---- Chapter 13 The next morning, Liam insisted on taking her to the hospital for a follow-up appointment. The air was cool and crisp as they walked to his car, and he held her hand the entire way. It felt natural, right. "The doctor said I'm fine," she protested weakly. "It was just a one-time reaction." "| know," he said, opening the car door for her. "But | want to be sure. And | want you to get used to this." "Used to what?" she asked as he got into the driver's seat. "To being a priority," he said simply. He started the car and looked at her. "Your health, your well-being... it comes first. Before my work, before my meetings, before anything. That's how it's supposed to work, Ava. You were never supposed to be the one making all the sacrifices." His words hit her with the force of a revelation. All those years with Noah, she had structured her life around his needs, his schedule, his moods. She had cancelled plans, missed deadlines, and ignored her own health, all in the name of being a "good girlfriend." She had thought that was love. Liam reached over and took her hand again. "Love isn't about sacrificing yourself for someone else's convenience," he said, ---- as if reading her mind. "It's about two people building something together, supporting each other, making each other's lives better. It's supposed to add to your life, not subtract from it." He was putting into words everything she had been too afraid to admit to herself. He was dismantling the toxic foundation of her previous relationship, brick by painful brick, and showing her what a healthy one looked like. Tears welled up in her eyes. Not tears of sadness, but of release. It was as if the last three years of her life were a fog that was finally starting to clear. She saw Noah for what he was: a selfish boy in a man's body. And she saw herself, a woman who had allowed her own light to be dimmed for far too long. "Hey," Liam said softly, squeezing her hand. "What's wrong?" She shook her head, a watery smile on her face. "Nothing's wrong," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "For the first time ina long time, everything feels... right." She looked at him, at his kind, worried face. "Thank you, Liam. For showing me that." The tears spilled over, tracing paths down her cheeks. She was crying for the girl she had been, the one who thought love meant pain. And she was crying for the woman she was becoming, the one who was finally learning her own worth Liam pulled the car over to the side of the road. He undid his seatbelt, leaned over, and pulled her into a hug. He just held ---- her as she cried, his hand stroking her back in a steady, comforting rhythm When her sobs subsided, he pulled back and gently wiped the tears from her face with his thumbs. "No more tears for him," he said softly. "He's not worth another second of your pain." She nodded, taking a shaky breath. Then, she did something that surprised even herself. She leaned in and kissed him, a kiss full of gratitude, and hope, and the promise of a new beginning. Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.