Chapter 428

"No... This can't be happening! I refuse to believe it!" Liam's knees buckled as he collapsed onto the cold hospital floor, his voice barely above a whisper.

The sterile white doors of the operating room swung open, revealing a gurney being wheeled out. A motionless figure lay beneath the stark white sheet, the outline unmistakably tall and broad-shouldered.

"Would you like to see him one last time?" The doctor's tone was clinical, his gaze fixed on Liam's ashen face. "If not, we'll proceed directly to the mortuary. You should make arrangements soon."

Liam swallowed hard, his throat dry. He wanted to stand, to pull back that sheet—but the weight of reality crushed him before he could move.

"No," he muttered, shaking his head, unable to meet the doctor's eyes.

With a nod, the medical staff continued down the hall, the wheels of the gurney squeaking faintly against the linoleum.

Ethan Blackwood is dead.

The words echoed like a nightmare in Liam's skull, relentless and suffocating. His hands clenched into fists. That indomitable man—gone, just like that?

I can't accept this. And if I can't, how will Vivian?

His jaw tightened. She can't know. Not yet. Not until she's strong enough.

The next morning, Liam arrived at Vivian's room with a tray of her favorite breakfast—fluffy pancakes, fresh berries, and steaming coffee.

"You're up early," she remarked, setting aside her book with a small smile.

"How are you feeling? Any pain?" He adjusted the overbed table, arranging the food carefully in front of her.

"None at all!" She grinned, already reaching for the syrup. "If the nurses hadn't stopped me, I would've sprinted down the hallway."

As she dug in, Vivian's expression turned serious. "What about Ethan? Is he out of surgery? The nurses wouldn't tell me anything."

Liam's fingers twitched, but his voice remained steady. "He's fine. The specialists handled everything. You know how it is—nothing less than perfection for Mr. Blackwood."

"Good." Relief softened her features as she took another bite. "Oh—did you bring him breakfast too? Don't forget."

"Of course not." Liam forced a chuckle. "He saved your life. Taking care of him is taking care of you."

"You're the best." She reached out, pinching his cheek affectionately.

As her most trusted confidant, she never doubted him. If Liam handled something, it was done right.

"Eat up. I'll go check on him," he said, already turning toward the door, his smile vanishing the second his back was to her.

If the Blackwoods arrived demanding answers, the truth would explode in his face. He needed to move fast—hide Ethan's body, buy time.

At the mortuary, Liam flashed a practiced smile at the attendant. "I'm family. I need to see him."

The lie tasted bitter, but it was necessary.

For Vivian's sake.