Chapter 299
The midnight bell tolled twelve times.
The clamor of the evening faded away.
Liam Sullivan held Vivian Bennett's hand.
His steps were unsteady as they settled into the car.
He leaned his full weight against her shoulder.
The scent of alcohol mixed with his warm breath brushed against her neck.
Vivian turned to look at him.
His eyes were closed, his cheek pressed against her shoulder.
His sleeping face was as peaceful as a child's.
She didn't have the heart to disturb him.
Gently, she adjusted her posture to let him rest more comfortably.
Drunk Liam had shed his usual sharp edges.
His features softened, resembling a lost prince from a fairy tale.
But she was no princess who could leave behind a glass slipper.
After midnight, all dreams would vanish.
Vivian curled her fingers.
Her nails dug into her palms.
She struggled to support him back to his apartment at Lakeside Manor.
He remained completely unconscious throughout the journey.
Looking at the man collapsed on the bed, Vivian leaned on her knees, catching her breath.
She bent down to remove his shoes and cover him with the quilt.
Kneeling by the bedside, she watched him quietly.
If only she had seen through his heart earlier, she wouldn't have nurtured these foolish hopes.
Liam Sullivan, why must you always disturb her heart?
A sharp, numbing pain in her legs pulled her back to reality.
Vivian supported herself on the edge of the bed as she stood up.
A wave of dizziness washed over her.
Just as she was about to turn off the light and leave, a scorching palm suddenly seized her wrist.
Liam pulled her down onto the bed with force.
The world spun around her.
He braced his arms on either side of her.
His eyes were clear and alert, showing no trace of intoxication.
Vivian stared blankly at his suddenly approaching handsome face.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Vivian Bennett." He called her name in a low voice, the tone lingering with tenderness.
She widened her eyes, looking at him.
The corners of his lips curved into a pure, genuine smile.
It was so gentle it felt suffocating.
His fingertips brushed across her cheek.
"Do you know who my first woman was?" he asked softly.
His deep gaze locked onto hers, leaving no room for escape.
Vivian shook her head.
Oliver Winston and the others had been noisy all night without getting an answer.
How could she possibly know?
"You've hidden it so well. How could I possibly know?" she retorted with annoyance.
Yet her heart felt as if tickled by a feather, an unbearable itch.
Liam suddenly moved closer to her ear.
His breath was scorching. "It was you."
Vivian stared at him in shock, as if hearing the most absurd joke.
"How is that possible? You're drunk and confused." She pushed against his shoulders.
How could drunken words be taken seriously?
She had thought she might finally hear that answer that made her heart flutter.
Who knew this man wouldn't even forget to tease her while drunk.
Seeing her complete disbelief, Liam's gaze darkened.
He gripped her resisting wrists tightly.
Vivian was forced to meet his eyes.
"I'm telling the truth." He looked at her, his gaze devout.
Vivian suppressed a laugh. "Liam, you're drunk. Be good, stop messing around."
She soothed him gently as if coaxing a child, refusing to argue with a drunk.
Liam stared at her stubbornly.
No matter how she struggled, he didn't let go.
Instead, his grip tightened.
Vivian looked into his eyes.
She saw something almost resembling obsessive seriousness there.