Chapter 12
Liam’s nearly healed injury flared up, and he found himself back in the operating room. Victor and Jean had just wrapped up their work when they heard the news and rushed to the scene.
When the doctor told them that Liam’s hand was permanently disabled this time, it felt like everything had just fallen apart.
He was their only son. They had been counting on him to settle down, start a family, and step up to take over Lowry Group.
However, over the years, Liam turned down every opportunity to gain experience at the company and wouldn’t get into a serious relationship.
Instead, he stuck to his dream of becoming a pilot and kept causing drama over a woman. Now, he had ruined his right hand, closing the door on the only
future he had left.
Overcome with rage and grief, Victor and Jean collapsed and were immediately taken to the emergency room
When the surgery was over, Liam was transferred to the ICU,
Once the anesthesia wore off, he opened his eyes, stared into the blur, and without thinking, murmured, “Steph.”
One second, ten seconds, a minute went by, but there was no answer.
He thought Stephanie wasn’t in the ward. When he heard footsteps at the door, he called out again, but a voice he didn’t recognize answered.
“Liam Lowry, the nerves in your right hand have been damaged beyond repair. You won’t be able to lift anything heavy again.”
Liam’s heart sank when he heard those words. He slowly lifted his hand, wrapped in fresh bandages, and tried to close his fingers, but they just wouldn’t
Inove.
The nurse saw what he was doing and knew it could worsen his wound. She hurried over to stop him and gently warned him again.
Liam heard her clearly, but they felt like they were coming from a dream, unreal and far away.
Looking dazed, he parted his pale, dry lips and asked, “Can I still fly planes?”
“Fly planes? Given your condition, even using a phone will be a struggle. You’d better think about a career change,” the nurse muttered as she helped him with his medication.
Liam’s eyes lost their spark, and he slowly closed them. Suddenly, memories he had pushed aside came crashing into his mind like a tide.
He recalled what happened before his hand was ruined–the sports car, the kiss, the fight, the roses, and those painful but truthful words.
Watching those images race through his mind, he smiled bitterly, drowning in self–mockery and loneliness.
Liam didn’t speak another word during his stay in the ICU. He stared quietly at the growing greenery outside the window, barely even blinking.
He’d only turn his head to look when someone pushed the door open. Once he saw it wasn’t Stephanie, he’d pull his gaze away and continue staring off into space.
His friends had never seen him so down in the dumps. Not wanting to upset him, they sat quietly beside him.
After settling into a regular ward, Liam glanced around at his family and friends, yet that familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.
He frowned and asked, “Where’s Steph?”
