Emma was lost in her thoughts until a sharp sting on her forehead jolted her back.
"Ouch... that hurts..." she murmured, instinctively raising her hand to touch her brow.
The young nurse hadn't expected such a strong reaction. Startled, she bowed her head and apologized repeatedly. "Miss Johnson, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to press hard. I was just trying to remove the gauze..."
Despite the pain, Emma realized she had frightened the nurse. "It's fine. Please continue. I can handle it."
"Yes, ma'am..."
The nurse carefully prepared to resume tending to the wound.
But before her fingers could even touch Emma's forehead, a cold, furious voice cut through the room. "Is this the standard of care at the biggest hospital in the city? Hiring nurses like you?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Williams. I'll be more careful. I apologize."
"I didn't ask for your apology. I asked how long you've worked here." Liam had grown to despise the word "sorry." Emma seemed to say it to him more than anyone else.
He paused, shooting a sharp glance at Emma.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Williams. I... I've been here for three months!"
"Three months? An intern?" Liam's brow furrowed. The hospital had assigned an intern to care for his wife. What negligence!
"I... I know I made a mistake. Please don't tell the director. I'll change. I promise I'll do better." The young nurse's eyes glistened with tears.
Emma frowned, watching the nurse. Summoning her courage, she spoke gently. "Please step out for now. It's alright. Mr. Williams is just overly concerned about me. I'll talk to him. You can go."
She didn't want an innocent person caught in the crossfire of her and Liam's issues.
The nurse glanced at Emma, then cautiously at Liam, whose expression was icy. She opened her mouth, then quietly left with her head down.
Silence stretched between them.
Emma swallowed and spoke first. "Liam, if you're angry, take it out on me. Don't drag others into this."
"Do you really think I'm making a fuss over nothing? I'm just stating facts. Everyone must face the consequences of their mistakes. What, am I wrong? If they had assigned an experienced nurse..." Liam said dismissively.
He wasn't usually a difficult person. But when it came to Emma, everything changed.
He couldn't bear to see her hurt. Watching her wince in pain, hearing her say "I can handle it," infuriated and pained him. He didn't know how to express it, so he vented on the innocent nurse.
"You're just taking it out on another girl. I'm the one who got hurt. I didn't say anything. Why are you so worked up?" Emma's eyes widened, her voice rising unconsciously. "This is my business. Please don't use your powerful connections to ruin someone else's future."
"Your business? Emma Johnson, let me make this clear. Your business is my business. And you... you're mine. Do you think I have no right to interfere?"
"Liam, you're being unreasonable! We haven't even had a wedding yet. And even if we do get married, our relationship is fake. The contract clearly states we don't interfere in each other's private lives. I'm not your personal property, and I'm not a doll for you to control!" Emma didn't know where she found the courage, but she let it all out.
"The contract? You still remember that? If you took that so-called contract seriously, our wedding would have happened three days ago. But you disobeyed me and ran off to meet another man. And you still have the nerve to talk about your private life?" The veins on Liam's forehead bulged. His handsome features twisted into a terrifying, gloomy mask.
Emma was stunned by his words.
What? Meeting another man?
Ridiculous.
Was that how Liam saw her? As someone so despicable?
She was momentarily speechless, unsure how to communicate with him.
She sighed and lowered her head. Her pale, slender fingers intertwined. The pain from her wound still throbbed, but now the ache in her heart felt even worse.
"Liam, I don't want to talk to you right now. Please leave." Emma tried to keep her voice calm.
There was no point in continuing like this.
But Liam never expected her to order him out.
The anger in his chest was about to explode. He stormed over to her bed and grabbed her pale wrist. "What? I hit a nerve? Are you angry because I'm right?"
His domineering attitude left Emma helpless.
"I didn't. How many times do I have to tell you to believe me? Elijah and I are just friends. Don't assume everyone is as dirty as you think!" Emma almost shouted.
But because of her injuries, her outburst seemed weak in Liam's eyes.
"Why should I believe you? How long have we known each other, Emma? Why should I trust you?" Liam said through gritted teeth.
His expression was almost demonic.
What more could Emma say?
She endured the sharp pain in her wrist, her clear eyes filled with disdain and despair. "If that's the case, why did you marry me? Why not take this chance to announce a breakup? Let's go to the courthouse and change the certificate. I never wanted to leave a good impression on you anyway. The engagement, the contract, the wedding—it's all nonsense. I think we should let each other go as soon as possible. Don't you agree, Mr. Williams?"
For the first time, Emma spoke so firmly.
For the first time, she was so determined to leave Liam—this terrifying, suspicious man.