Chapter 177

Liam stepped out of the hospital room, with Julian following closely behind, shutting the door with a soft click.

Noticing Liam's grim expression, Julian asked bluntly, "Liam, do you still have feelings for Victoria?"

Liam froze mid-step, his face hardening like stone.

"Victoria may have gone too far trying to win you back, but it's only because she loves you deeply. That incident at the pool must have been an accident."

"If you have time, you should check on Victoria. Nearly drowning might have left her traumatized," Julian suggested.

Despite Julian's words, Liam remained silent. His broad shoulders tensed as he walked away with determined strides, leaving no room for further conversation.

Watching Liam's retreating figure, Julian's eyes darkened with resolve. Victoria had crossed a line. No matter how many warnings he'd given her to stay away from Evelyn, she kept causing harm.

Liam exited the hospital and entered the waiting military vehicle.

Ryan and Adrian turned anxiously toward Liam in the backseat, their faces etched with concern. "General Blackwood, is Mrs. Blackwood alright?"

Exhaustion weighed heavily on Liam as he leaned back, closing his eyes. His shoulders slumped under invisible burdens. "She's stable."

"General, let us know if you need anything. Mrs. Blackwood needs you now more than ever," Adrian offered carefully.

Liam's jaw tightened further, his hands clenching into fists on his thighs. He remained silent, the tension in the vehicle growing thicker.

A crushing wave of guilt and self-loash washed over him. The woman he loved had nearly died before his eyes, yet he'd saved Victoria instead.

Evelyn's refusal to see him was understandable, but it left him drowning in bitterness and pain, his soul restless.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice rough. "Did we recover the surveillance footage from the pool?"

Adrian hesitated. "General, the security system at Blackwood Manor was hacked an hour ago. All data was wiped clean."

Liam's voice turned steely. "Get the tech team to recover it."

"We tried, sir. They said the damage was too extensive. These hackers were top-tier professionals," Ryan explained.

Liam fell silent again, his weary form resembling a statue against the leather seat, motionless and withdrawn.

After another pause, his deep voice resonated slowly. "Do either of you know how to win back a woman?"

Ryan and Adrian exchanged glances. After an awkward moment, Ryan admitted, "General, I've never been in a serious relationship."

Adrian cleared his throat. "I've had two, but both complained I lacked romance. Said my schedule was too demanding. Neither worked out."

Liam absorbed their words in silence before abruptly exiting the vehicle. He returned to Evelyn's hospital room, taking up his vigil on the bench outside.

Hours passed unnoticed as nurses bustled by. As night deepened and the hospital grew quiet, Liam remained rooted to the spot.

Only when the lights in the VIP ward dimmed did he finally rise, pushing the door open with infinite care.

Evelyn lay sleeping peacefully. Approaching her bedside, Liam's gaze - both intense and tender - lingered on her pale face.

She'd nearly slipped through his fingers forever. The thought was unbearable. Had Julian not acted swiftly, would Evelyn be gone now?

Liam settled into the chair beside her bed, gently cradling Evelyn's hand in his. He pressed a feather-light kiss to her knuckles. Though her skin was warm, the fear lingered.

Evelyn stirred at his touch, slowly waking. When her eyes focused on Liam, she immediately withdrew her hand.

The sudden emptiness in his palm felt like losing her all over again, leaving Liam drowning in despair.