I jumped when I suddenly saw Liam appear in the doorway.
"It's nothing."
Even though I denied it, Liam's instincts told him something was wrong. His gaze fixed on me intently.
"When did you learn to lie? Where are you booking a flight to?"
Faced with his probing questions, I was silent for a few seconds before answering in a hoarse voice.
"You're about to have your mating ceremony. No matter where I go, it has nothing to do with you, does it?"
Liam had been suspicious, but hearing this made him think it was just another one of my tricks. His face returned to its cold expression.
"You're right, it has nothing to do with me. Sylvia was worried about you and asked me to check on you."
"I'm fine, Liam. You can go now."
This unusual, distant attitude caught him off guard.
Just as he was about to speak, a healer knocked and entered, announcing it was time for my checkup.
My leg was injured, and the silver dust in my system was suppressing my wolf's ability to heal, making it impossible for me to recover fully. I struggled to get out of bed and almost fell.
Liam's reflexes were quick as he caught me. I murmured a quiet thanks and tried to push the wheelchair away myself.
Seeing my covered in wounds and unable to move easily, he couldn't bear it. He took over pushing the wheelchair himself.
"Where's the examination room? I'll take you there."
"I can manage on my own."
When I refused, Liam only became more insistent, pushing me out of the hospital room.
Just as we got downstairs, we ran straight into Sylvia.
The moment he saw her, Liam immediately let go of the wheelchair to go to her.
It happened to be a slope, and the wheelchair, without time to brake, sped rapidly downward.
"Ah..."
Watching as it was about to crash into the flowerbed, my heart leaped. I forced myself to roll out of the wheelchair.
I fell to the ground, my hands and knees scraping against the pavement, cuts beading with blood.
I let out a pained groan, clutching my torn wounds as cold sweat beaded on my forehead.
Sylvia was also a little frightened and hurried forward to see if I was okay.
The wheelchair was smashed to pieces.
She looked at my injuries and tugged on Liam's arm.
"Liam, Sera is hurt badly, and the wheelchair is ruined. You should carry her to get it bandaged."
Hearing this, a subtle change appeared on Liam's expression.
He looked at the pained Sera, then his gaze fell on Sylvia, and he shook his head.
"No. Since you are going to be my mate in few days, I am not supposed to touch another woman."
Every word struck at my heart. I dug my nails into my palms hard enough to draw blood.
Unable to persuade him, Sylvia could only tell him to get a new wheelchair.
This time, Liam agreed.
After watching his retreating figure disappear, Sylvia handed me a handkerchief.
"That's just how Liam is. He only ever listens to me. Don't hold it against him. I also feel responsible for you getting hurt at the hotel, but our pup has been running a fever these past couple of days and I couldn't get away, so I had him come check on you in my place. I didn't expect another accident. Though unintentional, it's still our fault. I'm truly sorry."
I didn't know what act she was putting on today. Ignoring the pain, I got up on my own.
"Sylvia, I've already told you I won't fall for Liam anymore. Whether you're acting or really getting bound, I couldn't care less."
With that, I dragged my weary body and tried to leave.
But Sylvia still wasn't finished. She stepped forward to chase after me.
"So you know Liam and I are just acting..."
Her words were cut short by the sound of a huge splash that made me turn my head.
Seeing Sylvia had accidentally fallen into the pool and was struggling and calling for help, I hesitated for a few seconds before reaching out my hand.
The returning Liam saw this scene, sprinted over, and jumped into the pool to rescue Sylvia.
Looking at her pale, weak form as she coughed, he turned his furious glare on me.
"I was only gone for a few minutes, and you deliberately pushed Sylvia into the water?"
I never imagined that Liam would blame me for this.
Seeing his furious expression, I was about to explain, but he gave me no chance.
He cradled Sylvia in his arms, then roughly shoved me into the pool.
"I've tolerated your obsession with me all this time, but Sylvia is my limit. If you dare hurt her again, don't expect me to show you any mercy!"
His cold, stern tone mixed with the icy water flooded my ears.
The blood flowing from my body spread through the water, creating a pinkish-red haze.
When I was a child, I almost drowned, so I have a deep fear of water.
I couldn't swim. I kicked and struggled with all my might but couldn't reach the shore.
The oxygen in my lungs gradually depleted, my face turning purple as my heart slowed.
A dizziness washed over me, pulling my consciousness down into an endless darkness...
