Chapter 424

"It's complicated. Just get us to the hospital now!" Vivian insisted, her voice tight with urgency. Every second counted, especially with Nathaniel's life hanging in the balance.

"Fine." Liam clenched his jaw, swallowing his resentment as he hauled the unconscious man into the car.

The tires screeched against the pavement as he sped toward the nearest medical center. The moment they arrived, he scooped Vivian into his arms, shouting for help with wild desperation.

"Somebody—anybody—help her!"

But Vivian twisted in his grip, her gaze locked on Nathaniel, still slumped in the backseat. She dug her fingers into Liam's arm. "Forget about me—he's worse off! He needs treatment first!"

Liam had never disobeyed her before. But this time, he kept running, his strides long and frantic.

His voice dropped low, strained. "Vivian, I respect you. But don't mistake me for a saint. I brought him here—that’s more than he deserves. Don’t ask me to care."

The doctors rushed her into surgery immediately. A concussion. A fractured leg. Not life-threatening, but serious enough to keep her under observation for twenty-four hours.

By the next day, she was transferred to a standard ward, her leg encased in plaster, her body anchored to the bed.

Liam entered with a tray of food, his expression tight with worry. "You must be starving. Eat something."

She ignored the meal, gripping his wrist instead. "Nathaniel. Tell me he’s okay."

Liam’s jaw tensed. He stirred the congee, avoiding her eyes. "Sea cucumber congee. Good for healing."

She shoved the spoon away. "I won’t eat until you tell me."

His forced smile vanished. "Four years, and you’re still hung up on him?" His voice cracked. "After everything I’ve done—risking my family’s future for you—you still choose him?"

"Liam—"

"Don’t." His hands trembled. "We’re getting married. Do you even see me as your fiancé?"

The raw hurt in his eyes made her chest ache.

She exhaled slowly. "You want to know why I care?"

"Because you love him!" He slammed the tray onto the bedside table. "After everything he did to you—how can you still—?"

Her voice was eerily calm. "That’s not why."

"Then why?"

She met his gaze, unflinching. "Because he saved my life."

Liam froze.

And for the first time, the truth hung between them—heavy, undeniable.