Chapter 17

Amma fell asleep, her legs resting on Liam's waist, her arms around him. He felt her closeness and the rhythm of her breathing. No one could know the secret about his legs. However, in the middle of the night, Liam noticed Emma's embrace. He desperately wanted to act on his desires, but the moment wasn't right. He struggled to maintain control, and once Emma was asleep, he slipped out of bed and took a cold shower to calm himself.

The next day, Emma awoke to find Liam fully dressed and sitting in his wheelchair.

"You're up? I'll take you to campus today," Liam said quietly.

Emma rubbed her eyes. "I thought I heard you get up last night."

"What?" Liam replied.

Emma vaguely remembered Liam leaving for a shower, but knowing his legs were paralyzed, she dismissed it. "I must have been dreaming. Wait a second; I'll be ready soon."

During her time with the mysterious organization, she'd been trained to perform her morning routine with incredible speed. She could manage it in under a minute, but today she deliberately slowed down to avoid arousing Liam's suspicions. After a few minutes, she emerged from the bathroom. "Let's go!"

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Wow. That was fast."

Panicking slightly, Emma quickly recovered her composure. Approaching him, she feigned confusion. "Did the women you used to wake up with wash up slowly?"

Liam smirked, pinching her nose. "Naughty girl. I shouldn't have shown you mercy last night," he said affectionately, then turned and left the room.

Emma followed. "What's that supposed to mean? We…" She hesitated, realizing her words might hurt Liam's pride, and stopped herself.

"Yes?" Liam asked.

"We are married. There's no such thing as mercy between husband and wife," Emma explained softly, remembering Liam's frightening temper and wanting to avoid his wrath.

Liam looked at her knowing gaze and smiled. "Smart ass."

It was Liam's first time driving Emma to campus. Their Maybach arrival attracted considerable attention.

"Holy shit! It's a Maybach V900!"

"Two point six million dollars. That's the most expensive car on campus, so far."

"Whose car is it?"

Students at the entrance watched as a girl with a backpack exited the vehicle.

"Is that Emma Wilson?"

"No freaking way! Didn't the Wilson family go bankrupt? Why is this bumpkin still so loaded?"

"Perhaps she got herself a sugar daddy."

"Is she really in a relationship with Liam Hall?"

As the students discussed, a young man ran up, holding a large bouquet of red roses. He stopped before Emma. "I have feelings for you, Emma. Will you be my girlfriend?"

A collective gasp went through the crowd.

"Wow. A love confession!"

"It's Jack Morris, the handsome boy from the computer science academy. He confessed to Emma!"

Jack had stumbled upon Emma's computer work and been captivated by its clarity and logic, sparking his infatuation. He decided to confess his feelings.

Emma felt someone watching her. Turning, she saw Liam watching from the car, his expression serious and displeased, his anger barely contained.

Knowing Liam well, Emma said to Jack, "Sorry, the boss is mad. I'll have to calm him down." She stuck out her tongue and hurried back to the car.

The onlookers whispered among themselves.

"Look, she's going back."

"Her sugar daddy must be angry to see Jack confess his love."

"That's what it takes to ride in a Maybach. Some men are really possessive. I wonder what he looks like. Must be old."

Several girls, viciously plotting to ruin Emma's reputation, pulled out their phones to take pictures. But then, the car window descended, revealing Liam's handsome face.

"I sensed jealousy, Mr. Hall," Emma said.

Liam didn't answer.

Emma leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the corner of his lips. The girls, intending to take a clandestine photo, were stunned.

"He's so young and handsome."

"Not old at all!"

"God, that kiss!"

Liam's ears reddened with satisfaction. Emma smiled sweetly at him.

He cleared his throat. "Now go back."

Emma took a few steps back, crouched slightly, made a heart shape with her hands, and watched Liam drive away, sighing with relief. Jack watched the scene with a stunned, heartbroken expression.

Emma reflected on her past life. She remembered Jack’s rise to success in a major internet company, his wealth and talent, and their shared history. However, influenced by Aria, she'd misjudged him as a womanizer in her previous life, disrespecting him and rejecting his confession. This had deeply hurt his pride; he'd risen to prominence and broken up with her a year later. Only after her death did Emma understand Aria's manipulation. Jack had genuinely cared for her. Now, Emma wanted to avoid becoming his enemy.

Smiling at Jack, she said, "Jack, thank you for the flowers. You're a good man, but I'm already taken, sorry."

Jack stared, incredulous. "Liam Hall?"

"Yep. We've known each other for a long time," Emma replied.

Sadness clouded Jack's eyes. "In that case, I don't think I stand a chance, but thank you for your honesty."

"Oh, no big deal," Emma said softly. "You're a great guy, and many girls like you. You'll find someone just as great."

Initially disheartened by his perceived inadequacy compared to Liam, Jack felt buoyed by Emma's words. A warm feeling filled him. He kept her words close to his heart.

"Thank you, Emma. I'll work hard and become the great guy you speak of!"

"Good. We all need to work hard to become great people," Emma said.

They walked toward the classroom, when a teacher called out, "Emma Wilson, Mrs. Baker wants you in her office."