Chapter 385

Victoria Dawson smiled as she pulled up a chair beside Liam Blackwood's hospital bed.

Her voice was soft, almost soothing. "Liam, I understand. The woman you fell for in your youth—she's like an unforgettable first love. Those memories stay with you forever."

She leaned closer. "Then fate brought her back as your wife. Sweet, delicate, charming. So heartbreakingly gentle and kind. What man wouldn't be drawn to her?"

Her tone shifted. "But have you considered that no matter how much you love her, the cruelest truth is that she doesn’t love you back?"

Liam's jaw tightened. A sharp pain twisted in his chest, as if a blade had been driven deep. Even breathing hurt.

His voice was rough, barely above a whisper. "Then why did she risk her life to save me?"

Victoria gave his shoulder a gentle pat. "Maybe she was caught too? Did you ever ask her?"

After a pause, she reached for his phone. "I can’t watch this anymore. If you love her, just confess."

She smirked. "It’s not like this is the first rejection. Maybe after a few more, you’ll finally let go."

Liam snatched the phone back, his gaze icy. "Stay out of my business with her."

Victoria huffed. "I just think it’s ridiculous. You took a bullet for her, didn’t you?"

Silence. He tucked the phone beneath the blanket.

Her lips pursed. "You’d die for her, but what does she do? Drops you at the hospital and leaves."

Her voice rose. "Ryan and I barely arrived when she was already rushing out. We couldn’t even convince her to stay—she insisted on returning to Solterra."

Victoria scoffed. "Solterra? Please. She’s probably still asleep at Wright Manor."

She shook her head. "Liam, I feel sorry for you. There are so many women out there—why her?"

Her words grew sharper. "If she cared, fine. But she doesn’t. Not even a call or text. You’re bedridden, and she can’t spare half an hour to visit? Heartless."

Liam’s expression darkened. "Are you done?"

Victoria smirked. "Not even close. I was so furious when Evelyn left that I chased her down and told her we were together."

His eyes snapped to hers, sharp as daggers.

She swallowed. "Don’t look at me like that. I was trying to help. But she didn’t care—she even wished us happiness."

Liam’s voice was dangerously calm. "Did she leave because of what you said, or was she already leaving?"

Victoria hesitated. "Does it matter? She doesn’t want you."

"It matters."

She looked away. "She was leaving anyway. I just... said it."

Liam’s fists clenched. He shut his eyes, leaning back against the headboard.

Victoria bit her lip. "Are you mad?"

Silence.

She sighed. "We’ve been friends for years, Liam. You know I just want what’s best for you."

Still, he said nothing.

"Love yourself. If she won’t, others will."

Liam’s voice was flat. "Don’t say things that could mislead people about us."

Victoria laughed bitterly. "Won’t happen again. Evelyn’s probably packing for Solterra. You’ll never see her again."

Liam pulled the blanket over his head. "Leave."

She patted the covers. "Rest. I’ll visit tomorrow."

The next day, Blackwood Manor

Ryan Sullivan nearly collided with Evelyn at the entrance.

She stepped back, breathless. "Ryan."

He frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Her voice was tight with worry. "How is Liam?"

Ryan’s reply was curt. "Thanks to Ms. Wright, he’s stable."

Evelyn exhaled, but the weight in her chest remained.

He crossed his arms. "The Blackwoods just returned from visiting him. So why were you coming from inside?"

She gestured toward the garden house. "I was seeing Donovan."

Ryan’s face paled. He braced a hand against the wall.

His voice was low, strained. "He gave you space. He moved on. Then you risk your life to save him? What did you expect him to feel?"

Evelyn froze.

So Liam had truly moved on in just a month. Maybe Victoria, his longtime confidante, made it easier.

Her chest tightened as Ryan listed her "sins."

"He took a bullet for you. And you couldn’t even wait to see him wake up?"

His voice cracked. "You just left."