"It's none of your business."
Emma Johnson's voice turned icy cold. The moment he saw the look on her face, Liam Williams understood everything.
A surge of inexplicable anger ignited within him. He slammed the door shut, pressed Emma against it, and kissed her hard.
This kiss was different from all the others. It carried his fury and punishment, making Emma's mind go blank, forcing her to forget those absurd memories of the past.
Emma thought this would drag on forever. But unexpectedly, after a short while, Liam stopped. He gripped her shoulders tightly and warned her, his tone commanding, each word deliberate. "Emma Johnson, remember this. You are my woman. I won't allow you to think about any other man. Do you understand?"
Emma felt his fingers dig into her shoulders, but she could only nod helplessly. She had learned just how overbearing Liam could be. She knew when he was joking and when he was dead serious.
So now, nodding in agreement was her only option.
But did he really think he could control her mind?
Some people, when you say you won't think about them, do you really stop?
Some wounds, when you don't touch them, do they truly stop hurting?
Emma sighed inwardly, hurting for herself.
Noah Taylor. Even thinking of his name, in the middle of the night, still tore her heart apart.
Liam couldn't help but frown. Why had he lost his composure just now?
He didn't need to think hard to know who Noah Taylor was to her.
But why had he suddenly flown into a rage? Just because he had seen a trace of sadness in Emma's clear eyes?
...
At eight in the evening, the four of them sat happily around the dinner table. Emma, however, was clearly the outsider.
Sophia Johnson smiled as she placed a large piece of meat into Liam's bowl. "Liam, eat more meat. It'll give you strength."
Then she added a piece of fish. "And eat more fish. It's good for the brain."
"..." Emma was speechless. Sophia was practically dumping the entire table into Liam's bowl. Even her own mother wasn't this good to her. Damn it!
"Thank you, Mom." Liam raised a smile at the corner of his mouth and winked at Emma.
Emma looked down at her own bowl, then at Liam's. It was pure showing off and provocation!
"Mom, I'm your own daughter, you know? No matter how much you like Liam, you should at least show some restraint?"
How could she tolerate this? Was this how she was going to be treated from day one? Would she ever have any standing in this house?
Emma looked at Sophia, dissatisfied.
"You girl, what do you know? I'm just showing my son-in-law some love. Liam, don't mind her. My daughter has a bad temper, she's a bit thin, and she has a sharp tongue. She's focused on her work. Other than that, she's fine."
Emma, "..."
"Other than that"? What did "other than that" even mean? Mom, is it really appropriate to make me sound so worthless?
After hearing what Sophia said, Liam couldn't help but laugh. "It's okay, Mom. I'll take care of my wife anyway."
As he said this, he deliberately looked Emma up and down. She really was a bit thin. The big places weren't big, and the small places... well, they were very small too.
"What are you looking at? Eat your food." Emma glared at him viciously and said in a low voice.
Well, she really was fierce.
Liam always played the role of a generous and gentle son-in-law in front of his in-laws. "I'll listen to my wife, Mom. I think Emma is great. Yeah... she's great." As he said this, Liam squinted at a certain part of Emma's chest.
"Liam, Mom knows you're kind and considerate, but don't spoil her too much. I'm afraid you'll spoil her." Although Sophia said this, she was happy inside.
"Alright, I know. Dad, Mom, don't worry. Emma is with me now. I won't let anyone bully her."
What?
Won't let anyone bully her?
That was a joke. Who in the world bullied Emma Johnson the most besides Liam Williams?
"Hmph..." Emma snorted coldly and said without expression, "Are you full, Liam? If you're full, you've seen everyone you need to see. Should I take you back now?"
Just as Liam was about to say something, James Johnson interrupted. "Girl, this is your first day of marriage. If you separate on your wedding night, how will you live together later?"
"That's right. Why are you being so unreasonable? Liam, listen to your father. Stay home tonight." Sophia and James were a perfect match.
"No. Liam can't stay tonight." Emma put down her chopsticks heavily, expressing her firm opposition.
"This family has the final say. How dare you not listen to me?" Sophia was getting a little anxious seeing her daughter so unreasonable.
... Are you sure this is your mother?
Emma was about to vomit blood. Was her mother so eager to see her devoured by Liam without a trace?
"Mom, I'll listen to you. I won't leave tonight. Emma is probably shy. Deep down, she wants me to stay. She's just too embarrassed to say it. Right, honey?" Seeing her angry little face turn red, Liam found her so cute that he couldn't help reaching out and pinching her chin.
Emma couldn't take it anymore. After a long internal struggle, she blurted out, "You're shameless..." She turned her head and saw James and Sophia staring at her with eager eyes.
Emma realized she had slipped up. To avoid raising her parents' suspicions, she gritted her teeth and added, "But, Liam, I like this shameless side of you."
After hearing this, the other three at the table showed satisfied smiles. Sophia really couldn't stand the way her daughter always bullied Liam. "Emma, he's your husband now. Watch your mouth in the future. Do you want me to teach you the virtues of a good wife?"
Emma, "..."
God, help!
Overnight, she had gone from a beautiful single woman to a married one, and her status in the family seemed to have changed from a little princess to a miserable outsider.
"I'm full." Emma got up and walked to her room, her mind filled with images of Liam eating her tofu and taking advantage of her in every possible way.
Spending the night in the same room with someone like that was just not practical.