Chapter 610
Liam Sullivan stood by the hospital bed.
Vivian Bennett lay on her side.
Her gaze was fixed on the window.
The curtains were half-drawn.
Sunlight filtered through the gap.
It cast dappled patterns on the floor.
Liam watched her.
Her profile looked especially pale in the light.
Her eyelashes were lowered.
They veiled the emotions in her eyes.
He remembered the last time she was like this.
It was a long time ago.
Back then, she had misunderstood him.
She kept the same distance.
Neither cold nor warm.
Like an invisible veil between them.
He hadn't expected the engagement to hurt her this deeply.
It far exceeded his expectations.
"Vivian."
He took a step closer.
His voice was very soft.
"I know you're angry."
"It's my fault."
"I shouldn't have broken our promise."
"I shouldn't have left you alone at the engagement party."
"I don't dare ask you not to be angry."
"But you're sick now."
"Don't think about those things for now."
"Wait until you're better."
"You can be as angry as you want then."
"Alright?"
He leaned down closer to her.
His breath was warm.
It carried a careful, pleading tone.
But Vivian shrank further under the covers.
She pulled the edge of the blanket higher.
It covered half her face.
Only her eyes were visible.
They watched him quietly.
"Then tell me."
Her voice was very soft.
Yet it carried a chill.
"Why did you abandon me?"
"What could be more important than our engagement?"
Her breath was weak as she spoke.
As if she had used all her strength.
Even though she had already told herself.
The reason didn't matter anymore.
But the grievances and resentment.
Still surged up uncontrollably.
Making her want to ask for clarity.
Liam looked at her defensive posture.
His heart felt as if pricked by a needle.
In front of her.
He had actually made her feel so insecure.
"Vivian."
He patiently explained.
"I was ambushed these past two days."
"I was unconscious the whole time."
"Someone wanted to ruin our marriage."
"So they planned this scheme."
"To make the engagement fail."
"Do you understand?"
"You're so smart."
"You'll definitely figure it out."
His eyes held a plea.
Begging for her understanding.
Vivian's fingers trembled slightly.
Her lips grew even paler.
"I understand."
She said softly.
"So you couldn't come."
"Because you were ambushed."
"It was beyond your control."
"It wasn't that you didn't want to come."
"Yes."
Liam quickly nodded.
His voice gentle.
"I've been looking forward to it for so long."
"How could I really abandon you?"
He could only blame himself for being overconfident.
Thinking he could handle those people.
He did defeat them.
But he never expected to see that mark.
Shocked.
He was ambushed by Luna Clark.
Otherwise, according to plan.
He would have made it back.
"Then."
But Vivian didn't let him off.
She continued questioning.
"Who was the person who could lure you away?"
"Why could she lure you away?"
Liam froze instantly.
He couldn't explain this.
Saying it would only cause a bigger misunderstanding.
"Vivian."
He pleaded helplessly.
"There are some things I can't tell you right now."
"But I promise."
"I absolutely never intended to abandon you."
"Believe me one more time."
A pang of sourness hit Vivian's heart.
She smiled bleakly.
"Even now."
"You still won't tell me the truth."
"Liam Sullivan."
"Have you ever considered my feelings?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I stood in front of all the guests."
"And proudly said."
"You were late because you wanted to give me a unique gift."
"I asked them to wait patiently."
"To witness your love for me."
"I said your unique love."
"Was the gift I wanted most."
Remembering how she stood on the stage then.
Forcing herself to appear happy.
She now only found it ridiculous.
Who was she really fooling? The guests?
Or herself?
She was merely convincing herself.
To give him one more hour.
To wait for one more chance.
But what finally arrived.
Was only humiliation.
All the lies were exposed.
Pretending to be so happy.
Only to end up utterly ashamed.