The soft glow of hospital lighting filled the room.
Liam Winston reclined against the hospital bed's raised backrest.
White bandages wrapped tightly around his thigh.
Chloe Evans placed a thermal lunchbox on the bedside table.
She lifted the lid.
The rich aroma of chicken soup wafted through the air.
"Liam, have some soup."
Her voice was feather-soft.
Liam accepted the bowl.
His spoon dipped mechanically into the golden broth.
Each movement carried unnatural hesitation.
His gaze remained unfocused.
Miles away in thought.
The abandoned building flashed behind his eyelids again.
Sophia Sullivan's bloodless face.
Leo Carter's raised dagger.
His heart had stopped that moment.
An inexplicable urge to intercept the blade.
The memory made his jaw clench.
He despised that woman.
"Liam?"
Chloe's voice shattered the memory.
Her eyes searched his face.
"Does it taste off?"
Worry creased her brow.
Normally he'd reassure her instantly.
Now he remained impassive.
These absent episodes had increased lately.
Ever since the kidnapping.
Chloe's fingers tightened imperceptibly.
She remembered Liam's fleeting glance.
That split-second when his eyes found Sophia.
A single heartbeat of attention.
Enough to freeze her blood.
"I'm fine."
The soup bowl clicked against the table.
He massaged his temples.
"You look exhausted. Get some rest."
His tone was detached.
Her stomach dropped.
Only now noticing her fatigue.
Without even feigning concern.
Uncharacteristically cold.
"Liam."
She spoke abruptly.
"Who would you have saved first?"
Her stare pinned him.
His expression hardened.
"You know the answer."
Ice edged his words.
"I took a blade for you."
His eyes avoided hers.
Her ribs constricted.
The evasion spoke volumes.
"Sorry."
Her smile strained.
"I'm just... still shaken."
Deliberate subject change.
"About Sophia..."
Calculated pause.
"Should we still pursue the subsidiary's losses?"
His brow furrowed.
"Obviously."
But conviction wavered in his voice.
Her lashes lowered.
Masking the glacial glint.
She knew this man too well.
His resolve was cracking.
And that was unacceptable.