Chapter 683

Liam Sullivan stood at the top of the stairs, holding a freshly prepared breakfast tray.

His face was pale, dark circles of exhaustion shadowed his eyes, yet he forced a bright smile onto his lips.

It was a dazzling smile, almost painfully bright.

Vivian Bennett descended the stairs step by step.

She looked at him, feeling as if something heavy was lodged in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

He had been like this for days.

No matter how coldly she treated him, no matter how she ignored him, he would approach her as if nothing was wrong.

Gentle, considerate, almost to the point of being subservient.

It was exhausting.

Watching him force that smile was exhausting for her too.

"I don't want it."

She didn't even glance at the breakfast tray, her voice as cold as ice.

Liam's eyes dimmed for a fleeting moment before brightening again.

"Please, just a little. You're still recovering. Breakfast is important."

His voice was soft, carrying a coaxing tone.

"My body is my own concern."

Vivian turned her face away, her tone rigid. "You know I won't eat it. Why bother making it every day?"

Yes, why bother?

These past days, he rose earlier than anyone, preparing different breakfasts each morning.

Yet she hadn't touched a single one.

The trays were brought up, only to be taken back down untouched.

Eventually, they ended up in the trash.

Liam smiled, a bitter twist to his lips.

"It's not a waste. I... enjoyed making it."

He turned and walked towards the kitchen, discarding the untouched breakfast.

His movements were slightly slow, his right hand seeming less agile than usual.

Vivian caught a glimpse of a red, swollen patch on his wrist.

"What happened to your hand?"

"Nothing. I must have slept on it wrong."

He brushed it off lightly, but couldn't suppress a sudden sneeze.

A wave of dizziness hit him. He steadied himself by gripping the back of a chair.

Vivian pressed her lips together.

"I'm going out to buy some things."

She headed for the door without another word.

"Let me drive you."

Liam reached out and caught her arm.

His palm was burning hot.

Vivian jerked her arm away as if scalded.

"No."

Her voice grew even colder. "Do I not even have the freedom to leave the house?"

Liam's hand froze in mid-air.

"That's not what I meant... It's hard to get a taxi here. Let the driver take you."

He paused, then asked, "Will you be back for lunch?"

"No."

Vivian didn't look back.

She couldn't bear to see him again, wearing an apron, bustling around the kitchen.

She couldn't bear to see the hope in his eyes, only for it to be dashed over and over.

The door opened, then closed.

Liam stood in place, listening to the sound of the car engine fading into the distance.

He looked down at his swollen wrist.

A burn from trying a new recipe last night.

It wasn't just his wrist. There were several blisters on his fingers too.

But it didn't matter.

As long as she hadn't noticed.

He walked to the window, watching the car disappear around the corner.

Then he slowly made his way back to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

It was packed full of ingredients.

He took out a pack of ribs and some vegetables.

Just in case she changed her mind and came back for lunch.

He had to be prepared.

The sunlight outside was bright.

He stood at the counter, slowly slicing ginger.

His forehead felt warm, yet chills ran through his body intermittently.

He must have caught a chill last night.

He sniffled and continued his task.

The knife rose and fell in a steady rhythm.

As if by doing this, he could slowly fill the hollow, empty spaces inside his heart.