Chapter 4

Mia opened her travel app late at night and searched for direct flights from Lumen City to Seraphis. Liam showed up with Riley right after she paid for her ticket. "Mia, I've got great news. Riley agreed to be with me. Pretty solid of me, right? You're the first person I'm telling." She looked at the two of them holding hands, nodded faintly, and said calmly, "Congratulations." Riley's eyes sparkled with happiness, and she smiled shyly. "Thank you for your blessing. Mrs. Torres said you were seriously injured. Are you feeling any better lately? I brought some seafood broth for you. You should have some." She nudged Liam to serve the broth as she spoke. Mia froze momentarily at the sight of him following her lead before snapping back to her senses. "Thank you, but I'll pass on the broth." Liam's face immediately darkened at her words. He looked at her with displeasure. "Riley made this broth herself. I wasn't even planning to share it with you. It's only because she was worried about your injury that I reluctantly agreed to bring you some. Don't be so ungrateful." As he spoke, he forced a bowl into her hands, insisting that she finish it right then and there. Mia tried to explain, but he grabbed her wrist. The bowl tipped over in the scuffle, spilling the hot broth directly onto her wound. She was in so much pain that cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Her face twisted in agony, and she was pale as a sheet. Riley was startled. A flicker of guilt crossed her face as she grabbed a napkin to help. But Liam was afraid she might get burned, so he shielded her behind him. "Riley, this has nothing to do with you. She's always been stubborn since she was a kid. It's not a big deal, so don't blame yourself for this." Mia's hand trembled as she held the napkin, feeling a sharp ache in her chest. Hector burst into her room at that moment. He panicked and called for a nurse when he found her wound bleeding again. Isabel's heart ached at the sight of the scene, but she kept her composure as she carefully put away the broth and patiently explained to Riley, "Riley, Mia is allergic to seafood, so she can't have the broth. But we truly appreciate your kind gesture. Thank you." Liam stood frozen in place as his expression stiffened. "Why didn't you say something earlier?" Mia stared at the blood-soaked gauze as a wave of bitterness washed over her. He used to remember all her food allergies. Whenever they dined in, he would emphasize to the waitstaff not to include seafood, scallions, or cilantro in her meal. But with Riley in his life now, his heart and mind were filled with her. There was no space left for the little details he once cared about. A heart only had so much room. It could only hold one person—the one he loved the most. Mia finally spoke after a long moment of silence. "You didn't even give me a chance to speak." The ward fell into a dead silence. Riley felt so guilty and embarrassed that she was on the verge of tears. Liam felt distressed for her. He led her away without another word. Mia had to stay three more days in the hospital due to the wound infection before she could be discharged. As the immigration date approached, everyone in the Torres family was busy packing their belongings. Hector and Isabel were too tied up to step out, so they prepared a generous gift and asked Mia to deliver it to the Clarke family. Thomas and Mariana greeted her with deep concern and apologies as soon as she walked in. "Mia, we're truly sorry. "You and Liam have known each other for many years, yet he protected Riley and left you behind during such a dangerous accident, causing such a serious injury to you. We truly feel terrible about it. We'll make sure he apologizes to you." Mia shook her head, and her voice was soft and reassuring. "Ms. Chandra is his girlfriend. It's only right that he protected her. I'm fine now, anyway, so don't worry about me." They finally felt relieved after seeing that she wasn't upset. After some small talk, Mia brought up the real reason for her visit, which was her family's plan to move overseas. The news came as a shock to them. "So suddenly?" "Our company's restructuring. They've actually been preparing for this for half a year. It just got finalized recently. My parents asked me to come and let you know in person." They felt sad after learning that an old friend was leaving, and their voices were filled with reluctance. "Will you be coming back someday?" Mia smiled. Her voice rang clear in the stillness of the living room. "We won't be coming back." Liam stepped in through the door at that moment. He frowned as he glanced over. "Who's not coming back?"