Chapter 383

The night was pitch black.

Liam Sullivan crossed the desolate lawn and immediately spotted the figure curled up in the darkness.

Vivian Bennett sat alone on the cold ground, her slender shoulders trembling slightly.

The moonlight outlined her pale profile, tear stains long dried.

She resembled a sculpture that had lost its soul, frozen silently in the cold wind.

"Vivian..."

Liam's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a barely noticeable tremor.

He slowly knelt down, his fingertips almost touching her hair.

Vivian slowly lifted her eyelids.

In her blurred vision, his sharply defined outline came into focus.

She tugged at the corner of her mouth, revealing a broken smile.

Tears finally slid down silently.

Liam quickly unbuttoned his overcoat and wrapped her icy body in his still-warm jacket.

"Let's go home."

He carefully scooped her up into his arms.

Vivian obediently leaned against his chest, like a wounded little animal.

A terrifying ferocity churned in Liam's eyes, yet his movements were incredibly gentle.

The person in his arms felt like a fragile treasure.

He had to take her back and carefully mend her.

The black car sliced through the night.

Vivian sat quietly in the passenger seat, motionless under his coat.

Her eyes were open, gazing emptily out the window.

Liam gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white.

The villa was brightly lit.

Liam carried Vivian through the living room straight to the bathroom.

She still showed no reaction, only instinctively pressing closer to his warm chest.

"Take a hot bath first."

His voice was terribly hoarse.

Vivian gave no response.

The bathtub was filled with hot water.

Liam tested the temperature and carefully removed her mud-stained clothes.

Her cold skin touched the air, causing a shiver.

He gently placed her in the water and meticulously wiped her with a towel.

Hot water flowed over her fair skin.

Liam's movements were extremely gentle, afraid of hurting her.

"Vivian..."

He knelt beside the tub and cupped her face.

His fingertips brushed her icy cheek, causing a violent tremble.

Liam pressed his forehead against hers, his voice strained. "Why did you go? You knew they would hurt you."

Only silence answered him.

Vivian's damp eyes remained open, dark like obsidian in the night.

That gaze seemed to pierce right through him.

She bit her lower lip fiercely, drawing blood.

Liam tried to loosen her clenched jaw, but met with even stronger resistance.

"Cry if it hurts."

His voice held a plea.

Vivian remained silent.

Those beautiful eyes were filled with shattered starlight.

Her heavy breathing created ripples on the water's surface.

As if she might sink beneath the water at any moment.