NovelGoldChapter 326 Mandy sat in the passenger seat, head bowed, her hair a tangled mess that half- concealed the vivid red handprint blooming across her cheek.
Her hands were tightly intertwined in her lap, fingers rubbing anxiously together until her knuckles turned pale from the pressure.
She stole a sideways glance at Liam, who kept his eyes on the road, jaw set in silent focus. Mandy opened her mouth several times, but each tthe words died before she could form an excuse.
The silence in the car was suffocating-so still and heavy it seemed to stretch out every passing second. Mandy's mind raced, scrambling for an explanation that wouldn't sound like a lie.
But all the way home, Liam didn't ask a single question.
The more he kept his silence, the more uneasy Mandy felt.
Finally, the car rolled to a gentle stop.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLiam unfastened his seatbelt and stepped out without a word.
Mandy drew a shaky breath, then followed him, trailing a few steps behind as they entered the house.
Inside, Liam went straight to the sofa and sat down, folding his hands over his knees. He watched Mandy with calm, steady eyes-a look that felt equal parts concerned and scrutinizing.
Mandy hovered by the doorway, nerves fraying with every tick of the clock.
At last, Liam broke the silence with a quiet sigh. "Csit down. I'll grab the first aid kit." His voice was neutral, giving nothing away.
Mandy hesitated, then only after he'd left the room did she slowly perch on the edge of the sofa.
This was only her second tin Liam's home, but everything was just as pristine as she remembered. The furniture sat in neat, purposeful arrangements. Not a speck of dust in sight.
Well, of course. He was gay.
Gay men were always tidy. Or so the stereotype said.
The thought made her suddenly self-conscious. Did he and his boyfriend ever... do things on this couch? As the idea flashed through her mind, Mandy shot to her feet.
"What's wrong?" Liam had just returned, first aid kit in hand, catching her in her awkward panic.
"Oh, nothing. Really." "Sit down. Lettake care of that." He nodded at her cheek.
Mandy eyed the sofa with faint distaste, but steeled herself and sat anyway.
Liam knelt in front of her and opened the ointment, dabbing a bit onto a cotton pad. His touch was gentle as he applied it to her cheek.
They were so close, Mandy could smell the faint, clean scent of soap lingering on his skin-subtle and comforting. She'd always liked his face: handsome, refined, with a glint of mischief in his eyes and a softness around his mouth.
Now, with him just inches away, Mandy's breath caught, her heartbeat skipping wildly.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmDesperate to break the tension, she cleared her throat and muttered, "Could you...not tell my mom or Claire about what happened today?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, edged with nervous hope.
Liam paused, meeting her gaze with steady intensity. "Were you threatened?" "What?" Mandy blinked, Noth then quickly shook ber head. No, no, e that nothing like that." Liam's eyes narrowed. "The guy on the motorcycle-isn't he the one from the bar? The one who tried to get you to drink with him? If he didn't threaten you, why are you still hanging around people like that?" Mandy opened her mouth, but the truth stuck in her throat.
"If he's harassing you, I can handle it," Liam said flatly.
Startled, Mandy shook her head hard. "No, really, he's not. There's nothing going on" After all, she still hoped to squeeze smoney out of Normand.
Liam studied her face, clearly weighing whether to believe her.
Mandy shrank back a little, and then, as if to put distance between them, ve spe pulled a bank card from her pocket and offered it to him.
"Your money-I'm giving it back." Liam's eyes narrowed. "Forget the money. What do you really want?" She gave a nervous laugh. "You want me, is that it?" "Or maybe you'd rather I go public with what you did to me?"
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