Chapter 4

This trip had taken almost everything I had left.

After this, I might never have the strength to leave the house again.

Thankfully, at one in the afternoon, Liam finally called and said they were downstairs.

My mother was furious. It took me a long time to calm her down before she managed to keep her expression neutral.

The moment I got into the car, Vanessa turned to me with a coy little smile.

“Sorry, Claire. Liam got a little carried away last night. I couldn’t get out of bed this morning.”

My hand tightened slightly against my coat.

Liam folded my wheelchair and put it away, then got into the driver’s seat. Through the rearview mirror, he glanced at me once.

“Why are you explaining so much to her?” he said coldly.

I turned my face toward the window and waved calmly at my mother.

Liam drove fast.

The car lurched so badly I thought I might throw up, but I swallowed it down in silence.

It reminded me of the year he got his license.

Back then, he would often borrow his father’s car and take me out. He knew I got carsick, so he always drove carefully, slowing before every turn and braking so gently I barely felt it.

I used to feel sick in taxis and buses.

Never in Liam’s car.

Then Liam slammed on the brakes again.

My body gave out. I crashed hard against the back seat, my stomach twisting violently. A small sound escaped before I could stop it.

When Liam heard me, he sneered.

“Claire, you don’t actually think I’m still going to take care of you the way I did eight years ago, do you? No sudden stops. No sharp turns. No hard braking.”

I wiped the dampness from the corner of my eye and said softly, “No. You should take care of Vanessa now. She’s your girlfriend.”

Liam gave another cold laugh.

“You’re right.”

Then he stepped harder on the gas.

My back slammed into the seat again. Pain shot up my spine, sharp enough to steal my breath.

But I still smiled.

Hatred was fine.

At least while I was still alive, some part of me still mattered enough for him to hate.

It did not take long for us to reach the restaurant.

When we got out, Liam carried me from the car.

The moment I was back in his arms, I almost failed to hold myself together.

For one brief second, I could smell the familiar scent of him, clean soap and winter air. My fingers curled against my palm, but I did not dare touch him.

Liam carried me out quickly and set me into the wheelchair just as quickly.

Because the second he put me down, he turned to Vanessa and asked for wet wipes.

Then he scrubbed his hands hard.

Vanessa gave me an awkward smile from the side.

“Sorry, Claire. Liam’s a clean freak. If any woman other than me touches him, he gets uncomfortable.”

I lowered my head and pressed my lips together, pretending I had not seen what he did or heard what she said.

After that, I let Liam and Vanessa push me into the restaurant, walking arm in arm behind me.

As soon as we sat down, Liam picked up the menu and ordered several heavy, spicy dishes.

Listening to the server repeat the order, I quietly lowered my eyes.

I had never been able to eat spicy food.

Neither had Liam.

So it was obvious who he was ordering for.

I did not try to make things hard on myself.

In my current condition, even ordinary food was difficult. There was no way I could handle anything that rich or hot.

So I asked the server to add a plain vegetable soup for me.

For some reason, Liam suddenly lost his temper.