Chapter 32
Chapter 32:
“Put… put me down,” she whispered weakly.
“No,” Liam said.
He lifted her bridal-style, turning his back on Ethan.
“I’m taking you to the hospital,” Liam announced to the room.
“Class dismissed p>
He carried her up the stairs and out of the hall.
Ethan watched them go, his fists clenched at his sides. “Asshole,” he muttered.
In the car, Liam shoved her into the back seat of his Maybach and climbed into the front.
“I can walk,” Skye protested, leaning her head against the cool window.
“Shut up,” Liam said. His hands were shaking on the steering wheel. He ripped open the glove compartment and threw a protein bar at her. “Eat p>
“I’m not hungry p>
“Eat it!” Liam yelled. Then his voice cracked. “You’re starving yourself. You’re working too hard. This ends now p>
Skye peeled back the wrapper and took a bite. She watched him in the rearview mirror. His eyes were wide, terrified. He had been scared.
“Stay away from Vance,” Liam commanded, merging onto the highway. “He’s dangerous. He’s a player p>
Skye swallowed the dry bar. “And you’re safe, Liam? You’re the model of fidelity p>
Liam didn’t answer. He just drove faster.
The VIP suite at Sea City General Hospital was white, sterile, and silent.
The doctor—a gray-haired man who knew the Kensington family well—made a note on the chart. He frowned, looking from the clipboard to Liam.
“Exhaustion,” the doctor said. “Severe stress. But, Mr. Kensington, there’s more p>
Liam looked up sharply. “What is it p>
𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝗎𝗇𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝗇 𝖻𝖾.𝖼𝗈𝗆
“She has significant bruising on her torso and wrists,” the doctor said, lowering his voice. “Consistent with blunt force trauma and… restraints. The stages of healing indicate it happened about a week ago p>
Liam went pale. The timeline matched the warehouse. The explosion. The moment he ran.
“She… she fell,” Liam stammered, the lie tasting like ash. “Last week. Down the stairs. It was… a bad fall p>
The doctor looked at him skeptically. Bruises from a fall didn’t look like ligature marks on wrists. But he knew better than to accuse a Kensington.
“She needs rest, Mr. Kensington. Absolute rest. Her body has been through a shock p>
Liam stood by the bed, arms crossed. He looked at Skye, who was hooked up to an IV drip. He felt sick. He had seen the bruises when the nurse adjusted her gown. He knew exactly where they came from.
“You’re moving back to the Manor,” Liam stated. “Today p>
Skye sat up, wincing as the IV tugged. “No. I have classes p>
“I’ll have the university suspend you on medical grounds,” Liam threatened. “I am your next of kin. I can make that call p>