I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 114

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**

Talya gazed out of her window, the world outside blurred by the tears that threatened to spill over. She fought valiantly to keep them at bay, but her resolve crumbled, and a single tear escaped, trailing down her cheek and landing on her blouse. The sight of it made her heart sink deeper. Liam, sitting beside her, noticed her distress and instinctively placed his hand on her knee. It was a simple gesture, yet it radiated warmth and comfort, a small solace in her turbulent emotions.

“Talya,” he began gently, his voice soft yet firm, “if you want to go home, I can take you back. But I understand if you’re not quite ready to face your grandparents yet. How about this: I can bring you to my place for a while? You can clean up, and when you feel a bit better, we can figure out what to do next.”

Talya glanced down at her shirt, torn and stained with blood, the sight of it twisting her stomach into knots. She grimaced, the reality of her situation sinking in.

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea,” she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

They drove in silence for a few minutes, the weight of unspoken words heavy in the air. Soon, Liam pulled into the driveway of a quaint little house, its charm almost comforting amidst the chaos of her thoughts.

He exited the vehicle and came around to her side, opening the door with a determined look. With a swift motion, he unbuckled her seatbelt and lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Talya didn’t resist; instead, she nestled her head against his chest, allowing herself to be carried.

Liam carried her inside, his grip secure and reassuring. He brought her directly to the bathroom, setting her down gently on the sink as if she were as light as a feather. He met her gaze, his expression serious yet tender. “I have a friend who’s a doctor. I think it’s important to call him and have him take a look at your face. It’s still bleeding, and I’m worried it might need stitches. Would that be alright with you?”

Talya nodded, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her. The aftermath of the day’s events was beginning to settle in; pain radiated from her face, her body felt heavy and sore, and a wave of nausea rolled through her. A headache was brewing, threatening to take over.

Liam quickly FaceTimed his friend. “Liam, to what do I owe the privilege of this call?” a cheerful voice responded from the other end.

“Hey Paul, I need your expertise. Can you take a look at Talya’s face and tell me if you think she needs stitches?” Liam asked, his tone serious now.

“Of course,” Paul replied, his demeanor shifting as he focused on the task at hand. “Let me see it.”

“Hang on just a second,” Liam said, and Talya watched in confusion as he placed the phone down. In one smooth motion, he pulled his shirt over his head, draping it carefully over her, ensuring not to aggravate her injury. Once he adjusted it around her, he picked up the phone again. “Okay, we’re ready.”

Talya felt a wave of gratitude wash over her for his thoughtfulness. The shirt provided a much-needed distraction from her torn and bloodied one.

Liam angled the phone towards her. “Hey Talya, I’m Paul, a friend of Liam’s,” the man introduced himself, his voice a blend of warmth and professionalism. “I want to get a good look at your face, alright?”

As Liam maneuvered the phone per Paul’s instructions, Talya caught a glimpse of the man on the screen. He looked to be around Liam’s age, with a friendly smile that put her somewhat at ease.

“That’s a nasty cut, Talya,” Paul remarked, his tone shifting to one of concern. “What happened?”

“I got punched,” Talya replied flatly, the words leaving her lips devoid of emotion.

“Thank you,” she replied, grateful for his thoughtfulness.

“I think this shirt might fit a little better. It’s the smallest thing I own; hopefully, it will work for you. After you change, you can lie down and let those pain relievers kick in,” Liam suggested, leaving the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

Talya took her time removing Liam’s shirt and peeling off her torn one. She slipped the new shirt over her head, and though it was still a bit large, it was a welcome change. She crumpled her ruined shirt into a ball and tossed it into the trash can, feeling a sense of finality. Picking up Liam’s other shirt, she stepped out of the bathroom in search of him.

He met her in the hallway, and she offered him back his shirt. “Here,” she said, handing it over.

“Do you want to lie down for a little bit and let your medicine start to work, or do you want me to take you home now?” he asked, concern etched on his face.

“I think I’ll lie down for a little while, if that’s okay. My head and face are killing me,” she admitted, the pain evident in her voice. His expression tightened, but he remained silent, guiding her to the couch. He rearranged the pillows, ensuring she was comfortable before he disappeared for a moment. When he returned, he draped a warm blanket over her. “Just rest, Talya,” he said soothingly, his voice a balm to her frayed nerves.

“Please just wake me up at 3:00, so I don’t miss work,” she requested, knowing she needed to keep her responsibilities in mind. He didn’t respond verbally, but she sensed he had heard her.

As she settled into the pillows, she attempted to find a comfortable position. Her head throbbed, and her face felt like it was on fire. She focused on calming her thoughts, hoping to drift off to sleep so the medicine could take effect. Her mind wandered to the strange dream she had experienced earlier that morning, a fleeting memory that brought a sense of peace. Slowly, she surrendered to the heaviness of her eyelids and drifted off into a much-needed slumber.