Chapter 239

Evelyn Carter sat curled up on the living room sofa, absently stirring her morning coffee while scrolling through news updates on her phone. The headlines screamed about yesterday's disastrous missile strike along the Valtoria border.

Aldenria faced international condemnation, with reports from Valtorian media claiming hundreds of civilian casualties. Demands for compensation and formal apologies flooded diplomatic channels.

The Aldenrian government maintained the missile had veered off course, accidentally obliterating a major drug cartel stronghold along the border. Tons of narcotics and dozens of cartel leaders had been wiped out in the explosion.

Evelyn's fingers trembled against her phone screen as she read further.

Despite knowing the truth about the drug den's destruction, world leaders seemed determined to ignore the facts. Political tensions were being deliberately stoked instead.

"Mr. Blackwood, good morning," the housekeeper's voice suddenly announced.

Evelyn startled, nearly spilling her coffee. She hurried to the foyer, her bare feet silent on the marble floor.

Her breath caught when she saw Liam standing there, looking impossibly handsome yet visibly exhausted in his rumpled military uniform.

"Liam," she whispered, her voice cracking. Unbidden tears pricked at her eyes as she took in his haggard appearance.

Liam's tired face softened into a smile. He crossed the space between them in three strides, pulling her into a crushing embrace without a word. Evelyn melted into his arms, inhaling the familiar scent of sandalwood and gunpowder that clung to his uniform.

After a long moment, she tentatively wrapped her arms around his waist. "You look exhausted," she murmured against his chest. "Why don't you rest for a while?"

Liam simply shook his head, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

"Have you eaten? Should I make you breakfast?"

Another shake of his head. His arms tightened around her almost desperately, as if she were his only anchor in a storm. Evelyn felt him exhale shakily against her skin.

"Liam, do you—" she began, but he cut her off with a hoarse whisper. "Just let me hold you. I need this."

Her heart stuttered at his words. That this powerful man drew strength simply from holding her sent warmth flooding through her veins. She stood motionless, letting him take whatever comfort he needed.

Eventually, she coaxed him to a nearby café for a quick breakfast before leading him back to their bedroom. After a hot shower, he collapsed onto the mattress, pulling her down with him.

It was barely 9 AM. Evelyn had been awake less than two hours before finding herself back in bed. She hadn't expected Liam to fall asleep so quickly.

The dark circles under his eyes told their own story—clearly he hadn't slept properly in days. She lay still, watching the tension gradually leave his handsome features. Resisting the urge to smooth the worry lines from his forehead, she eventually drifted off herself.

When Evelyn awoke hours later, the space beside her was empty. The sheets were cold—Liam had been gone for some time.

She found him downstairs in the library, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows with a glass of whiskey in hand. The golden afternoon light painted his profile in sharp relief.

"You're awake," he said without turning, as if he'd sensed her presence. His voice was rough with sleep and something darker.

Evelyn approached cautiously. "How long have you been up?"

"Long enough." He finally turned, his stormy gray eyes meeting hers. "We need to talk about what's coming."