The drive stretched on in silence.
The streetlights flickered past, orange halos against the darkening sky.
Clara kept her eyes on the road, hands gripping the steering wheel at ten and two. Liam sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window.
Neither of them spoke.
The quiet felt thick, like neither of them knew where to even start.
Liam's mind drifted back to the notification he'd gotten earlier.
'The strength boost. I thought it was just for sex. Didn't know I could actually use it like that.'
He flexed his hand, staring at his bruised knuckles.
"Liam."
Clara's voice pulled him back. He blinked and turned to look at her.
"Yeah?"
"About what happened back there..."
'Damn, I knew she would wonder how I was able to take them down and punch a guy that far. Who won't? And it's not like I can just tell her that I got the power-up from a system. She's definitely not going to believe me... Wait, that's it. She's not going to believe me.'
"What do you mean?" Liam asked, a smile tugging at his lips. He had the perfect bullshit excuse locked and loaded.
"What was that? Why did you tell Kyle that I sucked your cock? It was so embarrassing," Clara said as she slightly turned the steering wheel.
'That's what she's worried about?' Liam thought to himself as he gave an unbelievable look.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Clara's face got redder. "I'm serious. The only reason I'm not beating you up right now is because you just got beat up."
'She's so cute.'
Liam let out a small laugh, leaning back in his seat. "I just wanted him to know you're mine now. That's all."
The car jerked hard to the right.
Liam's hand shot up, grabbing the handle above the door. His other hand braced against the glove compartment as the car swerved back into the lane.
"What was that?" Liam's voice came out louder than he meant it to, though there wasn't any real anger in it. "You could've killed us both."
Clara's face was completely flushed now, pink spreading from her cheeks down to her neck. "You're so stupid."
"What did I do?"
"Nevermind. Don't say anything to me until we get to the hospital."
"Alright."
Liam settled back into his seat, the smile still on his face. He watched her for a second, then shifted.
"But I know you really want to ask me how I was able to do all that back there. There's no need to stop yourself."
Clara was quiet for a moment. She bit her bottom lip, then let out a small breath. "As much as I really want to know how you were able to punch a guy across the room like that..." She paused, her voice softening. "I'm just glad you're safe. And I'm okay with not knowing. If you're some kind of superhero, your secret is safe with me."
Liam stared at her, something warm settling in his chest. He didn't know what to say to that, so he just nodded.
"Thanks."
Clara's face turned even pinker, and she kept her eyes forward.
The silence that followed felt different. Lighter.
Liam's mind wandered again.
The system had given him something real. Not just bedroom stuff. Actual strength. Enough to knock a guy out cold with one punch. Enough to send another one flying across a room.
They drove for a while. The roads were quieter now, fewer cars on the street. The hospital came into view a few minutes later, a tall building with lit windows scattered across its floors.
The parking lot was half-empty when they pulled in. Clara parked near the entrance and killed the engine.
Liam reached for the door handle, then stopped.
"Shit," he muttered.
"What?" Clara asked.
"The documents. I forgot about it." He ran a hand through his hair.
"It's in the back," Clara said. "I grabbed them before we left.
They were on the passenger seat in my car when Kyle's guys moved us."
Liam turned and looked at the back seat.
He reached back and grabbed it.
Liam stared at the folder in his hands, then at her. He let out a long breath. "You're a lifesaver."
"I know," Clara said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
They got out of the car and headed inside together.
Inside, the fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. The smell of disinfectant hit immediately. Liam walked up to the front desk, Clara a step behind him.
Liam headed straight for the front desk. A younger nurse sat there, dark hair pulled back in a tight bun. She looked up when he approached.
"I'm here to drop off some documents for my mom. Room 314. Mrs. Carter."
The nurse took the folder and flipped through it briefly. "Alright, I'll get these processed. You can head up to see her."
"Thanks."
Before Liam could turn away, another nurse appeared from a side door. Older, with graying hair and tired eyes. She looked at Liam's face and frowned.
"Hold on. Sit down for a second." She gestured to a chair near the desk.
"I'm fine—"
"You've got a cut on your cheek. It's still bleeding." Her tone left no room for argument. "Sit."
Liam sat.
The nurse pulled out antiseptic wipes and a small adhesive bandage. She cleaned the cut quickly, her hands efficient and no-nonsense, then pressed the bandage over it.
"There. That should hold." She stepped back. "Room 314 is on the third floor. Elevator's down the hall."
"Thanks."
Liam stood and headed for the elevator, Clara following close behind.
Room 314 was at the end of the hall. The door was cracked open slightly, and Liam could see the edge of the hospital bed through the gap.
He pushed the door open.
His mom was sitting up, propped against two pillows. Her face looked pale, and there were dark circles under her eyes, but she was smiling.
An IV line ran from her arm to a stand next to the bed, and a heart monitor beeped softly in the corner.
