Chapter 387

The afternoon sun cast golden streaks across the luxurious bedroom, painting Liam Blackwood's chiseled features in a soft glow as he rested against the plush pillows. His usual commanding presence was softened by exhaustion, the faint shadows beneath his eyes betraying his weakened state.

Evelyn Carter had rehearsed her composure the entire ride over. He's engaged now. No lingering thoughts. No foolish hopes.

Yet the moment she stepped inside and saw him, her pulse betrayed her, fluttering wildly against her ribs.

She moved forward quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Liam."

His body tensed. Dark lashes lifted, revealing piercing eyes that locked onto her with startling intensity. She wore a delicate blush-pink dress, her chestnut waves spilling over her shoulders. In one hand, she clutched a bouquet of white zinnias—his favorite. In the other, two meticulously wrapped gift boxes.

Awkwardness clung to her posture.

But when she smiled, it reached her eyes, transforming her face into something breathtaking.

Against his will, Liam felt his own lips curve in response. "You came."

"I brought supplements," she said, lifting the packages slightly.

"Set them there." He gestured to the mahogany coffee table.

She obeyed, then hesitated, flowers still in hand. "Where should I put these?"

Liam patted the nightstand beside him. The moment she leaned in to place them, her vanilla scent enveloped him. Too close.

Evelyn quickly retreated, dragging a chair to his bedside. "How are you feeling?"

The formality stung. Where was the woman who'd once traced idle patterns on his palm during long conversations?

"Better," he lied smoothly.

"Does your shoulder still hurt?"

"Occasionally."

"Can you walk yet?"

He didn't answer. The truth—that blood loss left him dizzy and frail—wasn't something he'd admit. Instead, he turned the tables. "Why did you visit?"

Her fingers twisted in the fabric of her dress. Because I've thought of nothing but you. Because I needed to see you breathing, whole.

But Victoria Hudson's ring on his finger loomed between them.

Liam misinterpreted her silence. His jaw tightened. "Ryan brought you, didn't he?"

"Yes. I went to see Donovan first. Ryan was driving your family back from the estate when I arrived, so we came together."

The words lanced through him. He'd rather she hadn't come at all than know she'd only accompanied Ryan as an afterthought.

"How is Donovan?" Liam forced neutrality into his voice.

"The same. Not well."

"When are you returning to Solterra?"

"I might not."

His grip on the blanket turned white-knuckled. "Why the change?" The question emerged rougher than intended. He tempered it. "Did something happen?"

Evelyn's lips curved faintly. "Don't you want me to stay and serve Aldenria?"

"More than anything." The admission slipped out—both as a general and a man. If she remained, there was still hope.

"My grandparents are aging," she offered casually. "I'd like to be near them. I'm still deciding."

The unspoken words hung between them, heavy as the flowers' perfume. I'm still deciding if I can bear seeing you with someone else.