Chapter 94

Victoria gasped for air, her throat burning as she finally regained her breath after the violent coughing fit. The fear that gripped her made her shrink back against the car seat, not daring to provoke Julian further.

Julian kept his eyes on the road, his voice eerily calm as he spoke.

"You're banned from the base. My father insists I take you home." His fingers tightened around the steering wheel. "And she is never to appear before my parents again. Ever."

"Why?" Victoria whispered, her voice trembling.

Julian scoffed. "Elderly people trust their instincts more than facts. Margaret Thorn is proof of that. They wouldn’t believe a DNA report if you shoved it in their faces."

Victoria rolled her eyes. "That senile old bat is just confused."

Julian shot her a chilling glare, his stomach twisting with unease.

Some people shone like polished silver, no matter the circumstances. Others couldn’t hide their tarnish, no matter how hard they tried.

Dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of gold.

Evelyn stirred restlessly, her chest itching unbearably beneath the bandages. She twisted in bed, fingers twitching toward the irritating spot, but the thick gauze denied her relief.

Liam woke to her movements, blinking sleep from his eyes as he studied her. "What's wrong, Evie?"

The unexpected nickname sent a jolt through Evelyn, snapping her fully awake. She stared at him, wide-eyed, pulse racing.

The air between them thickened as their gazes locked.

Liam realized his slip too late—his carefully guarded affection laid bare. He cleared his throat, sitting up straighter. "Are you in pain?"

Evelyn nodded, brows knitting together. "It itches."

Her small, breathy complaint sent heat rushing through Liam’s veins. He shifted, suddenly aware of his body’s traitorous reaction.

Swallowing hard, he forced his voice steady. "Where... exactly does it itch?"

Evelyn pointed hesitantly to the side of her chest, confusion flickering at his strained expression. "Here."

Liam wrestled his composure back. "It could be healing... or infection. Let me check."

Evelyn froze.

His brow arched. "Problem?"

"It's... embarrassing." Pink stained her cheeks.

Right now, Liam cared only about her injury. She was human. So was he. What was the big deal?

He wasn’t some creep.

His expression turned stern. "I’m your husband. When will you stop treating me like a stranger?"

Evelyn bit her lip. "It’s not that, I just—"

She feared his disgust. Feared his rejection.

The words died in her throat.

After a long pause, she exhaled sharply and sat up. Turning away, her fingers moved to the first button of her pajama top.