---- Chapter 158 Even after getting into the car, Wendy remained completely onedge. "Try to get some sleep," Liam said gently. "I'll wake you when we get home." Her face was pale, but at his suggestion, she finally closed her eyes to rest. The car rolled quietly through the streets back to her apartment complex. When Wendy opened her eyes again, some of the fear and tension from earlier had finally faded. "How long have we been parked? Why didn't you wake me?" she asked.

She glanced at the dashboard clock to see it was already 12:00 am. A new day had begun. While rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she noticed that her left hand was still wrapped in Liam's. She shifted slightly, and he immediately let go. Wendy pressed her lips together and quietly unbuckled her seatbelt. "You..." Liam started to say something , but before he could finish, a knock came at the car window. James stood outside, face shadowed by worry.

---- Wendy's expression went blank as she opened the door and stepped out. Liam's jaw tightened , and his brows knitted in frustration. "Are you okay?" James asked as soon as she got out. He reached for her hand. "I just heard about what happened. Are you hurt?" His eyes scanned her from head to toe, concern furrowing his brow. Wendy pulled her hand away. "I'm fine. What are you doing here?" Just yesterday, she had watched James and Liam face off.

Now, her body instinctively shifted to stand slightly in front of Liam, watching James with the same guarded look she'd worn earlier with Flynn. James faltered at the sight of her defensiveness. When he saw Liam behind her, his expression turned cold. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he said stiffly. Since when had his concern become something she treated like an intrusion? After saying that, James couldn't help but clench his jaw.

Ever since Liam came into the picture, Wendy had only grown more distant. "T'm fine," she said flatly. "If there's nothing else, you should go. I'm exhausted." ---- James glanced at Liam, then back at her. He hesitated, but finally stepped back. "Alright. Get some rest. Just-" He wanted to say more, but Wendy cut him off. "This has nothing to do with you." The air between them turned heavy, and the silence stretched awkwardly. James frowned deeper.

After a moment, he muttered, "I'll take my leave. But if anything happens, call me." He added one more line, his tone more pointed this time. "I just don't want Ethan to grow up without his mom." With that, he turned and left. He got into his car and drove off without another word, his exit brisk and cold, nothing like the way he'd arrived. Wendy watched as James drove off, and it was as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.

She turned to Liam, about to speak, but he gave her a gentle shake of the head. "Come on, Let's go upstairs." His voice was soft, and his expression was warm. Wendy didn't have the energy to push the conversation . She followed him inside, grateful for his patience. That night, Wendy jolted awake from one nightmare after another. By 4:00 am, she gave up trying to sleep entirely. ---- Asliver of light slipped in from the hallway. Wendy sat up, pulled ona robe, and stepped out of her room.

Liam was curled up on the couch, a light blanket draped over him. The moment he heard her, he opened his eyes. He looked at her, groggy but alert. "Do you need something?" he asked automatically.