What was she supposed to do now? This was so embarrassing. Emma suddenly felt a wave of guilt, like she'd been caught red-handed doing something shameful.
Even though they were legally married.
"No... it's not what you think. I saw your chest was exposed, and I was worried you'd catch a cold. I just wanted to cover you up..." Emma's face flushed crimson as she stammered through her explanation.
"Then how do you explain touching my face, my lips, my throat?" Liam held back his smile, questioning her with a serious expression.
"I didn't... Wait... Were you awake the whole time?" Mortification washed over her. She'd thought he was still sleeping. How had he noticed everything? Damn it!
"For a soldier, hearing and touch are the most sensitive things. Would you believe me if I said I woke up the moment you first touched me? Silly wife, you need to practice your lying skills before trying them on me. Otherwise, it gets boring when I keep exposing you." Liam hit the nail on the head.
"You... you jerk." Knowing she was in the wrong, Emma chose not to argue further.
"You tease me first thing in the morning, wake me up, and then call me a jerk? What's the matter? Do you want to do some morning exercise with me?" Liam pulled her into his arms with gentle force, rubbing his chin back and forth against her forehead.
"Keep this up, and I'll sue you for domestic violence."
Liam was speechless.
This girl had learned a lot. She knew she couldn't sue her husband for harassment, but domestic violence? That was clearly flirting, wasn't it?
Liam reluctantly released the fierce little woman. "You're an educated person. Can we at least have some logic and basis when we talk from now on?"
"No!" Emma seized the opportunity to escape from his arms, jumped out of bed, made a playful face at him, then slipped into the bathroom.
"Take your time. I don't want to see you tempting me again this early in the morning."
Flat on her back? Had he seen her with that look in his eyes?
Emma spat out her mouthwash forcefully, washed her face with warm water, tied her hair into a casual ponytail, patted some toner onto her skin, changed her clothes, and left the room.
When Emma reached the kitchen, she was surprised to find Liam already washed up and sitting at the dining table with her parents, acting as if nothing had happened.
It turned out that when Liam had gotten up, he'd found the bathroom occupied by her, so he'd used the guest bathroom in the living room instead. That's why he'd finished before her.
Sophia noticed that her daughter seemed a bit off when she walked. "Emma, what's wrong with you? You don't look quite right."
"Nothing, Mom. I hurt my knee last night. It's fine." Emma said casually.
"What? You hurt your knee? Just one night, and it's already this intense? Liam, that's your fault. It's Emma's first time, you should be more careful in the future..." Sophia was about to continue when Emma interrupted her.
"Mom, where is your mind going? My knee is hurt because..."
Emma hesitated. She couldn't say she'd hurt her knee falling in the shower, because then she'd have to explain how he'd seen her.
Well, forget it. The more she explained, the worse it got.
Emma stopped talking, but Sophia continued, "Liam, you see, she's shy again. She doesn't understand anything. In the future, you'll have to teach her more, especially about the things between husband and wife..." Sophia rambled on in front of Emma and Liam, making Emma's face burn even more.
Liam looked like he was being properly instructed. "I understand, Mom. I'll be more careful in the future."
These two were really something. Emma sighed inwardly. How did she end up with such a bold mother and such a shameless husband?
Emma pressed her forehead and took a deep breath. "I'm full. I'll go first, or I'll be late for work." She got up and went to her room to grab her bag.
She'd only taken a few steps when Liam stopped her. "Wife, I'll drive you to work. It's on my way anyway."
"Yes, Emma, don't always act like this. Liam is patient. Don't bully him all the time." By now, Sophia thought everything Liam said and did was right.
Who was bullying whom? Emma complained silently in her heart.
Under her family's pressure, Emma could only nod in agreement.
So they walked out the door hand in hand. As soon as they reached the elevator, Emma threw off his hand. "Don't pretend to be a good person in front of my mother anymore, Liam. I've seen through your scheme for a long time. From now on, let's go our separate ways and have nothing to do with each other."
Liam chuckled. "Wife, it's only the second day of our marriage. Is this how you treat your new husband?"
"Liam, do you have any shame? You tricked me... You tricked me into marriage, understand?"
"What a pity. We already have the marriage certificate. What should we do about that?" Liam remained completely casual.
"Fine! I don't want to talk to you!" Emma angrily stepped into the elevator, ready to leave, but Liam caught up to her in two strides.
"Don't go!" Liam grabbed Emma's arm and said softly, "One year, Emma. Let's give each other one year. If you still can't accept me after that, then we'll get a divorce. What do you think?"
Emma was stunned. She turned her head and looked at Liam with wide eyes. "That's better. I hope we can live together peacefully during this year."
Liam nodded in agreement.
One year was enough. No matter how many secrets she had, no matter what her relationship was with him, Liam was confident he could find out everything.
Because they'd wasted so much time before heading to work, Emma checked the time and worried she'd be late. She asked Liam to drop her off at the company.
Along the way, they didn't say a single word. Both of them seemed lost in thought.
Strangely, Emma found this version of Liam unsettling. She couldn't help stealing glances at him and noticed he was driving with a completely expressionless face.
A man's heart... she really didn't have the energy to invest in Liam. Since he'd made that offer, she just wanted to get through this year safely.
After all, the person she still loved was Noah.
"Thanks for the ride. Goodbye, Liam." Emma said her farewell simply and clearly, unbuckled her seatbelt, and walked toward the company entrance without looking back.
At that moment, a smile finally appeared on Liam's handsome face. The curve of his lips deepened, carrying a hint of mischief. He quickly pulled out his phone from his pocket and skillfully dialed a series of numbers.
The call was answered almost immediately. It was a man's voice, one that had just been through military training. "Hello, Colonel. This is Alexander. Did you receive the photo I sent you last night?"