---- Chapter 103 "I don't need you to take me home. I can go back on my own," Elias said. With that, he got out of the car and slammed the door behind him. Wendy watched his figure grow smaller in the distance . She bent over slightly, pressing a hand to her chest as sharp pain twisted through her heart. All these years, after going through so many betrayals and moments of being dismissed, she should have gotten used to it. But facing Elias' accusations still made her feel hurt and crushed.

Was there truly no one left in this world who could see past the surface? No one who might pause for just a moment and offer a shred of understanding? Her brows furrowed deeper as the pain in her chest worsened. Her vision blurred, and tears pooled in her eyes. Her nose began to sting. Suddenly, the phone in the back seat vibrated. She took a deep breath, grabbed a few pills from the center console , and swallowed them carelessly .

Then, she reached for her phone in her bag with some difficulty. "What's wrong?" A warm, low voice came from the other end. ---- "You took a while to answer. Were you busy?" Wendy didn't dare speak, afraid that Liam would hear the sob in her voice. She panted a few times before forcing out a smile. "It's nothing. Iwas driving. Couldn't pick up right away. Why are you calling?

It must be the middle of the night over there, right?" Liam paused for a few seconds, then asked instead, "Are you not feeling well?" That simple question of concern made Wendy's tears fall instantly. She had thought she could be strong enough to stand against the world alone. But hearing that gentle care, something clenched tight in her chest. She couldn't hold back her sobs, and the sound slipped through the receiver, carrying across the ocean to Liam's ears. "Where are you?

I'll send someone to help you." He didn't ask why. The moment he heard her choking up, Liam only thought about how to help. Wendy let out a tearful laugh. "It's fine. Why are you panicking ? I just got alittle lost while driving . Got scared." "T'll get Sean to come find you. Send me your location." His voice remained calm and steady, and that steadiness gave Wendy some strength. ---- "T'm really fine. I've found my way now.

Since you're calling this late, was there something important you wanted to say?" She changed the subject, steadying her voice and trying not to think about what had just happened. Hearing her calm down, Liam replied, "Wait until you're ina safe place before we talk about anything else." Wendy sighed lightly. "Why do you care so much about me?" "What else was I supposed to do? Stand by and watch you fall apart? Mock you when things go wrong?

Or point fingers at you from the sidelines?" His voice carried a subtle undercurrent of worry, hidden beneath his usual steadiness. Wendy didn't answer right away. Everything he said had already happened to her. When her world crumbled, people didn't just watch indifferently. They kicked her while she was down. Even Elias -once the person she trusted most-had changed. He wasn't the same older brother figure anymore. Wendy's throat tightened.

After a long pause, she managed a soft, tear-laced smile. "Liam, thank you. You've really helped mea lot." "Don't say it like that. I didn't help you because of anything you did. Thelped you because I wanted to," Liam said. His breath caught, and he sounded like he had more to say. But for ---- now, he held it back.