"Liam," she said, her voice quiet but steady.
Clara pushed past him and went straight to the bed. "Mrs. Carter, oh my God, I was so worried..."
She broke down halfway through the sentence, tears streaming down her face. She grabbed Liam's mom's hand and held it tight.
Liam stayed by the door, watching. A smile tugged at his lips. Seeing Clara cry over his mom like that... it hit different.
His mom patted Clara's hand gently. "I'm okay, sweetheart. I'm okay."
"Are you sure?" Clara's voice cracked. "Does it hurt? Are you in pain?"
"The spots where they operated still ache a little, but I'm fine. Really."
Clara wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm so glad you're alright."
"You should be the one she's thanking," Liam said from the doorway. "If you hadn't found her when you did, she wouldn't be here."
Clara shook her head quickly. "I was just lucky to be there. The person she should be thanking is you. You paid for everything. You saved her life."
Before his mom could respond, Clara's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Her face shifted slightly.
"It's my mom," she said quietly. "I need to take this."
She stepped out into the hallway.
Liam walked over to the bed and sat down in the chair next to it. He looked at his mom's face, really looked at her, and felt something loosen in his chest.
"I'm glad you're okay," he said.
"I'm glad you're here," she replied. Then her eyes narrowed slightly, and the worried mom look took over. She reached up and touched the bandage on his cheek. "What happened to your face?"
Liam's hand went to the bandage instinctively. "It's nothing. Just a scratch."
"A scratch." Her tone was flat, disbelieving. "Liam, don't lie to me. What happened?"
"I told you, it's nothing..."
"Did you have to do something illegal to get that money?" Her voice was soft, but the concern was sharp underneath.
'I knew she'd ask that.'
"No, Mom. I've been preparing for something like this for years. I invested in something, and it paid off big. That's all."
Her face didn't change. She just stared at him, waiting.
"Mom, seriously. I didn't do anything illegal."
"Then where did you get those injuries?" She gestured at his face, then looked down at his hands. His knuckles were bruised, the skin split in places. "Your hands are a mess, Liam. Don't tell me that's from an investment."
Liam opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
His mom's expression softened, but the worry didn't leave. "I might be old, but I'm not stupid."
'Shit.'
He needed to change the subject. Fast.
"I met Mr. Trent today," Liam said.
His mom went quiet. Her expression changed, just slightly.
"So you guys have met," she said carefully.
"What's the deal with him?" Liam asked. "Is it what I'm thinking?"
"It's nothing like that. We've just been talking. Nothing serious."
Liam leaned back in the chair, folding his arms.
"Mom, I hope you're not holding yourself back from finding happiness because of me. I'm not a kid anymore. I can handle the fact that you're seeing someone. And the Trent guy seems nice. Aside from the smoking."
His mom's face softened. A small smile tugged at her lips. "He only does that when he's scared, nervous, or anxious. I made him quit."
'That explains a lot. He was freaking out about Mom.'
The door opened, and Clara stepped back in. Her face was calmer now, but there was something tight around her eyes.
"My mom says I need to come home," Clara said quietly. "I have to leave."
Liam stood. "Hey, before you go... would you be willing to come back tomorrow morning? To drive us home?"
Clara nodded without hesitation. "Yeah, of course. What time?"
"They're releasing her around nine, I think."
"I'll be here."
"Thanks, Clara. Really."
"It's nothing." She turned to his mom. "Bye, Mrs. Carter. I'm so glad you're okay."
"Tell your mom I said hello," his mom replied.
Clara nodded and left.
Liam sat back down. His mom looked at him for a long moment, then smiled.
"You're doing well in school?" she asked.
"Yeah, Mom. I'm doing fine."
They talked for a while after that. Small things. How her recovery was going. What the doctors said. When she'd be able to go home.
Liam kept the conversation light, careful not to bring up anything that might stress her out.
Eventually, her eyelids started to droop. The monitor beeped steadily in the background, and her breathing slowed.
"You should rest," Liam said quietly.
"I'm fine," she murmured, but her eyes were already closing.
Within a few minutes, she was asleep.
Liam sat there for a moment, watching her chest rise and fall. Then he stood, grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair, and quietly slipped out of the room.
The hallway was empty. The hospital felt different at night, quieter, like the world had slowed down.
Liam pulled out his phone and texted Clara.
Liam~ Hey, I just left the hospital. Please don't forget to pick her up by 9. I appreciate the help, and I'm sorry if it feels like a lot to ask.
Ding!
Her reply came almost immediately.
Clara~ No problem.
Ding!
Tasha~ Where are you?.
Liam paused for a moment, staring at the new message before pocketing his phone and heading for the elevator.
'Mom's okay. I have class in the morning. Miss Kelly already asked Kelvin where I was. I can't afford to miss another day. Yeah, that's definitely the only reason I need to back home'.