Chapter 112
Alice’s smile faded. There was a time when her sweet words could convince Liam
to do anything. But now, he wasn’t so easily swayed.
Grace couldn’t hold back a laugh at their exchange from the doorway.
At the sound of her voice, Liam stirred as though ready to get up. But then, something seemed to click, and he settled back down, deliberately turning his
face away.
“What are you doing here? My leg’s been broken for 18 hours. You could’ve waited until I was dead before showing up.”
He scowled, too furious to look in her direction. Then, he noticed Grace’s empty hands. Even strangers knew to bring flowers, but his own sister came with nothing like she couldn’t even be bothered.
And that was when it hit him-how she had used him and tossed him aside. His anger flared even hotter.
“Grace, just leave. I don’t want you here.”
Grace knew Liam like the back of her hand. He’d be the first to swear he didn’t want it if he really wanted something. She eased into the chair beside him, plucked a piece of fruit from the nightstand, and started peeling it.
Liam watched, his irritation easing almost immediately. She had the apple peeled in no time. Just as he reached for it, she took a bite from it.
“Grace!” He nearly blew a gasket, his chest heaving with frustration. He would’ve stormed out on the spot if his leg weren’t all bandaged up!
Grace grinned, sliced off a piece, and held it to his mouth. “Alright, I’ll quit messing with you. Here, eat.”
The insults backed up in Liam’s throat. He wanted to snap at her but couldn’t quite bring himself to do it. She had him figured out, plain and simple. Still, he did want that fruit.
After a few seconds of sulking, he caved and took the bite. “Meh. Too tart.”
Their easy banter unfolded like a private show, and Alice found it painfully irritating to watch. She knew Liam was spoiled through and through.
If he truly didn’t care about someone, he wouldn’t waste a word on them. The more he cared, the more he’d talk trash like some kid acting out just to get attention.
Grace was the only one he ever unloaded all those ridiculous demands on. Alice’s hand clenched at her side, the color draining from her face.
It finally dawned on Liam that he’d been ignoring her, and he scrambled to fix it. “Alice, Grace is here too. Can we just call a truce today? For me, please.”
Alice got to her feet, her smile tight and brittle. “I think I’ll step out for some air. Actually, there are a few things I need to go over with Grace anyway.”
Liam nodded, then immediately turned his full attention back to Grace. “And you. Can you try not to stir up drama with the family today? I’m in rough shape here. You don’t even know how terrified I was last night. Sloan’s car came out of nowhere. I seriously thought I was done for.”
He was itching to spill every last detail of what he had gone through as he had been simmering with helpless frustration. This was all Sloan’s fault, but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.
Grace raised her hand to ruffle his hair.
Liam instantly threw up a hand to block her. “Hands off! Guys’ heads are off-limits, just like girls’ waists!”
She pulled back, asking, “So, you and Sloan planned that race on purpose?”
“I didn’t plan anything. He just barged in. This is all on you. You used me and tossed me aside, so I went out driving to blow off steam, and there he was. Just my luck. Even Mom and Dad told me to let it go.”
Grace went blank, fumbling for some empty reassurance. Liam saw right through it, and it only pissed him off more.
She stuck around for barely half an hour before getting ready to leave. Liam, never the type to ask anyone to stay, just made her promise to come back tomorrow.
Grace spotted Alice lingering by the stairs on her way out of the hospital.