"So, my wedding with Liam is off?" The thought hit her, and a wave of disappointment washed over her.
Even though they weren't marrying for love, they had poured so much effort into planning this grand celebration.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. Liam said the wedding is only postponed. Once you're healed, he'll still make you the most beautiful bride in the world."
Emma Johnson found no comfort in those words.
How many times had this happened now?
She always seemed to cause trouble for Liam at the worst possible moment.
First, the press conference for Milan Fashion House.
Now, this, right before their wedding.
Liam must be at his wit's end.
Just then, the door to the room swung open, drawing everyone's attention.
Liam Williams' tall, handsome figure appeared in the doorway.
His face was unreadable, making it impossible to guess his mood.
Was it disgust? Impatience?
His gaze lingered on her for two seconds. Then, he walked over to Sophia and James Johnson, speaking softly. "Mom, Dad, you've been up all night. Leave her to me. I'll take good care of her."
Sophia nodded, even though she still had so much to say to her daughter.
But she figured the couple needed some time alone.
"Alright, we'll head home now. Liam, take good care of my girl."
With that, she pulled James out of the ward.
Olivia Davis and Mia Lewis also found excuses to leave the room.
Soon, only Liam and Emma remained in the quiet space.
Emma's pale face was etched with guilt and anxiety. Seeing the tight line of Liam's lips, she knew she had really messed up this time.
"Liam, I'm so sorry... I..." she started, but found she could only repeat those three words.
Liam glanced at her without answering. Instead, he walked to the window and pulled open the light blue curtains.
Warm sunlight streamed through the bright glass, falling onto her bed. Emma squinted, watching his straight back.
Her eyes were filled with tenderness and helplessness.
After a long moment, Liam finally turned and walked back to her.
His gloomy expression and cold eyes instantly froze the air around them.
It was a beautiful day, but Emma felt a chill creeping down her spine.
"What good does saying sorry do? Do you realize that if something serious had happened to you this time, how would I explain it to your parents? And more importantly, why did you go see Elijah? Were you planning to run away with him before the wedding?" Liam's voice was flat, devoid of warmth.
Any time, but right before the wedding?
Why did it have to be now?
"I'm sorry. I didn't expect this to happen. It's just... none of this has anything to do with Elijah. It was my fault. I wasn't paying attention when I crossed the road."
It seemed like every time Elijah was mentioned, Liam got angry.
Emma found it strange. Liam had been hostile toward Elijah from the very beginning.
Like now, when the accident clearly had nothing to do with him.
Was Liam still upset because she went to see Elijah and got into a car accident?
And what was all this about running away?
Emma had never even thought about that!
"I didn't say anything about him. Why are you so eager to defend him?" Liam's anger flared. Hearing her words felt like fuel on a fire.
Emma fell silent, staring at him with wide eyes, biting her lip.
Answering his questions was wrong.
But staying quiet only made him angrier.
His deep eyes bore into her, filled with doubt and fury.
Their gazes met in the tense silence, but Emma felt completely lost.
Liam's anger grew. For three days, he had been terrified, staying by her side almost every hour.
Seeing her lying on the road, covered in blood, had felt like his heart was being ripped out.
He had spent the longest three days of his life in this hospital.
And now, the first thing Emma said was to defend Elijah?
What was going on in her head?
Just then, the door creaked open.
A petite nurse, Sophie, peeked in. She took one look at Liam's face and was immediately intimidated by his terrifying expression.
"Mr. Williams, I'm here to change Miss Johnson's bandages," she said quietly.
Emma looked at the nurse like she was a savior, her eyes filled with gratitude.
This was the perfect excuse to break the awkward tension in the room.
Sophie walked over to Emma gently, setting down the gauze and medicine. She looked Emma up and down with bright eyes. "Miss Johnson, you look much better. The attending doctor said you only need to stay for two more days. If everything's fine, you can go home to recover."
"That's good to hear," Emma said, looking down. Her injuries weren't that serious. Her right foot had been hit, but luckily, the bone wasn't broken.
Her left elbow was wrapped in thick gauze, but it didn't hurt much.
It was just that her head had been aching since she woke up.
Emma reached up and touched the edge of the wound on her forehead, wincing in pain.
"Miss Johnson, let me change your bandages first. Then, as per Mr. Williams' request, I'll give you a full check-up this afternoon."
"But the doctor said I'm fine. Why do I need a full check-up?" Emma was surprised. Before she could finish, she looked up at Liam.
"Don't worry, Miss Johnson. You've already been checked twice, and your health is fine. But Mr. Williams insisted, so..."
Sophie blinked her big eyes and continued, "Mr. Williams is really thoughtful."
"Oh, I see..." Emma didn't know how to respond.
Was Liam really that good to her?
But from what she had seen...
He had been unconscious for three days, only to wake up to his cold accusations and anger.
This man's suspicion and rage left her with nothing but humble apologies.
Thoughtful? She wasn't so sure.