Liam's expression remained cold and unyielding, but Vadal could see a flicker of emotion in his eyes. "She was hurting herself," Liam said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I had to stop her."
Vadal's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he looked at Liam. "And the kiss?" he asked, his voice dripping with accusation. "Was that part of stopping her?"
Liam's expression didn't change, but Vadal could sense a hint of defensiveness behind his eyes. "Mind your own business, Vadal," Liam said, his voice cold and detached.
Vadal's eyes flashed with anger, but he bit back his retort. Instead, he turned his attention back to Sofia, his expression softening as he looked at her battered face. "I need to get her to a hospital," he said, his voice firm. "She needs medical attention, ASAP."
Liam's expression didn't change, but Vadal could sense a hint of reluctance behind his eyes. "No hospital," Liam said, his voice firm.
Vadal's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean, no hospital?" he asked, his voice incredulous. "She needs medical attention, Liam. She's badly hurt."
Liam's expression remained unyielding. "I'll take care of her," he said, his voice cold and detached.
Vadal's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he looked at Liam. "You're not a doctor, Liam," he said, his voice firm. "You can't just take care of her on your own. She needs professional medical attention."
Liam's expression didn't change, but Vadal could sense a hint of anger behind his eyes. "I said, I'll take care of her," Liam repeated, his voice low and menacing.
Vadal's eyes flashed with anger, but he bit back his retort. Instead, he turned his attention back to Sofia, his expression softening as he looked at her battered face. "Fine," he said, his voice firm. "But I'm staying here to make sure she gets the care she needs. And if I think for one second that you're not taking care of her properly, I'll take her to the hospital myself."
Liam's expression didn't change, but Vadal could sense a hint of surprise behind his eyes. He hadn't expected Vadal to stand up to him like that.
Liam's gaze lingered on Vadal's face for a moment, as if sizing him up. Then, without a word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Vadal alone with Sofia.
Vadal let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He had never seen Liam like that before. He was always in control, always calm and collected. But now, he seemed... different.
Vadal pushed the thought aside and focused on Sofia. He gently checked her vital signs, wincing at the extent of her injuries. He knew he had to get her treated and comfortable,
As he worked, Vadal couldn't help but wonder what had happened between Liam and Sofia. He knew they had a complicated history, but he had no idea it was now this bad.
Just as Vadal was finishing up Sofia's care, Liam returned to the room, a bowl of ice water and a towel in his hand. "I brought this," he said, his voice still cold and detached.
Vadal raised an eyebrow, surprised by Liam's sudden concern. "Thanks," he said.
Vadal looked up, expecting Liam to say something, but instead, Liam ignored him and walked past him to settle down beside Sofia on the bed.
Liam's eyes fixed intently on Sofia's face, his expression unreadable. Vadal watched him for a moment, wondering what was going through his mind.
Vadal shook his head, focusing on the task at hand. He needed to get Sofia cleaned up and comfortable. He reached for the bowl of water, but Liam beat him to it, picking it up and cradling it in his lap.
Vadal raised an eyebrow, but Liam didn't even acknowledge him. He simply sat there, staring at Sofia's face, the bowl of water forgotten in his lap.
Vadal's eyes narrowed as he watched Liam sit beside Sofia, the bowl of water cradled in his lap. He seemed completely absorbed in Sofia's face, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made Vadal's skin prickle.
Vadal felt a shiver run down his spine as he watched Liam. There was something unsettling about the way he was staring at Sofia, something that made Vadal's instincts scream warning.
He tried to shake off the feeling, telling himself he was just being paranoid. But as he watched Liam sit beside Sofia, his eyes never leaving her face, Vadal couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong.
Suddenly, Liam's head turned, his eyes locking onto Vadal's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension.
Then, without a word, Liam turned back to Sofia, his eyes never leaving her face. Vadal felt a shiver run down his spine as he watched Liam, his instincts screaming warning.
"Get out," a deep cold voice sounded, his voice expressionless.
Vadal's eyes narrowed as he met Liam's gaze. He could feel the tension in the air, the weight of Liam's unspoken warning.
Without a word, Vadal turned and walked out of the room, the door closing softly behind him. As he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had just been dismissed by Liam, like a servant being told to leave.
Vadal's eyes flashed with pity, but he bit back his retort. He knew better than to cross Liam, especially when he was in a mood like this.
As he walked away from the room, Vadal couldn't help but wonder what was going on between Liam and Sofia. There was clearly more to the story of this two love rivals than he knew, and he was determined to find out what it was.
Liam took a dry towel and dampened it in the water, then started wiping Sofia's face. Her body was scorching hot, and she remained unconscious, unaware of Liam's gentle touch.
As he wiped her face, Liam's eyes locked onto Sofia's, his gaze burning with a deep pain. His heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces, and his soul was screaming in agony.
Liam's eyes turned red, the blood vessels visible beneath the surface, but there were no tears in them. He was beyond tears. He was beyond pain. He was beyond anything that could be explained.
All he could do was stare at Sofia, his eyes drinking in the sight of her battered and bruised face. He felt like he was drowning in his own emotions, suffocating under the weight of his own guilt and regret.
Liam's hand stilled, the towel hovering above Sofia's face as he struggled to breathe. He felt like he was dying, like his heart was being ripped out of his chest.
And yet, he couldn't look away. He couldn't tear his eyes away from Sofia's face, no matter how much pain it caused him. He was trapped in his own private hell, and Sofia was the only one who could save him.