Chapter 55 Feeling Sorry for Liam
Kisses rained down from her forehead to the tip of her nose, then to her lips.
His hold at her waist tightened, anchoring her in place.
Her hands slid to his shoulders; without thinking, she leaned into him, into the shelter and weight of his body.
With a muffled groan, he entered her.
The room filled with heavy panting and the steady sway of the mattress beneath them.
When they finally climaxed together, he held her tightly, burying his face in the crook of her neck, moaning in satisfaction.
…
He brushed her hair behind her ear, planted a warm kiss on her forehead, and gently patted her back.
“My good girl…”
⸻
Early the next morning:
The hospital called Liam; Celeste had woken up.
“It scared me to death, Liam…” She clutched his hand, sobbing.
He frowned and pulled his hand away.
“Thank goodness you were here…” Tears and mucus streamed down her face as she cried.
“Stop crying and rest. You just woke up.” He turned away and went to call Ryan.
Watching his retreating figure, Celeste smiled faintly.
Knowing Daniel and Oliver were both away on business, she had deliberately fainted—just to pull Liam back to her side.
⸻
Emma stood by the door, pressed her lips together, and stepped inside.
“Tired of crying? Have some vegetable soup.” She forced a smile.
The moment Emma entered, Liam turned and met her gaze.
“You’re here, Emma…” Celeste said with a pout.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying? You’re not a child anymore. Crying won’t get you special treatment.”
Emma feigned a doting smile.
Liam chuckled.
“I’m sorry. I was truly scared, Emma. Did I interrupt you two that night?” Celeste asked.
Liam’s expression darkened instantly.
“Stop it, Celeste. Liam is quite… capable. He wears me out every night. I was exhausted that evening, but he insisted. Thanks to you, I barely managed to get out of bed the next morning,” Emma said in a deliberately coquettish tone.
Celeste’s face turned pale instantly.
She hadn’t expected Emma to be so bold.
Liam tugged at his tie and undid the top button as his Adam’s apple bobbed.
Fighting the desire growing beneath him, he continued eating while Celeste sipped her vegetable soup.
Emma walked out of the ward alone and sat in the hallway, scrolling through her phone.
“You look pretty cute when you’re jealous.” Liam emerged, carrying his meal.
“I’m not jealous,” Emma protested.
“Fine.”
…
“I’m done with her. Daniel’s back tomorrow,” he said.
“Alright,” she replied lightly.
“I wish you’d show some possessiveness,” he murmured.
“Are you trying to create some kind of ambiguity? Just to make me care more?”
she asked seriously, turning to face him.
“No…”
“Stop reading those ridiculous dating advice books, Mr. Hayes.”
She glanced at him.
He lowered his head and smiled to himself.
⸻
As they sat in silence, a familiar voice suddenly reached them.
“Liam.”
“Lily.” Emma quickly stood up.
“You’re also here, Emma,” Lily said with a smile.
“Ryan asked me to drop off lunch. I was just about to head out.”
Emma said, clearly looking for an excuse to leave.
Liam’s expression darkened. He stood and walked toward the ward.
Lily followed behind him.
⸻
In the ward:
“You’re finally here, Lily,” Celeste said with a smile.
“Yeah, Celeste. How are you feeling now?” Lily asked, setting the fruit basket beside her.
Celeste casually tossed the used tissue aside, deliberately missing the bin so it landed on the floor beside it.
Emma bent to pick it up, but Liam beat her to it.
He wrapped it in a clean tissue, tossed it into the bin, and shot Celeste a warning look.
Ignoring his glare, Celeste turned to Lily.
“Well, thanks. Good thing you came to see me. Otherwise, I might’ve thought you came just for Liam.”
“I see Liam every day at work. There’s no need to come to the hospital for him,” Lily replied lightly, unfazed.
“Fine. You can leave now,” Celeste said.
“Alright. I’m just curious—why does your heart act up every single time it’s my birthday?” Lily snorted.
“We all know your delicate heart can’t handle stress. But to outsiders, it looks like you’re deliberately using it to keep Liam away from others.”
“Lily.” Liam’s gaze sharpened in warning.
“Don’t push it! Lily!” Celeste snapped smugly, emboldened by his reaction.
Ignoring them, Emma quietly packed the insulated lunch box.
“Me pushing it? Is something wrong with your brain too?”
Lily shot back, done pretending to be polite.
“Who are you to talk?” Celeste sneered.
“You ran off abroad for two years while Liam was injured. Now you want to make amends?”
“I didn’t run away! I didn’t know—” Lily turned toward Liam.
“My family cut off all contact. They even used your photos to force a breakup. I only learned the truth after I came back!”
“If I were you, I’d stay far away,” Celeste continued viciously.
“Never come back and embarrass yourself, Lily!”
“Fine. But no one’s going to like a bitch like you,” Lily fired back.
⸻
The shouting ended abruptly as Liam walked straight out.
Feeling a twinge of pity for him, Emma shot Celeste a cold stare.
“Idiot,” she spat before following him.
Startled by Emma’s glare, Celeste instinctively clutched her chest.
Lily scoffed and followed them out.
Celeste clenched her teeth, fists curling tight.
⸻
Outside the hospital, by the roadside:
Lily rushed ahead and blocked Liam’s path.
“Can I just say a few words?” she pleaded, her eyes shining with hurt.
He didn’t answer, only staring at her coldly.
She stepped closer and hesitantly reached for his hand.
He pulled away and shoved it into his pocket, impatience written all over him.
“I was abroad studying when you were injured,” she said hurriedly.
“My family cut off all contact between us. They spoke to me using your phone and broke up with me in your name. I only found out the truth after I came back.”
“Liam…” She stepped closer again, grasped his left hand, and stared at the ring on his finger.
“Please don’t punish me like this. I know I was wrong. Let me be with you from now on…”
She truly believed the ring was meant to provoke her.
“Finished?” he asked coldly.
“Liam…”
“I should go, Lily.” He turned and walked away without looking back.
She stood there, stunned, watching his retreating figure.
“I’ll make you fall in love with me again. I won’t give up, Liam,” she swore silently.