Emma Johnson scrambled for a plausible excuse. She couldn't possibly tell Liam Williams that she'd been locked in her room because she wanted to sneak out to see Elijah Clark.
From Amelia White's perspective, she'd naturally side with her brother.
So Emma kept the truth to herself.
"Honestly, my brother is being completely unreasonable. Hold on, sis-in-law. I'll open the door for you right now."
Amelia's indignant words hung in the air. The next second, the lock clicked, and the door swung open. Emma let out a breath of pure relief.
"Thank you, Amelia."
Emma hugged her tightly, then quickly mumbled something about an urgent matter and dashed off without another word.
Amelia's gaze followed her until she disappeared down the staircase.
Emma arrived at Sunrise Manor and, sure enough, found the two men locked in a brutal confrontation, like gladiators in an arena. Her heart clenched with worry.
Watching the viciousness of their moves, Emma knew that rushing in would only get her hurt. Her clear eyes darted around, and then a sudden idea sparked.
"Ouch, my foot!"
Both Liam and Elijah heard her pained cry from a distance. They stopped simultaneously and turned. Elijah's reaction was a split second slower than Liam's. By the time he tried to rush over, Liam had already scooped Emma into his arms.
"I never said you couldn't leave. Emma, you're being incredibly stubborn."
Liam's voice was thick with reproach, but the worry in his eyes was unmistakable.
"Emma, where does it hurt?"
Elijah hurried forward too, his face softening from its earlier cruelty.
Emma feigned a wince, pretending her ankle was throbbing.
"I ran out in such a hurry that I twisted my ankle. It's nothing serious, just needs a rub. Elijah, I'm fine. Thank you for coming all this way. It's late now, you should head back."
Emma was worried. Even if Elijah had trained in sports, how could he possibly match Liam, a former special forces soldier?
A flicker of hurt crossed Elijah's eyes, but seeing that Emma, aside from the bandage on her forehead, seemed otherwise unharmed, he relented.
"I understand. Emma, you need to take better care of yourself, alright? Even if others don't, you still have me."
Elijah didn't care that Liam was right there, saying exactly what was on his mind. Emma's heart sank. She felt Liam's grip on her tighten and knew he was furious again.
"No one neglects me. My husband takes excellent care of me."
Emma fawned over Liam right in front of Elijah. Past experience had taught her a harsh lesson. If she didn't show her loyalty now, Liam wouldn't let her off easily once they were back inside Sunrise Manor.
Sure enough, the arms holding her loosened slightly. Liam seemed somewhat appeased by her words.
"Elijah, you're not dressed warmly enough. You should go back quickly. You're Mayor Reed's primary doctor now. If you catch a cold, there's no one to replace you."
Emma's tone was sisterly, full of concern. Elijah had no reason to stay, so he reluctantly agreed. He'd gotten the answer he wanted anyway, so he drove away from Sunrise Manor.
"Liam, let's go back too."
Emma tried to squirm out of his arms, but Liam held her tighter, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips.
"Didn't you sprain your ankle? As your husband, how could I let you walk back?"
For some reason, the moment Emma met his eyes, a wave of guilt washed over her. She turned her head away awkwardly, and her gaze landed on the grass by the roadside, where she heard a rustling sound.
"Liam, do you think there's a snake over there?"
Sunrise Manor occupied a vast area of land, surrounded by trees that formed a natural grove. It wasn't unusual for snakes from the mountain to wander nearby, though they rarely entered the manor itself.
Seeing the terrified look in his little wife's eyes, her body trembling in his arms, Liam couldn't help but follow her gaze. A squirrel scurried out from the bushes, holding a pinecone and nibbling on it.
"It's just a squirrel. I thought it was a snake. It scared me to death. Let's go back quickly. I'm feeling a bit cold."
Emma wrapped her arms around herself. She hadn't even had time to grab a coat.
Liam didn't delay any longer and carried her into Sunrise Manor. But just before stepping through the gate, he glanced back at the spot where the squirrel had been, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"Brother, sis-in-law, you're back."
Amelia was sitting in the living room watching TV. When she saw them return together, a dark glint flashed in her eyes, but her face was sweet and innocent.
"Mm."
Liam responded curtly, then gave her a pointed look.
"Amelia, stay out of things that don't concern you in the future, understand?"
Emma heard him redirecting his frustration at Amelia. She saw the hurt expression on Amelia's face.
"Liam, I asked her to open the door for me. Don't you dare blame Amelia."
"Sis-in-law, as long as I see you and my brother make up, that's all that matters."
When Liam heard Amelia's words, he looked at Emma with suspicion.
Emma's eyes darted away. She didn't know how to face Liam. It seemed this little woman had told Amelia they'd had a fight before he locked her in the room. She was really good at making up stories.
Liam let out a silent, amused snort but didn't bother to explain. He carried Emma upstairs.
Behind them, Amelia stood frozen in place. A maid approached with a glass of orange juice.
"Miss, your orange juice."
With a crash, the orange juice splattered onto the floor. The cup landed on the carpet.
"How clumsy are you? Go back and squeeze me a glass of mango juice instead. And remember, don't ever serve me orange juice again, got it?"
The maid stood there, bewildered. Amelia's eyes flickered to the spilled juice on the carpet, a deep disgust flashing in them. She then sat down on the sofa and gave the maid her orders.
"Yes, miss."
Liam carried Emma back to the bedroom. As soon as the door clicked shut, he tossed her onto the bed.