A flicker of guilt crossed Emma's face. She gently extended her right hand to touch the bracelet on her wrist, her eyes filled with unease and fear.
But that simple movement only made Liam angrier.
He felt the blood in his veins boil, a pulse throbbing at his temples.
Liam took a cold, hard look at Emma's expression, and a sharp ache suddenly pierced his heart.
How many more lies did this woman have that he didn't know about?
Seeing that he remained stubbornly silent, just staring at her left hand without moving, Emma felt a chill creep up her spine.
He said he wanted to talk. Why isn't he saying anything now?
Emma looked down at her own left hand, gathered every ounce of her courage, and spoke with a tremor in her voice. "This is from Elijah. He and I are just friends. Please don't misunderstand..."
She tried to explain, but the explanation only made things worse.
Liam and Elijah were natural-born enemies.
She knew her explanation was probably useless. Emma held no hope at all that he would like a gift from Elijah.
"Miss Johnson, don't forget our contract. We don't interfere in each other's private lives. Who you see, who gives you gifts—it's all your own business. We are only husband and wife in name. The only thing I can manage now is that your actions don't tarnish the reputation of the Williams family. No matter how many men you have outside, whether I know about it or not, I hope you can be discreet and let me get through this year peacefully. One year from now, I will keep my promise and give you your freedom." Liam spoke these words lightly, but they sent a chill down Emma's spine.
She had expected Liam to be furious. She had expected him to treat her with the same rudeness and arrogance as before.
But...
His face was so cold. His tone held not a trace of anger or threat. He just said those lukewarm words.
Take care of herself?
In a year, she would be set free?
"Oh... I understand."
In the past, no matter how angry Liam got, he had never said something like this.
Emma frowned and sighed. If Liam hadn't reminded her, she would have forgotten the agreement entirely.
This morning, she had been worried about whether he would be angry if she wore the bracelet from Elijah. Now, he had said this...
It suddenly became clear. What Liam cared about wasn't who she was with or who gave her gifts. What he cared about was whether she disgraced the Williams family. I've been overthinking things all along.
Now, Liam finally saw Emma for who she was.
Her answer was just a faint "I understand..." Was it ironic? Unexpected?
Liam stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, pressing it down firmly.
He stood up and walked to the bathroom.
When he came out again, Emma was already lying in bed. He didn't know if she was asleep.
He only knew that his heart was exhausted.
He was terrified of losing control again. Every time he was with Emma, his emotions would inexplicably surge, and his reason would inexplicably slip away.
He no longer had the energy to care about these issues. He didn't want to hear any more explanations or apologies from her.
Liam thought that was enough.
When the facts were right in front of him, it wasn't up to him to question or choose whether to believe her.
Everything seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
Now, Liam's only thought was to find the evidence as soon as possible, catch the fox, and then cut off all ties with Emma. From now on... nothing more.
No more contact.
Emma curled up, trying her best to lean to the far side of the bed, her back to Liam. She hadn't fallen asleep at all.
She had wanted to explain. She had wanted to make things clear with Liam. But his words had left her speechless.
Now it seemed...
Her explanation would only be superfluous.
As if afraid he would forget her identity, Liam had reminded her again that she was just his wife in name. Nothing more.
Her heart suddenly went cold. Yes, she had spent too much time thinking about Liam.
When she did everything, when she said everything, she thought of him, Liam.
Will he be angry? Will he be happy? Will he care?
Unconsciously, this worry had become a habit.
Emma hadn't realized it, but she had almost started to think of herself as Liam's real wife.
Ridiculous, right?
She heard a sound behind her. Emma could feel Liam get into bed, pull the covers, and wrap himself tightly.
Then...
There was no more movement on the bed. For a long time, Emma kept her eyes open, listening carefully for any sound behind her. But the room was very quiet. Liam hadn't moved since he lay down. He hadn't even turned over.
Until his steady breathing reached her ears, she gently closed her eyes.
It seemed... this was the so-called strange dream.
Everything was as expected. When Emma woke up in the morning, Liam had already gone to work.
As usual, every time he was angry, he would leave the house without a word.
Emma was used to this feeling. She thought there was nothing much to do at the office anyway. Thanks to Liam, she had someone to help her with everything when she went to work. Going to work was like a vacation.
So she slowly got up, had breakfast, and asked the driver, Matthew, to take her to work.
But halfway there, she received a text message.
It was from Isabella.
[Cousin, do you have time to see me? I have something to tell you.]
Emma's pretty face hesitated for a moment. Why would Isabella want to see her now?
After thinking for a while, Emma typed a few words.
[What's the matter? Where are you?]
When Isabella saw Emma's reply, she felt much more relaxed. She looked at the message coldly, without hesitation.
[I'm at the coffee shop across from your company now. Just a few words, won't take long.]
[Okay, I'll be right there.]
After replying to the text, Emma took her phone, opened her contacts, and her fingertip stopped on Liam's number page.
She was hesitating. Should she call or send a text to Liam?
Maybe he wasn't angry anymore. Maybe he was waiting for her call?
Just as she was about to press the dial button, Emma quickly pulled her finger back again. What if... when the phone connects, Liam greets her with cold words?
What if, with her clumsy mouth, she says something he doesn't like? What then?
What if...