Chapter 2 - THE MAN BEHIND THE DARKNESS
By the end of her first week, Clara understood three things about Liam Mercer.
First, he was far more injured than anyone had admitted.
Second, he trusted almost nobody.
Third, the mansion was hiding something.
The guards changed shifts every six hours.
Certain doors remained locked.
Security cameras covered every corridor.
And Leo, Liam's head of security, seemed to know exactly where Clara was at all times.
She hated it.
But Tommy needed treatment.
So she stayed.
One morning, Clara entered Liam's room carrying fresh dressings.
He was awake.
Watching the ceiling.
“Good morning, sunshine.”
He glared.
“Don't call me that.”
“Good morning, Your Royal Misery.”
“Worse.”
Clara smiled.
“Excellent. We're making progress.”
She checked his temperature.
Still elevated.
His wound remained concerning despite treatment.
Clara had already insisted on an urgent assessment by his surgeon and infectious-disease specialist, and she wasn't going to pretend the mansion could replace a hospital.
“Your doctor is coming at eleven,” she said.
Liam frowned.
“I canceled.”
“I uncanceled.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You did what?”
“You have signs of a serious wound infection. You need proper evaluation, and possibly hospital treatment.”
“I don't go to hospitals.”
“Then you may die in a very expensive bedroom.”
Liam stared.
Clara met his gaze.
Finally, he looked away.
“Eleven?”
“Eleven.”
He sighed.
“Fine.”
Clara smiled.
“Look at us. Two adults making a responsible decision.”
“Don't push it.”
But when she turned away, Liam was smiling.
Only slightly.
But smiling.
That afternoon, the physician confirmed Clara's concerns.
Liam required hospital-level treatment.
The infection had progressed.
And his abdominal wound needed further surgical assessment.
Liam refused.
Clara stood beside his bed.
“Liam.”
“No.”
She crossed her arms.
“You can hate hospitals. You can hate doctors. You can hate me.”
He stared.
“But you cannot intimidate an infection into disappearing.”
Leo stood near the door.
The physician waited.
Liam looked between them.
Then closed his eyes.
“Get the car.”
Clara exhaled.
For the first time in weeks, someone had convinced Liam Mercer to do something that might save his life.
May you like
And it hadn't required a threat.
Only the truth.
