Chapter 51

Liam froze instantly. Evelyn was trembling violently, her body drenched in cold sweat.

Perhaps it was pity that made him do it, but Liam didn't resist when she clung to him. Without hesitation, he covered her delicate hands over her ears once more.

A moment later, he detected faint sobbing sounds. The soft whimpers came from the woman nestled against his chest - fragile and frightened, like an injured kitten abandoned in the wilderness.

Liam could tell Evelyn was genuinely terrified of the violent storm and deafening thunderclaps.

This was the first time a woman had ever embraced Liam like this. Evelyn's body felt incredibly soft against his, her subtle floral fragrance intoxicating his senses.

His body reacted instinctively to the intimate contact. Liam knew these thoughts were inappropriate, yet his traitorous body refused to obey. The surge of desire was overwhelming.

It was also the first time Liam had heard Evelyn cry. Her whimpers sounded eerily similar to Victoria's when she was a child.

A long-buried protective instinct, dormant for ten years, suddenly awakened within him.

When Victoria had returned earlier this year, her frequent crying fits and tantrums had only irritated Liam. He'd assumed his childhood affection had simply faded with time.

Yet now, with Evelyn in his arms, those forgotten feelings came rushing back.

The room remained pitch black. Outside, the storm showed no signs of abating.

The warm air between them grew thick with their synchronized rapid breathing and pounding heartbeats.

Gradually, Evelyn's trembling subsided. She rested her head against Liam's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

Then realization struck - she stiffened abruptly. She'd been clinging to his waist like a lifeline, even curling into his embrace.

Liam hadn't pushed her away, even helping cover her ears. Surely it was just gentlemanly courtesy.

Evelyn slowly withdrew her arms.

An unexpected emptiness filled Liam's chest when her warmth disappeared. Lowering his hands, he asked hoarsely, "Better now?"

Though she couldn't see his expression, his voice held no anger.

"I need my noise-canceling earbuds. The thunder will return."

"Why are you afraid of thunderstorms?"

Evelyn's voice quivered. "I... I keep having this nightmare where someone holds my head underwater during a storm, trying to drown me. It terrifies me."

Liam activated his phone's flashlight. They searched the bed area until he spotted high-end noise-canceling earbuds peeking from beneath a pillow.

Kneeling on the mattress, he carefully placed them in Evelyn's ears.

The moment the earbuds activated, Evelyn visibly relaxed. She quickly played loud music at maximum volume.

Curling up at the bed's edge, she wiped away residual tears.

Liam examined the light fixtures with his phone's light. "I'll check the circuit breaker," he said slowly.

With the earbuds blocking sound, Evelyn didn't respond.

As Liam moved toward the door, Evelyn suddenly lunged forward, grabbing his shirt. Her voice came out louder than intended, "Don't leave, Liam!"