Liam's voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up, his tone so natural as if the unpleasant parting and staying out all night had never happened. As he spoke, he walked calmly to the bedside, reaching out with perfect ease, wanting to affectionately tuck the stray hairs from Clara's forehead behind her ear, just as he had done countless times before.
However, just as he leaned closer, Clara was caught off guard by the ambiguous, bright red scratches on the slightly open collar of his shirt, which clearly and unexpectedly came into view! The marks were fresh and glaring, silently telling the story of his intense and passionate encounter with another woman the night before.
She could force herself to ignore Vanessa's pale words and deliberately staged photos, but she couldn't turn a blind eye to the real, other woman's mark on Liam's body. Those red marks, like red-hot irons, branded the final mark of humiliation onto her lifeless heart.
“Honey, I was wrong last night. I shouldn’t have said those things to you, and I shouldn’t have left you alone.” Liam seemed oblivious to her sudden stiffness and dimmed eyes, continuing in his practiced, apologetic tone, even reaching out to hold her uninjured hand. “Vanessa was harassed when she returned to the country early. She’s unfamiliar with the place, and I only said those harsh words in a moment of panic. Please don’t be angry, okay?”
He observed her expression, then changed the subject, revealing his real purpose: "To express my apology and make up for last night's regret, I've invited Lila and Vanessa, along with a few close friends, tonight to find a place to celebrate your birthday separately and have a lively celebration. Also, Lila knows she went too far yesterday and wants to apologize in person for accidentally pushing you. What do you think?"
As he spoke, he took Clara's uninjured left hand, placed a gentle kiss on the smooth back of her hand, and when he looked up, his gaze was impeccably sincere.
However, looking into his seemingly affectionate eyes, Clara felt a chill instantly run through her body from the soles of her feet, as if she had fallen into an icy abyss, and even her blood was about to freeze.
Last night, she was driving home when she realized she'd forgotten to leave the painkillers and infection preventative medication prescribed by her doctor at the emergency room pharmacy. After a moment's hesitation, she turned her car around and drove back to the hospital.
Just as she was about to leave with the medicine, she heard those familiar voices again at the corner of the corridor leading to the VIP observation room. She instinctively stopped and hid in the shadows.
"Brother, the plan didn't work last night, and we almost got exposed. What should we do? What about the Bennett family's shares..." This was Lila's anxious voice.
"What's so difficult about that?" Vanessa replied, her voice still gentle, but her words as venomous as a snake's. "Tomorrow, find an excuse to apologize for accidentally pushing her yesterday and invite Clara out. There will be many people around, so find an opportunity to slip the drug into her drink or beverage! If it doesn't work once, surely it won't work every time?"
What chilled Clara to the bone was that Liam was standing right next to them, offering no objection, not even a moment's hesitation. Silence, at that moment, was tantamount to acquiescence and indulgence.
She didn't listen to any of their more vicious plans. Taking the medicine, she quietly left the hospital. That night, Liam didn't return home. In her heart, she still clung to a ridiculous illusion, thinking that he would at least feel a little guilty about yesterday's argument and her injuries, and wouldn't really be so heartless.
Unexpectedly, not only did he not return home all night, but he also carried the mark of another woman on his body, and the very next morning, he so eagerly and personally set up this obvious trap for her.
"I don't really want to go. My hand still hurts, and I'm not in the mood." Clara lowered her eyelashes, concealing all the emotions in her eyes, and refused in a low voice.
Upon hearing her refusal, Liam's gentle expression froze instantly, a hint of impatience and malice flashing in his eyes. But it was only for a moment; he quickly donned his tolerant and considerate mask, his tone coaxing and undeniably insistent: "Be good, listen to me. I've already made plans with my friends, and they all want to celebrate for you. Don't spoil their fun, okay?"
As he spoke, he leaned down and placed a tender kiss on Clara's smooth forehead, as if with endless affection.
Clara's hand, hidden under the covers, clenched quietly, her nails digging into her palm. She used the slight pain to keep herself absolutely alert and calm. She knew this was a trap, and there was no way to avoid it.
After a moment of silence, she looked up and met Liam's deep, meaningful eyes, and nodded obediently: "Okay, I'll go. But," she paused slightly, then made a condition, "I'll choose the location for the party."
Liam seemed taken aback by her request, but seeing that she finally agreed, the joy of achieving his goal made him overlook the slight impropriety, and he immediately agreed readily: "Okay, no problem! You can choose anywhere you want. Send me the address later, and I'll come pick you up directly after work tonight."
Upon hearing Clara's reply, Liam's face broke into a gentle, almost perfect smile, as if he were quite pleased with her "understanding." He stood up, in high spirits, and headed to the dressing room, where he changed into a clean, crisp shirt and carefully fastened his tie.
Before leaving, he turned around and reminded Clara, who was still sitting on the bed, "By the way, dress nicely tonight and put on some exquisite makeup. Your 26th birthday is special, so don't leave yourself any regrets."
His tone remained gentle, as if he were truly just a considerate husband who hoped his wife would look radiant during her belated birthday celebration.
However, watching him turn and walk away, his figure disappearing behind the door, Clara felt no pain in her heart, only a cold, resolute calm as the dust settled. He wanted a "perfect" farewell banquet? Fine, then she would give him a "feast" he would never forget.
