With those words, Liam threw the showerhead aside. He couldn't bear to look at her any longer and strode out of the bathroom, though a dull ache throbbed in his chest.
Emma hugged her knees tightly, the cold water from earlier still dripping down her skin. Compared to Liam's cruel words, the temperature of the water meant nothing.
She hesitated, debating whether to call out to him, to explain. But before she could speak, his figure had already disappeared from sight.
Emma buried her face in her knees and sobbed quietly.
All the sadness, the grievance, the pain—she had to bear it all alone.
Liam Williams, you jerk. All you know is how to bully me!
Liam walked out of the bedroom and headed straight for the study.
He didn't want to look at Emma again. Not even a glance.
A woman like her made him lose control, turning him into someone he didn't recognize.
Who could understand the pain and anger burning inside him?
When Liam pushed open the study door, he found the light already on. Benjamin was sitting at his desk, legs crossed, reviewing the documents Liam had given him earlier.
Liam paused, his expression unchanged—still dark and brooding. He closed the door behind him, walked over to the sofa, and sat down heavily. He grabbed a cigarette from the table, lit it, and took a long drag, letting the smoke calm his racing thoughts.
Benjamin looked up, surprised. His brother's face was pale, his clothes and trousers soaked through.
This is the first time I've seen him like this.
He put down the papers, stood up, and poured Liam a glass of hot water. "What's wrong, big brother? You don't look good. Doesn't seem like you're enjoying married life at all."
Liam didn't answer. He took another drag, the harsh smoke filling his lungs, bringing a bitter, stinging pleasure.
Benjamin studied him closely, then noticed his hands. They were covered in blood. That's an understatement. "What happened to your hands? Your shirt is stained too. You're usually so clean, so particular about hygiene... Did something happen today?"
Benjamin shook his head, fetched the first-aid kit, and carefully cleaned and bandaged Liam's wounds. Liam didn't resist. His hands felt numb, lifeless.
They must have had a fight. After all, there aren't many people who can get under my proud brother's skin.
Benjamin sighed inwardly. "If you've vented, yelled, and fought, and you still can't let go, big brother, maybe you should open your eyes and try to understand and accept. Or, like me, go out and blow off some steam. Maybe you'll feel better. Keeping it all bottled up will only make you sick." He patted Liam on the shoulder, then lazily walked out of the study, hands in his pockets.
He was right, of course. But Liam still couldn't let go. He couldn't stop worrying about Emma—whether she had gotten out of the bathroom, whether she had changed into dry clothes, whether she was comfortably tucked into bed.
Why, after everything she did, do I still think about her? Why do I still care?
Half an hour later, Liam finally calmed down. He stood up slowly and walked back to the bedroom.
The bed was empty. His heart tightened. He strode quickly to the bathroom. Emma was curled up in a corner, her head buried in her knees.
His fists clenched for several minutes.
Is she trying to punish me? To fight me to the end?
The fragile calm he had regained shattered. Rage surged back.
"Emma, do you think you haven't made me angry enough?" His voice was ice-cold.
Emma lifted her head abruptly. Her clear, bright eyes were filled with tears. She sobbed, "I'm sorry, Liam. I didn't mean to..."
She bit her trembling lip and continued, "I did look for you tonight, but I couldn't find you anywhere. Then I ran into Noah. He said he had something to tell me, so... that's why I went with him. But I never expected him to do that... I'm sorry."
As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.
Liam finally heard what she had been trying to say. His heart began to soften. He walked over slowly, knelt beside her, and lifted her chin with his hand, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Do you still love him? Is that why you pleaded for him?"
Emma shook her head frantically. "No! It's not like that. I was just worried about your hand. You've done so much for me, and I keep causing you trouble. I'm sorry... I don't want to see you get hurt because of me anymore, Liam..."
Every word, every expression, came straight from her heart. She didn't know why she always made a mess of things. She had appeared so humiliated in front of his friends and so many people tonight. She understood why he was angry.
Emma raised her hand to wipe her tears, but they wouldn't stop. They flowed like a broken faucet.
Her heart ached even more. Whenever something went wrong, she could only cry alone.
But every time she was in danger, Liam was always there, standing up for her, breaking his heart for her.
Emma looked at him with pitiful eyes, then reached out and gently held his right hand.
This time, he didn't push her away.
Her fingertips were cold, but her touch was soft, electrifying.
Hearing her words, Liam felt a sharp pang in his chest.
Hearing her say that... all my anger just vanished. All that's left is heartache and pity.
Even if she was lying, even if she said it only because she was afraid of him, Liam felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.
His warm hand stroked her wet cheek. His cold, thin lips covered her pale, trembling ones.
In that moment, Liam wanted to devour this woman, to melt her into his very being.
For a long time, Emma accepted his almost frantic kiss. Liam knelt on one knee, holding her cold cheeks in both hands, not giving her a chance to breathe.
Even though her whole body was wet and cold, even though she had angered him again and again, even though she might not feel anything for him at all...
Despite all of that, Liam kissed her without hesitation, his lips lingering on hers.
Every time Liam kissed her, it was so unexpected, so possessive, so lingering...
Emma's mind replayed those images over and over. Every time she faced danger, he was the first to rush out, shielding her behind him, afraid she would get hurt.
His dominance, his gentleness, his anger, and his unreasonableness—all of it made her heart race.
He was different from Noah. Noah always said he loved Emma, but in the end, he had no idea what love really meant.
Liam never said he liked Emma, but he was always the first to stand up for her when it mattered.
It was as if he was the one who had come, riding on a rainbow cloud, to marry her.