Chapter 161

Evelyn's fingers trembled as she stopped Liam's advancing hand, hastily rebuttoning her blouse. "We should stop."

Confusion clouded Liam's striking features as he studied Evelyn's flushed face. She couldn't bring herself to meet his intense gaze, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension.

A dark thought crossed Evelyn's mind - would a man like Liam ever want someone with her complicated medical history? Three bouts of that particular infection weren't exactly dinner conversation material.

She ran through the possibilities: either he was madly in love with her, or completely convinced of her clean bill of health. Given their rocky relationship, the latter seemed far more likely.

"Liam," Evelyn asked softly, "is there something you're not telling me?"

His piercing blue eyes flickered momentarily before he answered, "No."

With his extensive resources and the meticulous work of his two most trusted operatives, Liam was absolutely certain about the DNA results.

Evelyn exhaled slowly, her mood plummeting as she looked away. "I don't want to do this."

An icy sensation spread through Liam's chest, dousing his earlier passion. He carefully put distance between them, wrestling with emotions he couldn't articulate.

Perched on the edge of the bed, Liam released a heavy sigh. Minutes stretched as he struggled to find the right words, the courage to voice his thoughts evaporating.

Evelyn straightened her clothes while watching Liam closely. His inner turmoil was palpable - she'd bet her favorite paintbrushes he was hiding something.

"You always say we should be close," she reminded him gently. "As husband and wife, shouldn't we be completely honest with each other?"

Yet the words stuck in Liam's throat like stubborn glue. His intense stare bored into Evelyn, who grew increasingly frustrated with his silence.

"Fine," she snapped, standing abruptly. "I don't want to be near you right now. I'm going to my room."

She'd barely taken two steps when Liam caught her wrist, spinning her around to face him.

Liam looked devastatingly handsome as always, his military bearing giving him an air of unapproachable authority. For such a powerful man, those three simple words - "I love you" - seemed impossibly difficult.

What if he finally said them, only for Evelyn to reply, "I don't love you. My heart belongs to Julian"?

Evelyn saw the conflict in Liam's eyes and felt a flicker of hope. She just wanted honesty - and in return, she was prepared to trust him with the truth about her mysterious past.

Together, they could unravel everything. She waited patiently, giving him time.

"This is your room. I'll leave," Liam finally said.

Evelyn's temper flared. She moved behind him and shoved his broad back with both hands. "Go then! I don't want to see you!" Despite her words, her voice held more hurt than anger.

Her weak push barely budged the solidly built soldier, but Liam obediently walked toward the door. As Evelyn moved to slam it shut, he caught the frame.

"Are you angry?" he asked solemnly.

"No," Evelyn muttered.

"You seem upset."

"How would you feel in my position?"

Liam fell silent. She'd rejected his advances, then ordered him out of her room - it was enough to bruise any man's ego.

Watching Evelyn's stormy expression, Liam wondered if she'd somehow sensed his secret. "I-" he began, then stopped.