Chapter 18 – Are You Trying to Retaliate?
Nathan held Liam’s fragile body tightly in his arms.
The boy was so light. Too light.
Nathan’s jaw clenched as he felt Liam’s soft, overheated skin against him. His delicate little face looked pale, his breath weak. A surge of anger and guilt burned through Nathan’s chest.
His voice was dangerously cold as he turned to Ethan.
“What the hell happened?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you take care of him properly?”
Ethan’s legs nearly buckled under Nathan’s glare.
“I—” He swallowed hard, his voice trembling as he explained. “I was deceived, Mr. Carter. Mrs. Carter sent me away under false pretenses. By the time I got back, Liam had already been forced to stand in the sun for so long… Mrs. Carter was watching from inside the hall the entire time.”
Nathan’s expression turned ice-cold.
He lifted his gaze toward the house, locking eyes with Emily through the window.
She didn’t even flinch.
For a brief moment, Nathan wanted to confront her. But Liam stirred weakly in his arms, and that was more important right now.
“Get the car,” he ordered sharply.
—
Ethan quickly started the engine, blasting the air conditioning to cool down the car. Nathan sat in the backseat, cradling Liam protectively as they sped toward Emberfall Hospital.
He glanced down at the boy in his arms, concern flickering in his dark eyes.
Liam’s little hands were limp. His breathing was shallow. His forehead was still burning.
Nathan’s grip on his phone tightened. Without hesitation, he called Olivia.
The moment she answered, he got straight to the point.
“Does Liam have any drug allergies?”
Olivia was caught off guard. “No… Why? What’s going on? Is Liam okay?”
Nathan’s voice was urgent. “I can’t explain over the phone. Just come to Emberfall Hospital.”
Before Olivia could respond, the call had already ended.
—
At that moment, Olivia was out with Benjamin, looking for a new office space for their company.
But when she heard that Liam was hospitalized, everything else became insignificant.
She rushed to the hospital without hesitation.
—
By the time she arrived, Ethan was already waiting at the entrance. Without wasting a second, she hurried into the emergency room, where Liam was being treated.
Her heart dropped the moment she saw him.
Liam lay on the hospital bed, his face pale, his body weak and unmoving.
A wave of sheer panic surged through her.
“Liam!” She rushed to his side, her voice filled with worry.
Then, she turned to Nathan, her eyes blazing. “What happened?! He was fine when I left him! How did he end up like this?”
Nathan didn’t answer. His expression remained unreadable.
But before he could respond, the doctor stepped forward with a disapproving frown.
“This child suffered severe heatstroke,” the doctor said sternly. “As parents, how could you allow something like this to happen? A child’s body is far more delicate than an adult’s! How could you be so careless?”
Nathan remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Olivia, however, snapped.
She turned to Nathan, her voice sharp and accusing.
“What does the doctor mean by that, Nathan?” she demanded. “How did my son get heatstroke? He was under your care. Are you trying to retaliate against me by making him stand in the sun like this?!”
Nathan didn’t answer immediately.
He was responsible. There was no excuse.
Before he could speak, Ethan hurriedly stepped forward.
“Ms. Olivia, this was my mistake,” he admitted. “I failed to protect Liam. Mr. Carter wasn’t aware of what was happening—he rushed back the moment he found out.” His expression was filled with guilt. “If you want to blame someone, blame me.”
But Olivia wasn’t interested in excuses.
Her gaze remained locked on Nathan.
She knew he despised her. That had been clear for years.
But to take it out on her son? To let this happen to Liam?
Her hands clenched into fists.
“Forget the DNA test, Nathan,” she said icily. “I don’t care if you’re his biological father. I don’t want you anywhere near my son anymore.”
Nathan’s fingers twitched slightly.
But Olivia didn’t wait for his response.
She turned to Benjamin.
“See them out,” she ordered coldly.
Benjamin, who had been standing by the door, immediately stepped forward. His eyes were sharp as he met Nathan’s gaze.
“Mr. Carter,” he said evenly, “please leave.”
