Chapter 94 - A Year Bought in Bruises, A Journey Sparked by Hope

My hotel room door flew open with such force that it bounced against the wall. I barely had time to turn before Isabelle rushed in, her face twisted with fury and concern. She froze when she saw me, her hand flying to cover her mouth.

"Liam!" she gasped, her voice breaking. "My God... what did he do to you?"

I tried to smile, but my split lip made it more of a grimace. My face was a canvas of purples and blues, one eye nearly swollen shut. I'd managed to clean up most of the blood, but there was no hiding the damage.

"It looks worse than it feels," I lied, awkwardly shifting on the bed where I'd been resting.

Isabelle moved to my side in an instant, her fingers hovering over my bruised face, afraid to touch and cause more pain. "My father did this? All of this?"

"Him and his men," I admitted. "Mostly Caspian, to be fair."

Her eyes darkened dangerously. "I'll kill him. I swear I'll—"

"No," I caught her wrist gently. "Isabelle, listen. It's actually good news."