Chapter 454

Vivian Bennett knew his obsessive streak was surfacing again.

Ignoring him would only invite more persistent pestering.

She looked down at her phone screen.

"When are you coming back? You said I couldn't leave until you returned. I have an important meeting this afternoon. If you don't come back soon, I'll have to go anyway."

Liam Sullivan stared at the message for a moment.

His slender fingers tapped rapidly on the screen.

"Wait for me. Soon."

He pressed the call button.

A nurse entered quickly.

"Please redo the bandages." He gestured to his heavily wrapped hand. "It's too bulky. Affects the appearance."

The nurse frowned. "Mr. Sullivan, this isn't conducive to healing."

"Do as I say." His tone was flat but brooked no argument.

The nurse went to fetch the attending physician.

The doctor entered with a stern expression.

"Mr. Sullivan, you're toying with your health." The doctor adjusted his glasses. "Repeated bandaging hinders recovery. It could even cause infection."

A faint smile touched Liam's pale lips.

"If you won't help, I'll have to do it myself." He toyed carelessly with the edge of the gauze. "Would you stand by while a patient struggles alone?"

The doctor was angered by his indifferent attitude.

But professional ethics prevented him from doing nothing.

"Prepare the dressing change kit." The doctor instructed the nurse. He turned back to Liam. "I hope you understand your body isn't capital to squander. How heartbroken your family would be to see this."

A flicker of mockery passed through Liam's eyes.

"You're not family. How would you know they'd be heartbroken?" He chuckled softly. "Perhaps they'd be delighted."

The doctor paused.

"A woman who watched my finger get severed without blinking." Liam looked down at his hand. "Would she care about a minor injury like this?"

Silence fell in the hospital room.

The doctor said no more. He carefully redressed the wound.

This time, following Liam's request, the bandaging was much more refined.

"Done." The doctor tied the final knot. "But you must still be careful. Keep it dry."

Liam examined his hand with satisfaction.

"Thank you. It looks much better now." He looked up. "Also, I want to be discharged."

The doctor opened his mouth, then swallowed his objections.

After completing the paperwork, Liam changed back into his suit.

The doctor watched his tall, solitary figure and spoke impulsively. "Young man, don't be so pessimistic. Someone will love you. Have faith in life."

Liam didn't stop walking. A self-mocking curve lifted his lips.

How could there be despair when hope never existed?

His world had long sunk into the abyss.

This was just falling deeper.

Since shattering was inevitable, what remained to fear?

Vivian set down her phone and struggled to rise from the bed.

Every muscle ached fiercely.

Though he hadn't been rough last night, his demands were urgent and relentless.

As if deliberately tormenting her.

A dull pain throbbed in her lower abdomen. Her back ached too much to straighten.

If not for the afternoon meeting, she would have stayed in bed all day.

She changed into her professional suit, pulling her hair into a meticulous updo.

The reflection showed a capable, efficient woman.

Except...

Vivian stared in frustration at the skin revealed by her collar.

Faint, mottled love marks peeked through.

She gritted her teeth in anger.

If colleagues saw this, she would die of embarrassment.

It was all that bastard's fault.