The moment that thought crossed his mind, he wanted to slap himself. How could he doubt the woman he had raised and cared for all these years?
It's definitely not Amelia!
Shaking off his strange mood, Benjamin quickly found an excuse to leave. "I have some work to handle."
Amelia opened her mouth as if to speak, but in the end, she only let out a soft "Oh."
But Benjamin froze when he looked at her. Wanting to cheer her up, he reached out to touch her hair. "If going home is boring, how about I take you somewhere else?"
Amelia stepped forward two steps, dodging his hand. "We can hang out together when big brother gets back from his honeymoon."
That way, she could spend more time with Liam. She refused to believe her brother would fall for some magazine editor so quickly.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. In truth, she felt grateful that everything had gone so smoothly—even heaven didn't want her brother to marry Emma Johnson. Otherwise, how could she have gotten into a car accident right before the wedding and ended up in a coma for three days?
Benjamin awkwardly pulled his hand back. Was Amelia really just eager to play with Liam? Or was she giving herself a convenient excuse to watch him?
Thinking this, he lowered his head and said nothing more.
Seeing his silence, Amelia pretended to be carefree. "Actually, second brother, you could find someone to go on a honeymoon with too. You deserve your own happiness..."
Benjamin was stunned, then forced a laugh. He tapped Amelia's nose playfully. "We'll see what fate brings."
The person he was waiting for was standing right in front of him. Unfortunately, she didn't have him in her heart.
The sky gradually darkened, casting mottled shadows through the trees. The villa ahead seemed to turn into a stone sculpture, and the scent of Phalaenopsis orchids grew stronger in the air.
Amelia smiled at Benjamin. "Alright, let's leave it to fate..."
She turned her head and spotted Liam, already in his coat, ready to head out. She called out eagerly, "Big brother!"
Liam stopped in his tracks, his gaze shifting to them.
"Brother, are you going to the hospital?" Amelia asked, her steps lightening.
"Yeah." Liam's voice was clipped. He couldn't stop worrying about Emma.
Though a flicker of jealousy passed through Amelia, she wouldn't miss this opportunity. She nudged Benjamin beside her. "Second brother, let's go with big brother and see my sister-in-law!"
Benjamin looked at her with a gentle expression. "I said I have work to do. Go with big brother."
What Amelia really wanted was time alone with Liam. She immediately beamed, nodded, and stood beside him.
"Let's go." Liam didn't refuse.
As Amelia was about to get into the car, she realized she was still wearing her coat. Annoyed, she wondered when she had become so careless.
Seeing Liam empty-handed, she couldn't help asking, "Aren't you bringing anything for my sister-in-law?"
Taking advantage of the moment, Amelia quietly took off her coat and carefully tucked it away.
Liam stared at the scenery outside the car window, sneering inwardly. Someone had probably already sent food to Emma.
Amelia touched the tip of her nose. A faint smell of alcohol lingered in the car. Earlier, Liam had been drinking heavily upstairs.
Instead of answering Amelia's question, Liam said to Christopher, "Drive to the hospital."
Christopher had many things on his mind but didn't know how to say them. Should he remind his boss to bring food for his wife? Or that his boss hadn't eaten yet?
But with Miss Amelia here, it wasn't convenient.
The temperature inside the car was comfortable, and Amelia began to doze off. Within minutes, she was like a cat, nestling against Liam's shoulder.
During all those years abroad, she had never felt such peace.
No one knew the little thoughts hidden in her heart. It was like the sun couldn't break through a thousand mountains.
The car came to a smooth stop at the hospital entrance. Liam patted Amelia's shoulder. "Amelia, wake up."
Amelia opened her dazed, beautiful eyes, her heart full of sweetness. She nodded shyly, realizing she had been leaning on Liam's shoulder. She bounced off instinctively, her face flushing with a strange redness.
Even her voice seemed to carry a magical quality. "Big brother, I didn't know..." She hadn't realized she had fallen asleep, leaning on him without a care.
"It's fine. Let's go."
With that, Liam got out of the car. Standing outside, he said, "Put on my coat. It's cooler at night." Then he bent down to the car window and instructed Christopher, "You're off work."
"Yes, sir."
Amelia had been thinking about how to cover up, but Liam had already noticed.
She nodded awkwardly, quickened her steps, and walked side by side with him, though excitement still bubbled inside her.
The hospital corridor was empty, the smell of disinfectant filling the air. Liam quickened his pace.
Standing at the door of Emma's ward, Liam's hand paused on the doorknob. Amelia noticed his hesitation and guessed what was going on. Her brother and sister-in-law were having a fight.
Amelia quickly stopped Liam's movement. "Brother, do you have your wallet? Lend it to me."
Liam took out his wallet and placed it in her hand. Amelia hopped along. "Don't go in yet. Wait for me."
She bought a bunch of hyacinths from the flower shop near the hospital. When she opened the wallet to pay, she froze.
There was a photo of Emma tucked in the wallet's inner pocket. It looked like it was taken a few years ago—a bit worn. In it, Emma was smiling at the sky.
"Miss, that'll be one hundred and eighty-two dollars," the florist reminded her.
Amelia let out a flustered "Oh."
Her brother had said he only met his sister-in-law a month ago. So why did he have a photo from years ago?
Her long nails nearly dug into her palms. After paying, she felt like a frosted eggplant, her energy drained.
Liam leaned against the wall outside the ward, lost in thought. He suddenly regretted not bringing anything. Would Emma question him about why he hadn't brought food?
After a while, Amelia returned. Liam didn't notice her strange expression. Seeing the flowers in her hand, he paused, then led her into the ward.