Chapter 17

Olivia's muscles tightened as Liam's imposing figure loomed beside her. Evelyn's shrill voice sliced through the tension, while the other guests who'd arrived with Liam exchanged shocked glances. Few knew Olivia was actually Liam's wife - most assumed Evelyn held that position.

Now, as Liam adjusted her golf stance directly in front of Evelyn, Olivia braced for disaster. Her palms grew slick when Liam guided her swing, but their timing was disastrously off, sending the ball careening wildly off-course.

"Been a while since you played?" Liam's warm chuckle near her ear sent shivers down Olivia's spine, seemingly oblivious to the electric tension around them.

Olivia could only nod mutely.

"Relax, put some strength here," Liam instructed, gently correcting her posture and chin position for the next shot.

His body pressed against hers, radiating familiar warmth Olivia once craved. Now she just wanted to flee.

"Liam, I want to sit over there. Will you join me?" Evelyn's interruption shattered the moment.

"If you want to sit, go by yourself. Last I checked, you had functioning legs," Natalie snapped protectively. Having witnessed Liam's proximity to Olivia and knowing her friend's fragile hopes, Natalie's protective instincts flared.

Evelyn's face fell, her pleading eyes locked on Liam with desperate hope.

Liam remained detached, focusing solely on guiding Olivia as if they were alone.

The second swing landed significantly closer to the target.

"Good shot! Now try it alone." With that, Liam stepped back, releasing Olivia.

Natalie approached cautiously, shooting daggers at Evelyn.

Evelyn, however, seemed uninterested in competing for attention. She selected a new club and positioned herself at the course's edge.

As Olivia prepared her next shot, Evelyn took stance opposite her, determination hardening her features as she swung.

"Oops!" Suddenly Evelyn's club flew from her grasp, spiraling through the air before striking Olivia's bare arm with a sickening thud!

The impact sent Olivia sprawling. An angry red welt immediately bloomed on her exposed skin.

"Olivia!" Natalie was at her side instantly, cradling the injured arm. "Are you okay? How bad is it? Can you move your fingers?"

Pain nearly brought tears to Olivia's eyes, but she managed a weak shake of her head.

Confused by Liam's sudden affection, Olivia assumed he was only using her to provoke Evelyn. He'd never take her side against his mistress. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to her feet, assuring Natalie she was fine.

"You can't even lift your arm and you say you're fine?" Natalie's eyes blazed with fury. She whirled on Evelyn. "That was deliberate! Just wait until my family's lawyers hear about this!"

"I-I didn't mean to! Nobody taught me proper form! The club just slipped-" Evelyn's tearful explanation painted her as the victim while subtly shifting blame.

"An accident? Out of this entire course, your club just happened to hit Olivia? Well then, I suppose this is an accident too!" Natalie raised her club threateningly.

"Enough!" Liam's command cut through the confrontation.

Evelyn immediately cowered behind Liam. "Liam, I swear it was an accident-"

"Fine. Olivia must be blind to stay with a man like you!" Natalie hurled her club down in disgust before turning to help Olivia. "Let's get you to Mercy Hospital," she said gently.

Olivia's arm had swollen alarmingly - likely a fracture.

Natalie offered support as they started toward the exit, but they'd barely taken three steps when rapid footsteps approached.

Suddenly Liam swept Olivia from Natalie's grasp, carrying her swiftly off the course.