Chapter 657

Oliver Winston watched Liam Sullivan's utterly devastated state and sighed inwardly.

If Liam knew the whole truth—not just what had happened now, but everything that occurred at the engagement party—how much more heart-wrenching would it be?

Should he tell him?

Time seemed to stand still outside the operating room.

Sophia Miller arrived.

Ethan Roscente and Alexander Lowell rushed over as well.

Even Rose Smith hurried over with a food container—they had all been waiting here for far too long.

Sophia's eyes were swollen from crying.

After hearing the reason, she glared at Liam with pure hatred in her gaze.

If Alexander and Ethan hadn't held her back from both sides, she would have lunged at him.

The air was heavy and suffocating.

Everyone waited in silence.

They both hoped for the door to open and dreaded hearing any bad news.

Who could bear such an outcome?

Time crawled by, second by second.

Even the longest surgery must eventually end.

Finally, the "Surgery in Progress" light went out.

The pristine operating room doors swung open.

The doctors who emerged had faint bloodstains on their white coats.

Exhaustion was etched on every face.

The surgery had lasted several hours, requiring intense concentration.

Its difficulty was evident.

The waiting group surged forward as if electrified, their eyes blazing with urgency.

Only Liam remained where he stood.

His tall frame swayed slightly, as if a gust of wind could topple him.

His face was deathly pale.

His fingers trembled uncontrollably.

He didn't speak.

He just stared fixedly at the lead surgeon, a dark, desperate light churning in his eyes.

It was as if one ominous word from the doctor would shatter him on the spot.

The lead surgeon looked at Oliver, his tone grave.

"The surgery was successful."

"But one of her ribs fractured and punctured her lung, causing massive hemorrhage."

"It was extremely critical during the procedure."

"Fortunately, we intervened in time."

"However, the critical period isn't over."

"The biggest concern now is complications."

"Given her current physical condition, if a severe infection sets in, her situation could deteriorate rapidly."

"Complications? But the surgery was successful?" Sophia's hopeful expression instantly clouded with panic again.

The lead surgeon sighed.

His gaze swept over her and Oliver, carrying a hint of reproach.

"How long has it been since this young lady's last abortion procedure?"

"And now such a severe injury."

"Her body was already severely depleted."

"I warned before that she must not be injured again."

"That she's alive now is already a miracle."

Sophia and Oliver fell silent immediately, bowing their heads in shame.

But Liam looked as if struck by lightning.

His pupils contracted sharply.

He stared fixedly at the doctor.

His chapped lips moved.

His voice was hoarse, like rusted metal scraping.

"Abortion... What abortion procedure? Who had an abortion?"

The silence from Oliver and the others deepened further.

At this point, hiding it was impossible.

Moreover, their relationship had likely reached a dead end.

Letting him know the truth might actually be a form of release.

Oliver signaled for the doctor to leave first.

Then he turned to Liam, his expression solemn.

"Liam, there's something we've kept from you."

"Vivian had a miscarriage."

"It happened the night of your engagement party."

"She was worried her cousin would get into trouble running out, so she chased after her."

"She fell from the footbridge..."

"Your child... was lost on the spot."

Liam listened blankly.

His eyes were utterly vacant.

Not a trace of color remained on his deathly pale face.

His body swayed, almost unable to stand steady.

"Why..." Blood seeped from his chapped lips.

His voice was as rough as sandpaper.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Oliver patted his shoulder, guilt welling up inside.

"You were missing at the time."

"Vivian had already woken up before you returned."

"We all knew she was in so much pain she could barely go on."

"She forced herself to pull through."

"We were afraid she wouldn't forgive you."

"But after she recovered, she calmly said it wasn't your fault..."

"She didn't want you to suffer, so she made us all keep it from you."

"She said if you found out, she would never forgive us."

A faint, utterly bleak smile tugged at the corner of Liam's mouth.

"You were wrong."

His voice was as light as a sigh.

"She never intended to forgive me back then."

"She hated me."

"She wanted no connection with me whatsoever."

"Not telling me... was to completely shut me out of her world."