Chapter 422

Liam's voice softened as he gazed into the distance. "When we were children, I often sat alone like this. You'd always find me. I told you to leave me alone, that you were bothering me."

He chuckled at the memory. "You promised not to speak, just to sit quietly. The truth is... I never minded your company. My temper was short back then, and I feared lashing out at you. But secretly... I always looked forward to your visits."

"Liam..." Olivia whispered suddenly, interrupting his thoughts.

Liam froze mid-sentence, his breath catching. Slowly, he turned to face her.

Olivia's eyes held a new awareness as she repeated, "Liam."

His heart pounded violently against his ribs. With trembling hands, he reached for hers. "Olivia? Can you understand me? Do you know where you are?"

Instead of answering, she kept repeating his name in that same flat, mechanical tone.

A storm of emotions raged within Liam. The specialists at Mercy Hospital had warned him Olivia might remain completely unresponsive before treatment. Yet here she was, acknowledging his presence.

For days, Olivia had existed in a detached state, oblivious to the world around her. The medical team had tried every possible treatment, but nothing seemed to penetrate the fog surrounding her mind.

"These new designer drugs are unpredictable," the lead neurologist had admitted, rubbing his temples in frustration. "We've stabilized her physically, but the psychological effects... That's another matter entirely."

The doctor had suggested familiar surroundings might trigger memories. That's why Liam had made the decision to bring Olivia home.

Little Isabelle had been ecstatic at the news of her mother's return. The child had spent days preparing - arranging flowers, drawing welcome signs, even selecting her favorite stuffed animal to share.

The moment the car pulled into the driveway, Isabelle came sprinting from the house, her golden curls bouncing with each excited step. Liam was just helping Olivia from the vehicle when the small tornado of energy collided with them.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Isabelle cried, throwing her arms around Olivia's waist.

Olivia staggered slightly but instinctively caught the child, her hands automatically steadying the little girl. Liam's eyes widened in shock. At the hospital, Olivia had recoiled from every human touch.

Perhaps the mother-daughter bond could penetrate where medicine had failed. For the first time in weeks, Liam felt a flicker of genuine hope.

Even at her young age, Isabelle sensed something was different. She pulled back slightly, studying her mother's face with concern. "Why won't you talk to me, Mommy? Did I do something wrong?"

Her small fingers plucked anxiously at Olivia's sleeve. "Please say something. Anything."

Liam knelt beside them, smoothing Isabelle's hair. After a moment's hesitation, he chose honesty. "Sweetheart, Mommy's sick right now. It's like when you have a bad cold and don't feel like talking. She needs time to get better."

Isabelle nodded solemnly, though confusion still clouded her innocent face. She didn't fully understand, but she trusted Liam completely. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll be extra quiet, like when Grandma has her headaches."

The child's simple faith nearly broke Liam's heart. He pulled both his girls into a careful embrace, praying this homecoming would work the miracle the hospital couldn't.