As soon as I opened my eyes, Liam's handsome face appeared in my vision. He had dark circles under his eyes, clearly worried. When he saw I was awake, a gleam of happiness flashed across his face, and he gave Analia a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Analia, standing next to him, looked down and spoke softly, “I’m sorry, Aunt Reina. Liam was actually asleep at the time. He specifically asked not to be disturbed before going to bed.”
She put a particular emphasis on the word "aunt," as if to remind me of my place in the family.
Liam said, “Look, Analia has apologized to you. Let’s not make things harder for her.”
I was stunned. Here I was, just waking up, and already being pushed to forgive someone who nearly cost me my life.
I scoffed, slapping the table as I turned to Liam. “Tell her to leave.”
Analia’s eyes welled up with tears, and she tugged on Liam’s sleeve, her voice barely a whisper, “Brother, she’s being mean to me.”
Liam frowned, “Reina, don’t overreact. She’s just a kid.”
I laughed incredulously.
Twenty-two and still a kid?
With biting sarcasm, I said, “Does she still drink from a bottle, this 'kid'?”
Liam interrupted, “Reina, that’s enough.”
Suddenly, Analia started gasping for breath. “Brother Liam, I think my heart is acting up.” She collapsed against him.
Liam hurriedly patted her back and pressed on her chest, speaking coldly to me, “You know Analia has a congenital heart condition, yet you provoke her. Besides, aren’t you okay now?”
Okay?
I reached up, touching the scar on my face. That knife had spared my life but had nearly ruined my appearance.
Supporting Analia, he left, shutting the door with a forceful click, leaving behind a chilly remark: "I’ll see you when you’re discharged."
That evening, I opened Facebook and saw Analia’s post with a close-up picture of her and Liam, heads together. The caption read, “No matter the trouble, there’s always someone to be my rock.”
I looked out the window, silent.
Just before this last undercover mission, Liam had been on his knees, begging me to marry him.
