Chapter 14

The Mercedes screeched to a sudden halt, sending Olivia lurching forward before her seatbelt yanked her back violently. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the door handle, her face drained of all color.

"Damn it, Olivia—I didn't mean to—" Daniel blurted out, finally noticing her terrified expression.

Olivia simply shook her head and slumped back against the seat, exhaustion written across her delicate features.

The Bentley's door swung open with force. Liam emerged first, his expression thunderous. Moments later, Evelyn stumbled out, looking as pale as Olivia. Having forgotten her seatbelt, she'd been thrown against the window repeatedly during Liam's reckless driving. Now she clutched her forehead, her usually impeccable appearance in complete disarray.

"Liam, please—let's just go home!" Evelyn called desperately as Liam stormed toward the Mercedes.

Ignoring her completely, Liam marched to the passenger side and yanked at the door handle. Finding it locked, he slammed his fist against the window with enough force to make the glass tremble.

"Olivia, don't be afraid. I won't let him hurt you," Daniel said firmly, his protective instincts kicking in.

Olivia shook her head again.

Frustrated by his inability to understand sign language, Daniel watched helplessly as Olivia typed a message on her phone: "He's my husband."

Those three words seemed to deflate Daniel completely. With a resigned sigh, he hit the unlock button. The door was immediately wrenched open by Liam, who reached in to pull Olivia out.

"What the hell are you doing, Blackwood?" Daniel demanded, grabbing Liam's arm to stop him from manhandling Olivia.

"Taking my wife home. Not that it's any of your business," Liam spat, his voice dripping with venom. His stormy eyes promised violence.

Daniel's jaw tightened. "I care about how you treat my sister's best friend."

"Exactly—my sister's friend. So stay out of it."

Despite Liam's attempts to drag Olivia toward his car, Daniel stood his ground like an immovable wall.

"Let her go. I'm not moving until I hear her say she wants to go with you," Daniel growled.

Liam's gaze snapped to Olivia. Before she could respond, he scoffed. "You should worry about yourself!"

Just then, police sirens wailed in the distance. Within moments, several squad cars surrounded both vehicles, officers pouring out.

"Reckless driving and speeding. You're coming with us," an officer announced, immediately restraining Daniel.

"He was speeding too! Why aren't you arresting him?" Daniel protested, but his resistance only earned him rougher treatment as he was forced onto the pavement.

Olivia's eyes widened in shock—Liam had called the police on Daniel. She desperately wanted to explain, but Liam gave her no chance. He practically shoved her into the Bentley's passenger seat.

After locking the doors, Liam slid behind the wheel.

"Liam? You can't just leave me here! Where even are we?" Evelyn pounded on the window in disbelief. But Liam simply sped away, leaving her standing in the middle of the road.

The nausea hit Olivia hard during the drive. The world spun violently as carsickness overwhelmed her. By the time they reached the mansion, she could barely stand.

The butler greeted them at the entrance. "Sir, Madam, you're home early. Have you dined?"

Olivia froze—she'd left the food container in Daniel's car. Shaking her head at the butler, she turned to Liam, silently asking if he wanted her to prepare something specific.

Liam, still seething, didn't respond. Instead, he swept her into his arms and pinned her to the nearest couch.

The butler discreetly vanished.

Dizziness forced Olivia's eyes shut. To Liam, it looked like she couldn't bear to look at him.

"One gesture from Daniel, and you went with him willingly," Liam accused, his voice sharp as a blade. "I asked you to come home with me, and you resisted. If I hadn't intervened, would you have married him?"

Shock flashed across Olivia's face as she met his gaze. She had rejected Daniel's proposal—had Liam been involved somehow?

Noticing her reaction, Liam let out a bitter laugh. "Just hearing his name affects you this much? Remember, Olivia, you're married to me. You belong to me—forever. Don't even think about leaving."

His large hand slid beneath her dress aggressively. Overwhelmed and unable to push him away, Olivia suddenly turned her head and vomited violently as sickness overtook her.