Chapter 171

Evelyn rushed to Liam's side, her knees buckling as she collapsed before him. A storm of emotions swirled in her chest—fear, confusion, something deeper she couldn't name. "Where were you, Liam? How did this happen?"

"I'm sorry, Mommy." Liam's voice was eerily calm, sending chills down Evelyn's spine. "It's my fault Daddy got hurt."

Evelyn froze, her breath catching. "What... what happened to him?"

Just then, the doctor emerged from the private ward. "Family of Nathan Goldmann?"

Evelyn rose on unsteady legs.

Oliver stepped forward smoothly. "We're his family. Could you update us on his condition?"

The doctor adjusted his glasses, expression grave. "We've treated his wounds and administered antivenom. Fortunately, the snake's venom wasn't lethal. Two days of observation should suffice."

'A snake bite?'

Evelyn's knuckles whitened as she clenched her fists, her complexion turning ashen.

"Daddy got bitten protecting me." Liam's small voice trembled. "He pushed me away and took the bite himself. Then we... we fell down the hill together."

Though Liam had orchestrated the dangerous situation, he never expected his father to shield him so completely—throwing himself between his son and danger without hesitation.

Liam lifted tear-filled eyes to Evelyn. The defiance usually present had melted away. "Mommy, I didn't like Daddy before... but he saved me. Is he going to die because of me?"

Evelyn pulled him into a tight embrace. The boy who rarely cried now shook silently against her shoulder.

The hospital doors burst open as Mr. Goldmann Sr. arrived with Caleb and Daisy in tow. The patriarch's face drained of color upon hearing the news.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa..." Liam whispered.

The elder Goldmann placed a weathered hand on Liam's head. "Accidents happen. What matters is you're safe."

Nathan drifted in and out of consciousness until full darkness fell. When he finally awoke, he found Evelyn slumped asleep beside his bed.

He shifted carefully, wincing at the movement. The rustling sheets startled Evelyn awake.

"You're awake." Her voice was rough with sleep.

"Hmm. Where's Liam?" Nathan's first concern was for his son.

Evelyn looked down. "He's fine. Thank you... for saving him."

Nathan's expression darkened. "Thank me? Am I just some stranger to you? Or his father?"

"I—"

"Never mind." Nathan cut her off sharply. "I won't hear anything pleasant from you anyway. Save your breath."

Evelyn bit her lip, then said quietly, "I know you're his father. And I see now... how much you care for him."

"And have you noticed how I feel about you?" Nathan countered.

Evelyn clenched her jaw at his provoking tone. "I'm being serious. Don't change the subject."

"Then don't talk about anything else." Nathan turned away, presenting his back to her.

Evelyn gaped at his audacity.

'Since when did Nathan become so infuriatingly arrogant?'

She stood abruptly. "Nathan Goldmann, you—"

"I'm hungry."

The non sequitur caught her off guard. Remembering he hadn't eaten, she moved to the bedside tray. Picking it up, she approached the stubborn man's turned back. "Here. Eat."