Chapter 153

EMILIA

It all happens so fast. One second, Liam’s in the doorway—chest heaving, eyes locked on Zane like he’s about to commit a felony—and the next, he’s in front of me. His hands land gently on my shoulders, steady but trembling.

“Are you okay?”

His voice is tight, careful, like he’s forcing the rage down just to focus on me. His gaze sweeps over me, checking every inch he can see, and I can tell he’s barely holding it together.

It takes me a moment to catch up. “I—I’m fine,” I manage, though my voice shakes. “I just…”

Then I set my phone on the table, the screen still cracked, and it hits me. I must have called him first—my emergency contact.

When I look back at him, disheveled, flushed, and out of breath, something in me breaks a little. He must’ve driven like a maniac to get here. My throat tightens, and before I can stop it, my eyes blur with tears.

Liam pulls me into his arms before the first tear falls. His hand moves in slow, steady