Chapter 523

Without speaking, Liam moved closer and carefully took the hairdryer from Olivia's hand, his fingers threading gently through her damp strands. "It's fine," he murmured. "I'll keep you company tonight. If it bothers you, I can stay by the window. The bed is all yours."

Olivia studied him, her voice hushed. "Don't be ridiculous. You'll freeze sleeping there, and then I'll have to nurse you back to health."

A soft smile played on Liam's lips. "Concerned about my wellbeing?"

Olivia scoffed but remained silent. After drying her hair, Liam effortlessly lifted her and settled her onto the bed. Keeping his promise, he made no advances, simply wrapping his arms around her, his hand rhythmically stroking her back in a comforting motion.

Olivia squirmed slightly, her cheeks flushing. "I'm not a child, Liam. You don't need to tuck me in like this."

Liam leaned closer, inhaling her familiar fragrance. He exhaled slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Every time I hold you like this, I keep thinking it might be another dream. I'm terrified that when I wake, I'll be back in that foreign prison cell, separated from you and Isabelle. The thought of you two was my only lifeline."

Drowsiness creeping in, Olivia asked sleepily, "What really happened overseas? You never told me... But I can imagine it was dangerous."

Liam didn't respond immediately. He simply watched as her breathing evened out, sleep claiming her. Pressing a featherlight kiss to her forehead, he whispered, "The past doesn't define us anymore."

For the first time in years, Olivia slept soundly through the raging storm outside.

At six the next morning, Olivia's alarm buzzed softly. She had intended to rise early, prepare breakfast, and let Isabelle sleep in. But when she entered the kitchen, she froze at the unexpected sight - Liam, clad in an apron, already busy at work.

Olivia stared in disbelief. Liam Blackwood, heir to the prestigious Blackwood dynasty of Crestwood, was cooking breakfast and cleaning her kitchen. The scene was so surreal that if anyone heard about it, they'd never believe it.

After breakfast, Olivia and Isabelle departed together. Olivia had anticipated potential hiccups, but she hadn't expected everything to derail so spectacularly on the first day. Due to a production error, Olivia had been given the wrong call time. Though she typically arrived early, this miscommunication resulted in her being twenty minutes late.

Upon arrival, a flustered crew member rushed over, beads of sweat on their forehead. "Our deepest apologies, Miss Kensington. We initially scheduled for the time we gave you, but there was a last-minute change. We updated everyone through a group chat, and I didn't realize you weren't included."

Olivia's eyebrows arched as she noticed three young individuals nearby. "Who created this group?" she inquired.

An employee quickly answered, "It was organized by Victoria Ellington. The group admin is another actress - Miranda Graves."