Dr. Julian Moore finished checking on Emma Johnson and confirmed she was fine. She had slept in bed for the entire afternoon.
When she woke up, it was already dark outside.
"Ma'am, you're awake."
Charlotte Harris stood by the bed, holding a tray with a glass of water and a small box of pills. These were the medications Dr. Moore had prescribed for Emma.
Emma stared at the dozens of pills in the small box and immediately pulled the covers up, trying to escape.
"Can I take them later?"
She tried to negotiate with Charlotte, hoping to buy herself some time.
"But ma'am, you need to take these half an hour before dinner. And dinner is almost ready."
Charlotte looked apologetic.
Emma sighed in defeat.
When Liam Williams walked into the room, he saw Emma swallowing the pills with the determination of a warrior, her face twisted in discomfort. A soft smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"It's just medicine. Is it really that painful?"
"You think everyone is like you—a soldier who can chew on scorpions like candy."
Emma took a sip of water and looked at Liam. But that single glance was like a spark to dry grass, and the warmth in Liam's deep eyes began to intensify.
She had changed into a nightgown while sleeping. She wasn't exactly a peaceful sleeper, and now, still groggy from waking up, she didn't even realize that the strap on her collar had slipped, revealing most of her shoulder.
Her porcelain-white skin was as smooth as a baby's, her collarbone delicate and alluring. Even the loose nightgown couldn't hide her graceful figure.
In truth, compared to Isabella Miller, who was a model, Emma had far more to offer. She just wasn't used to wearing sexy clothes.
Even in her late twenties, she often wore T-shirts and jeans, easily mistaken for a college freshman.
Emma noticed Liam's gaze fixed on her. She looked down and realized she was practically exposed. Flustered and angry, she quickly covered her chest with her hands.
"Pervert! Where are you looking?"
Charlotte stared at her mistress in disbelief. She couldn't believe how bold Emma was—calling the young master a pervert.
In all of Silverdale, Emma was probably the only one who dared to do that. As Charlotte quietly slipped out of the room, she couldn't help but light a small candle for her mistress.
"Pervert?"
Liam's low voice was dangerously magnetic. Emma felt a shiver run down her spine and immediately regretted what she had said. She wished she could sew her mouth shut with a needle and thread.
But she couldn't actually say that out loud.
"You—don't come any closer."
Emma watched Liam approach and quickly warned him.
But Liam didn't seem to care at all.
"Don't forget, we're legally married. Whatever happens between us is perfectly natural."
His thin lips were almost pressed against her ear, his voice a low murmur that sent a tingling sensation through her entire body. She tried to get up, but found herself completely weak.
This Liam Williams was a disaster. She remembered the first time she saw him in the bathroom—his model-like physique, the strength of a soldier, and the perfect texture of his skin.
Emma silently scolded herself. When had she become such a pervert?
Shaking her head, she pushed Liam away and stood up.
"We may be husband and wife, but don't forget our agreement is still legally binding."
Liam's eyes cooled slightly, but his smile became even more dangerous.
"Brother, sister-in-law, dinner is ready! Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to see anything."
Just as Liam's broad hand was about to touch Emma's face, Amelia White's voice rang out from the doorway.
Emma pushed Liam aside, her face burning even hotter.
"The door was open, so I thought I could come in. I'm really sorry. I'll go downstairs first. You two can come down soon. Don't keep Father waiting too long."
Amelia finished speaking and left the door, leaving it wide open instead of closing it.
Seeing how friendly Amelia was acting, Emma wondered if there was something wrong with her eyes. She had been crying this morning, and now Amelia was calling her "sister-in-law."
This Amelia White didn't seem like a simple girl. Maybe she had decided to hide her dislike for Emma.
Emma didn't want to dwell on it. She grabbed her clothes and went to the dressing room, then headed downstairs with Liam.
Henry Williams's face was slightly displeased, clearly because Emma had come down late.
"Good, you're here. Let's eat."
Henry gave a brief order, and the servants began bringing out the food.
He was genuinely dissatisfied with his daughter-in-law, but since the marriage was already a done deal, there was no point in saying more.
If it weren't for the fact that his eldest son insisted on marrying this Emma Johnson, and he wanted a grandchild soon, he would have been much more careful about this union.
Emma didn't dare to be rude to her elders, but she couldn't get used to the atmosphere at the dinner table. She thought of her own small family, where every meal was filled with warmth and laughter. She missed that so much.
"Brother, this is your favorite sweet and sour fish. I made it myself. Tell me, is it as good as the chef's?"
Amelia placed a piece of fish on Liam's plate. Liam gave her a brief compliment, and Amelia beamed as if she had been given the world.
"I can't believe you love sweet and sour fish."
Emma hadn't paid much attention to Liam's eating habits. She thought he didn't have any particular preferences.
"What, sister-in-law? Big brother has loved sweet and sour fish since he was a child. How come you don't know that, since you're married to him?"
Amelia looked surprised. Emma noticed Henry's expression souring even more.
She realized she had said something wrong, and in front of her father-in-law, no less.
"I never told your sister-in-law, so of course she wouldn't know."
Liam was clearly defending Emma. Amelia looked disappointed, but quickly put on a happy smile and served a plate of food to Henry. She cracked jokes and kept the old man entertained, eventually making him laugh.
Emma had to admire Amelia's skill at playing the doting daughter. At the same time, a warning bell went off in her heart. It seemed this little sister-in-law wasn't going to be easy to get along with.
Even though it was only a year, it felt like it was going to be a long road ahead.