Chapter 52 Why Didn’t You Call Me?
Nighttime.
The clatter of keys on a keyboard echoed from the study, waking her up.
With a headache, her throat swollen and sore, she called out drowsily, “Liam…”
In her haze, she saw a figure approaching.
Then a large, cool hand pressed soothingly against her forehead.
Soon, she was propped up against the bed, her forehead resting against his solid chest.
“Water…” she murmured.
A straw touched her lips.
She sucked desperately, feeling a flicker of energy return.
“So hot…” She lifted her heavy eyelids and saw two family doctors standing by the bed.
Their muffled, indistinct conversation filled the air.
After a while, he lay beside her, enveloping her body.
She reached out and hugged him, burying her face in his chest.
It wasn’t until four in the morning that she finally fell into a peaceful sleep.
⸻
At two in the afternoon, she woke up.
After a shower, she headed downstairs in her pyjamas.
Halfway down the stairs, she saw the first floor packed with company executives.
!!!
Hearing the patter of slippers from above, all eyes turned toward her.
She froze, unsure whether to go up or down.
Whispers began to stir downstairs.
“Continue,” Liam commanded before walking toward Emma.
Ryan took over his duties beside him.
Before she could react, Liam was already in front of her.
“Feeling better?” He took her hand and led her toward the dining room.
“Yeah, much better.” She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it tighter.
Wasn’t he angry last night?
How could his mood shift so quickly?
“Start with some vegetable soup. Then take your medicine. The doctor will check on you later,” he said.
“Did I interrupt you guys?” she asked.
“Not at all.” He guided her to a chair, fetched a bowl of vegetable soup from the kitchen, and placed it in front of her.
The group in the meeting turned to look at them.
Her face burned under their stares.
Only after he’d arranged everything she needed did he return to the meeting.
She watched him while sipping the soup.
Just then, Liam’s gaze met hers, catching her radiant smile.
Her heart pounded fiercely.
He quickly averted his gaze and returned to work.
After finishing her bowl of soup, she poured herself a little more.
⸻
Claire messaged: \[Feeling better?\]
Emma: \[Much better.\]
Claire: \[Why the sudden fever?\]
\[Liam had bought a house for Celeste.\]
Emma: \[None of my business.\]
⸻
The family doctor arrived and examined Emma in her room.
“Drink plenty of water and get some good rest. You’re mostly fine now,” he said, rising to leave.
“Wait, Dr. Julian. Please check whether Liam’s caught a cold. His voice sounds strange,” she chimed in.
“Yeah, that’s right. Didn’t he tell you what he did yesterday?”
What did he do? She was baffled.
“Mr. Hayes took four or five cold showers, fifteen minutes each, then held you until you fell asleep.”
She froze, guilt welling up inside her.
…
After the checkup, she followed the doctor downstairs.
Only Liam remained in the living room, resting on the sofa. He had one hand braced against the armrest, pressing his temples, and the other holding his glasses.
Emma approached and crouched down.
She gently took his glasses from his hand and placed them on the table.
Then, she took a blanket from the other sofa and draped it over his knees.
However, it jolted him awake.
He slowly lifted his eyelids to look at her.
“Do you want to go upstairs and rest?” she asked softly, uneasy under his gaze.
“Come here.” He reached out to take her hand and pulled her over.
She sat sideways on his lap as he held her carefully.
“You’re sick,” she said, sounding tense. His hair brushed her neck, tickling.
“Just a minor cold. I’ll be fine tomorrow.”
“I’ll walk you upstairs.”
“No need. This is fine.” He insisted, holding her close.
After a while, he murmured, “Why didn’t you call me?”
“Am I not good enough?” Liam asked, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
“You said you’d be busy, and I didn’t dare disturb you, afraid…” Emma tried to explain.
“Afraid of what?” He pressed.
Afraid you’d be angry?
After all, a CEO should spend time making money, not on romance.
But you seemed to be free yesterday—free enough to buy another woman a house.
The thought made her heart tighten.
“I was afraid you’d be exhausted. Busy with outside commitments, right?”
She sneered, irritation surging through her.
She hadn’t married him for romance anyway. It was better not to make things harder for herself.
Sensing her unspoken thoughts, he pinned her to the sofa.
Just as his mouth claimed hers, a knock on the door interrupted them.
“Sir, Celeste is at the door,” Arthur said, standing in the doorway.
“…”
Liam looked at Emma, who lay confused in his arms.
“Want to see her?” he asked.
“No, I’m tired.”
“Wait for me in the bedroom.” He nodded and kissed her lips.
“…”
She slowly rose and headed upstairs.
He casually slapped her butt.
She glared at him shyly and quickened her pace.
He chuckled as he picked up his glasses from the table and put them on.
Leaning lazily against the sofa, the top three buttons of his shirt undone, he revealed a sharp collarbone.
His belt hung loosely at his waist, and his shirttail was pulled free from his trousers.
Traces of Emma’s earlier touch still lingered on his collarbone.
“Let her in,” he said lightly.
“Yes.”
Celeste wore a wool coat over a blouse and pencil skirt—a style similar to Emma’s.
“Need something?” Liam asked, not even glancing at her, his brow furrowed.
“I came to apologize to Emma. Last night, I accidentally took her luggage…” She murmured.
“Emma isn’t that petty.”
Her expression stiffened.
“Where is she?” she asked.
“Upstairs. She was tired last night.” He replied, impatience evident in his tone.
“I need Emma’s help, Liam. I’m unfamiliar with the area and haven’t even bought furniture yet,” Celeste said softly, looking at him.
“I’ll have Daniel arrange it.”
“Daniel’s a man. Girls understand girls better,” she hurried to explain. “I also want to take her out to dinner and apologize properly. Liam…”
He could see straight through her.
Still, he nodded. “I’ll ask Emma later.”
“Thanks, Liam!” Celeste forced a smile.
Just you wait, Emma. I’ll make sure to torment you properly.