Chapter 279
Zachary Hudson leaned in close, his intense gaze locking onto her.
His voice was hoarse. "Vivian Bennett, are you alright?"
His eyes were bloodshot, his voice heavy with the fatigue of a hangover. "I drank too much last night. I missed your call."
He paused, his tone confused. "Why were you calling me so late?"
His eyes scanned her pale face, his brow furrowing deeper. "You're just getting back from outside this early? You look terrible."
He abruptly pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
His voice trembled. "I'm sorry you suffered! I should have checked my phone sooner..."
Vivian Bennett felt completely drained, her mind a blank slate.
She let him hold her, listening to his self-recriminating words.
She had no strength to explain.
So that desperate call for help last night had accidentally gone to him.
But he was too drunk to be conscious, completely unable to save her.
If she had really waited for him to come, everything would have been beyond saving.
What she needed was timely rain, not hindsight.
Vivian closed her eyes, her heart turning cold.
Relying on him was indeed unreliable.
Fortunately, Liam Sullivan had come.
......
Liam Sullivan opened his eyes. The space beside him was empty.
He frowned slightly.
Did she just use him and leave?
Then his expression softened.
That did seem like her style.
A smile unconsciously tugged at the corner of his mouth.
After showering, he changed his clothes.
Images from last night replayed incessantly in his mind.
She had been unbearably desperate, yet stubbornly refused to beg him.
His lips curved into a smile again.
He wondered where that stubbornness came from.
As he put on his jacket, a phone slipped from his pocket.
He bent down to pick it up.
It was her phone.
After replying to the message last night, he had absentmindedly tucked it into his pocket.
Holding the white phone, a glint flashed in his eyes.
This was a good excuse to see her.
He wanted to know what expression she would have when she saw him again after last night.
......
Vivian's legs had gone numb from standing. She finally spoke. "Let me go."
She struggled but couldn't break free.
Her voice was calm. "You've misunderstood. I'm fine."
She gave a light laugh. "I drank too much last night too. It was just a wrong number."
Zachary was stunned, looking at her with disbelief.
Her pale complexion, her exhausted appearance...
The strength in his arms loosened slightly.
Vivian seized the chance to push him away, meeting his eyes directly. "Really, it's nothing. Don't overthink it."
Zachary's brow remained tightly furrowed. "But why are you coming from outside? And why are you so tired..."
He asked cautiously, his gaze full of scrutiny.