation.

“Yeah,” Liam replied, standing fluidly as he handed her two sandwiches.

“Thank you for doing all of this. That was really kind of you,” she said, her voice sincere. Without thinking, she reached up on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, surprising both him and herself. Flushing with warmth, she hurried inside before he could respond, her heart racing with a mix of emotions.

After delivering the sandwiches to her grateful grandparents, Talya returned to her work with renewed energy. The next few hours flew by, the sun dipping lower in the sky, signaling that it was almost time for her to clean up and prepare for her shift.

She changed out of her paint-stained clothes, slipping into her work attire, and made sure to give her grandparents warm hugs before stepping outside.

Liam looked up from where he was working, his expression shifting to one of anticipation. “You ready?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of encouragement.