Liam Williams slowly raised his index finger, a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked at Emma Johnson.
"I'm fine, Elijah. If there's nothing else, you should leave now. Don't worry about me."
Emma just didn't want to drag him into this any further. Her problems with Liam were somehow pulling others in, and it seemed impossible to explain. Besides, a madman like Liam might do something unpredictable to Elijah.
"Emma, what time is it? Are you still defending him? He doesn't love you at all..." Elijah couldn't hold back any longer and shouted loudly.
"How do you know that? Emma is my wife. Who else would I love if not her?"
This answer, delivered without a hint of hesitation, was enough to drive Elijah insane.
Elijah said nothing more. He raised his fist and slammed it into Liam's hateful face.
Liam was caught off guard by the sudden punch. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but instead of the anger one might expect, a faint smile curled on his sensual lips. He reached up and wiped the blood away with his thumb.
In an instant.
His eyes turned icy cold. He raised his arm and swung it at Elijah's body.
Suddenly, they were locked in a fight right in front of Emma.
Doctors and nurses rushed in from outside at the commotion, but no one dared to step in and stop them.
Emma saw the situation spiraling out of control. She quickly got up, not even bothering to put on her shoes. If no one intervened, the consequences would be dire—one of them might end up dead or seriously injured.
Emma tried to pull them apart, but Liam paid her no attention. No matter how hard she tugged at his clothes, he wouldn't stop.
Helpless, she turned and grabbed Elijah's arm with all her might, trying to stop them from continuing.
Elijah paused his movements, but Liam's fist came flying at him hard.
Elijah turned around, shielding Emma in his arms, taking the punch on his own body.
In that moment, Liam realized his impulsiveness. He had almost hurt Emma again.
If Elijah hadn't blocked it, that fist would have landed on Emma.
Everyone in the room gasped.
Liam stared coldly at the two people in front of him.
Elijah held Emma tightly, and she looked at Liam with horror in her eyes. There was no trace of tenderness in her gaze.
She pushed Elijah away and walked over to Liam, her face full of anger. "Liam, is that enough? For the last time, our problems have nothing to do with Elijah. It's all my fault. If you want to fight or yell, take it out on me..."
"Fine." Liam sneered, glancing at Elijah standing behind Emma. He found the whole situation ridiculous.
What did they think they were doing?
Showing off their deep affection for each other in front of him? Acting like a loving couple?
Elijah took a punch for her, and Emma was defending an outsider?
Liam lowered his head, lifted Emma's chin with his hand, and said in a sarcastic tone, "Emma, don't forget who your husband is. Shouldn't you be on my side right now?"
She could see the restraint and anger in his eyes.
After that, Liam pinched her chin hard, shot one last look at Elijah, and walked out of the room.
Emma turned to watch his retreating figure. She wanted to explain, but she realized she had already said everything she could countless times. Liam had never believed her—not even once.
His cold, lonely back was still so handsome, but Emma's heart instantly grew cold.
This was it.
She had ruined the wedding, and now she had embarrassed Liam in front of so many people at the hospital.
He was a vengeful man. He wouldn't let her off easily.
And Elijah...
Thinking of this, Emma's eyes moved to Elijah. She saw the bruise on his face and the blood at the corner of his mouth.
Guilt flooded her heart. If it weren't for her, Elijah wouldn't have been hurt so innocently.
"Elijah... I'm sorry about today..." Emma hesitated.
"Why are you apologizing to me? It's not like you hurt me. And Emma, don't say those three words to me anymore. I'm willing to do anything for you. You know that, right?" Elijah endured the pain at the corner of his mouth and forced a charming smile.
"Lie down first and let the doctor check on you. Does the wound still hurt? Actually, I've wanted to come see you for a while, but I've been busy with the entry procedures these past two days and haven't had time..." Elijah reached out to help Emma back to the bed, speaking softly.
"Entry procedures? So, this is the hospital where you work?" Emma widened her eyes, asking curiously.
She had heard of Elijah before—he was supposedly the chief neurosurgeon at a city hospital.
So, it was true?
"Yeah, we can see each other every day until you're discharged. Are you happy?" A warm smile spread across Elijah's handsome face.
But Emma only felt strange hearing that. "Who would be stupid enough to want to stay in a place like this every day? Besides, you shouldn't show up anywhere Liam might be in the future, and don't say anything reckless. Otherwise, he'll always hold a grudge against you. You understand?"
How could Elijah not understand what Emma was saying?
From the moment he first met Liam, the man's eyes had been full of caution and disgust.
More than just a grudge.
"Why? Are you that afraid of him? Even if you're married to Liam, you're his wife, not his plaything. He can't just manipulate and command you at will."
At least, in Elijah's opinion, a real marriage and true love shouldn't be like this.
Every time he saw how Liam treated Emma—so indifferent and cold...
And today, he had witnessed such a violent side of him. If Elijah hadn't shown up in time, things could have gone too far.
Emma sighed silently in her heart. There were so many things she couldn't say. Her relationship and marriage with Liam were absurd.
Every time she heard Liam's sarcasm, she almost wanted to leave that dangerous man immediately.
No hesitation, no turning back.
But...
Fate always liked to play tricks on her. Liam was like a disaster she couldn't escape.
Unless, a year later.