---- Chapter 159 Before Wendy could answer, Liam had already stood up, the blanket around his shoulders slipping to the floor. She blinked, slightly confused. "Why are you sleeping here?" "Thad a quick call with a contact overseas," he said casually." T guess I nodded off without realizing it." He walked to the kitchen, poured her a glass of warm water, and then handed it to her gently. "Did you have a nightmare?" he asked softly. Wendy lowered her gaze, took a sip, and gave a slight nod.

"Tcan't fall asleep anymore," she murmured with a sigh. "You should go back to your room. You'll catch a cold out here." Liam shook his head. "I can't sleep either." Wendy didn't question him. She sat down on the couch, staring blankly at a magazine on the coffee table. "Flynn's mom passed away at the hospital this morning," she said suddenly, her voice flat. "What he did tonight... it was retaliation." Liam sat beside her and gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment.

"But you weren't even her attending doctor. Why target you?" Wendy frowned. "There was a surgery he interrupted once, and I couldn't get to the room in time afterward. He's ---- convinced her condition got worse because of me." "People like that aren't just irrational -they're dangerous . Don't blame yourself. If it hadn't been you, it would've been someone else," Liam said softly. His gaze on her was full of concern, gentle and steady. She nodded. "I know.

But I can't stop seeing him bursting into my office..." That moment-and the earlier threat when he showed up with a knife-kept flashing in her mind like a loop she couldn't turn off. Liam reached over and took her hand. "You don't have to be scared. I'm right here." Wendy looked up at him, eyes meeting his, her heart full of silent gratitude. "Thank you, Liam. I don't know what I would've done if it weren't for you today." "I promise. Nothing like this will ever happen again," Liam said firmly.

Liam's voice carried a steady strength, gradually calming Wendy's nerves. From the very beginning of this ordeal, he had been by her side, pulling her out of panic and helping her breathe again. Wendy smiled faintly, a soft glimmer in her eyes. "I still remember back in college, when Professor Griffin chewed me out. You were the one who comforted me, just like this." Wendy suddenly recalled an old memory, a faint smile ---- tugging at the corner of her lips as she spoke.

"Do you remember that?" Liam let out a quiet chuckle. "Yeah. That was the first time I ever saw you cry." 'The memories of college days seemed to push away the cloud that had hung over her all night. Soon, the morning light began spilling through the windows. Wendy had dozed off on the couch, and Liam gently draped the blanket over her. Then, slowly and carefully , he carried her back to the bedroom. He sat by the bed for a moment, watching her sleep peacefully.

He reached out, brushing a hand lightly across her furrowed brow. His fingers moved downward, almost touching her cheek, but he stopped. He didn't want to take advantage of the moment to get closer to Wendy, even if she'd never realize how much he was fighting the urge. Liam tucked the blanket around her, stood up, and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him. In the dim light, Wendy slowly opened her eyes.

Because of everything that had happened, she had taken the day off from the hospital. It was nearly noon by the time she stirred again, the smell of food pulling her from sleep. ---- She slipped out of bed and padded toward the living room. As she entered, she saw Liam at the kitchen counter, wearing an apron and busy cooking. "You're up?" he said, turning to look at her. "Go wash up. Lunch is almost ready."