Chapter 176

Olivia strained against Liam's weight, but he remained immovable. Oddly, she sensed he wasn't pressing down with his full strength—though pinned, she felt no discomfort. The realization struck her like lightning: he was doing this on purpose.

Fury ignited within her. Olivia sank her teeth into Liam's shoulder. He grunted, the pain seeming to sober him from his drunken haze. His dark eyes narrowed dangerously as he reacted to her bite. Seizing the moment, Olivia frantically signed with her free hands—I'm not Evelyn! You're making a mistake!

Liam didn't even blink. He caught her chin firmly, his voice a low growl. "I know exactly who you are."

Olivia's lashes fluttered, confusion and fear swirling in her widened eyes. Before she could protest, Liam closed the distance between them, silencing her with a searing kiss.

Her entire body trembled under his touch. His intoxicating scent enveloped her, overwhelming her senses. Against her will, Olivia found herself melting into the kiss, powerless against the raw intensity of his passion.

She tried to resist, but Liam was faster—capturing her wrists and pinning them behind her back. As the kiss deepened, his arm snaked around her waist, crushing her against him until not an inch of space remained between them.

His darkened gaze held a storm of emotions—desire, restraint, something unreadable. Though clearly tempted to abandon all control, he held back, teasing her lips with alternating gentleness and demanding pressure.

Time stretched endlessly in that embrace. When Liam finally pulled away, gasping, Olivia could barely think straight.

Dazed, she glanced around—somehow, they'd ended up on the bed. The intimacy of the moment felt surreal, like a fragment of a forgotten dream.

Olivia's mind reeled. She'd convinced herself her feelings for Liam were dead. Yet her traitorous body had responded instantly—weak limbs, racing heart. Was this just muscle memory from their past?

Before she could recover, Liam dragged her back into his arms, inhaling deeply. Outside, rain began pattering against the windows, a quiet backdrop to the charged silence.

To Liam, this moment felt suspended in time. Olivia lay stiff beside him until a memory jolted her. She tried to rise, but his arm tightened around her. "What are you afraid of?" he murmured. "That I'll hurt you? Stop fighting it."

Frustration flared in Olivia. Was she just an emotional placeholder for him? Mindful of her pregnancy, she carefully extracted herself from his grip, avoiding any sudden movements.

When she turned back, Liam's face was pale, sweat beading his forehead. Their kiss seemed to have cleared his mind—but now, pain contorted his features.

This was new. Olivia had never seen Liam visibly suffering before. Years ago, when a stomach ulcer had hospitalized him, he'd sat stiffly on the hospital bed, scowling when she arrived. "Why are you here? It's not like I'm dying."

She'd brought homemade soup, signing that Sebastian had informed her. For a fleeting second, his expression had softened—before icing over again. "It's pouring outside. Think before you act. Don't misunderstand—I don't care about you. But as my wife, showing up like this makes it seem dire."

Back then, raw from losing their first child, his words had cut deep. She'd left with her head high, but the wound never fully healed.

Now, seeing genuine agony twist Liam's face, Olivia hesitated. Sebastian was off-duty, unreachable.

Liam groaned, curling into himself. Olivia sighed—her compassion was her weakness. Despite everything, she approached him, shaking his shoulder gently.

Sweat-drenched and pale, Liam barely managed to meet her gaze. Olivia signed carefully: Should I call Evelyn? Or a doctor?

When she gestured that she couldn't physically carry him, Liam exhaled sharply—then yanked her into his arms. Olivia stumbled against his chest as he buried his face in her hair. "Just stay," he muttered. "I feel like hell."

Confused but sensing his tension ease, Olivia remained still. Against her better judgment, she signed a question: What's wrong with you?

Eyes closed, Liam responded with familiar coldness. "Why do you care? Knowing will only burden you."

Olivia frowned. Even in pain, his arrogance surfaced. Yet as rain drummed softly, her eyelids grew heavy. Unintentionally, she drifted into sleep.

Liam's headache finally eased. He glanced down at Olivia, peaceful in his arms—something that hadn't happened since their early marriage days. Back then, she'd been like a skittish rabbit around him.

He couldn't fathom her fear. Perhaps love's absence bred such wariness.

Olivia stirred, weakly pushing at his arm in her sleep. Liam only tightened his hold, unwilling to relinquish this fragile closeness. Eventually, she stilled, sinking deeper into slumber.

For the first time in years, Liam slept soundly, the storm outside fading into white noise.

Meanwhile, in the garden, Evelyn waited through the long, lonely night. The candles she'd lit for a romantic evening guttered out hours ago. Dawn found her waking stiffly at the table, the untouched wine and scattered rose petals mocking her futile hopes.

Liam never came.