Chapter 6

Tears shimmered in Olivia's eyes, but she clenched her jaw, refusing to let them fall. Her hand lifted instinctively toward Liam, but he'd already turned away, his broad shoulders radiating cold finality.

"Wait for me!" Evelyn's voice rang out as she rushed forward. Her fingers interlaced with Liam's as if they belonged together.

"Why is she even at this hotel? Either she's here to cause drama or meeting someone else. Honestly!" Evelyn whispered just loud enough to be heard. Liam's steps faltered momentarily at her words.

Instead of stopping, Liam violently yanked his hand free. "Enough!" he snapped.

As Liam slid into his luxury car, thunder rumbled ominously in the distance. The skies opened as Evelyn stepped outside, her designer dress instantly drenched. Her perfectly styled hair now plastered to her face as she ran toward the car, fingers grasping at the door handle.

To her shock, it remained locked. "Liam, open up!" she pleaded, pounding on the tinted window.

Then came the mocking voice from behind her. "Pathetic."

Evelyn whirled to see Natalie standing under the hotel awning, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips.

"She attacked me earlier, and now she's—" Evelyn's eyes flashed with venom before quickly morphing into wounded innocence as she tapped the window again.

"Cut the act. Just check the security footage," Natalie's sharp voice cut through the rain. "Liam, be a decent man. Stay faithful to your wife instead of risking diseases with shameless women. Think about Olivia!"

"You!" Rage contorted Evelyn's features at the insult. She turned to confront Natalie, but the roar of Liam's engine drowned her out as he drove away.

"Olivia, let's go," Natalie said firmly, shooting Evelyn one last scathing look before guiding Olivia back inside to finish their work.

When closing time arrived, the storm showed no signs of relenting.

"I'll drive you home," Natalie offered, helping Olivia into a raincoat.

Olivia shook her head hesitantly. Natalie's place was in the opposite direction.

"Then take a cab. Don't save that bastard's money!" Natalie huffed.

Olivia managed a weak smile and nodded.

But no taxi would venture so far in such weather. By the time Olivia reached home via subway, her clothes were soaked through, her lips blue from cold.

Shivering violently, Olivia pressed her finger to the biometric lock—only to find it unresponsive. Liam had locked her out.

"Sir..." The butler hesitated, glancing at the torrential rain outside. But under Liam's imposing glare, he remained silent.

The study lay in darkness, Liam's silhouette barely visible as he sat motionless. His eyes remained fixed on the security footage playing across his screen, emotions churning like the storm outside. What had Olivia been doing at that hotel?

Liam meticulously reviewed every angle—Olivia and Natalie's arrival, their encounter with Evelyn, Olivia's departure. She'd merely been delivering books.

"How long has she been back?" Liam's voice softened slightly after watching the final clip.

"About an hour..." the butler murmured, eyes downcast. "Your wife has been at the door this entire time."

Another thunderclap shook the mansion, lightning illuminating the rain-lashed windows.

Olivia had always been terrified of thunderstorms. As a child, she'd hide under blankets during storms. Now she stood alone in the downpour.

Liam remained silent, his expression unreadable as he pushed past the butler and descended the grand staircase. Peering through the rain-streaked glass, he assumed Olivia had left.

But when he opened the door, he found Olivia collapsed on the marble steps, unconscious, her skin ice-cold to the touch.