Page 68 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

“I always knew you'd find yourself a catch,” Sarah murmurs into my ear, her face beaming with smiles.

I smile, feeling a rush of pride. Having Liam by my side feels good—better than I expected. Liam handles the sudden attention with grace, regaling them with stories about working at the hospital with his dad. As the conversation flows, I can't help but feel a warm flutter in my chest. Having him here, by my side, feels… right.

The rest of the night unfolds in a flurry of greetings and laughter. Faces from my high school days materialize from the throng, pulling me into reminiscing about forgotten art projects and hallway gossip. As I look around the festively decorated space, a sense of relief washes over me. It isn't so bad after all. Being here, surrounded by old friends, feels like a long-forgotten part of myself is finally waking up.

We share stories and laughs, reminiscing about the old days. It’s surreal to be here, surrounded by so many memories, and I find myself genuinely enjoying the night.

At one point, Liam takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor. The music slows, and he pulls me close, his arms wrapping around me. I rest my head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Suddenly, a mischievous glint appears in Liam's eyes. “You look beautiful tonight,” he murmurs into my ear.

My breath catches in my throat. Public dancing isn't exactly my forte, but the look in his eyes is irresistible. “Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.” I mumble, a nervous smile playing on my lips.

He leads me across the dance floor, the thumping music pulsing through the air. We sway to the rhythm, his hand resting possessively on my lower back. His touch sends shivers down my spine, igniting a fire within me. I feel eyes on us, but instead of making me nervous, it makes me feel beautiful and powerful. I hold onto Liam a little tighter, reveling in the moment.

As we dance, I steal glances at Liam. Under the soft glow of the disco ball, his face seems sculpted perfection. His eyes, locked onto mine, hold a depth I haven't seen before. A feeling of sensuality, raw and exhilarating, blooms in my chest. It is as if everyone else in the room has faded away, leaving just us, connected in a silent language of unspoken emotions

Suddenly, a familiar figure materializes beside me. “Hey, lovebirds,” Damon booms, his voice barely audible over the music. “Mind if I steal Liam for a bit? There's a few guys I want him to meet. Wedding stuff and all.”

I giggle, the tension easing from my shoulders. “Of course, Damon. Go have fun.”

Liam leans down, his lips brushing my ear. “Be right back,” he murmurs, the warmth of his breath sending a shiver down my spine. “Don't move.”

He follows Damon into the crowd, leaving me with June in the company of our high school friends. We chat about everything and nothing, their questions about Liam fueling my amusement.

“He seems really great, Em,” Sarah gushes, her eyes sparkling. “You totally landed yourself a prince charming.”

I blush, feeling a warmth spread across my cheeks. “He is pretty amazing,” I admit, a genuine smile playing on my lips.

As the night wears on, I feel a growing sense of confidence. The initial trepidation has melted away, replaced by a sense of belonging. We continue to chat and laugh, and I’m enjoying myself more than I thought I would. It feels like I’m at the center of attention, and for once, it’s a good feeling.

But then, just as we’re laughing over an old high school story, Maria and her group of friends—Avery and Rachel—walk up to us. Maria’s eyes are sharp, her smile a little too sweet.

“Emma, congratulations on finally coming to one of these things, and bringing a man,” Maria says, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I snicker, refusing to let her get to me. “Better late than never, right?”

Avery steps forward, her gaze scrutinizing. “You must feel good, bagging Dr. Miller’s son.”

June steps in before I can respond. “I heard your mom tried to matchmake you with him several times, Avery. Tough luck.”

I raise my eyebrows, my tone equally sarcastic. “My condolences on missing out on such a perfect man. Maybe patient dogs really do eat the fattest bone.”

Avery’s face flushes with anger, and she steps forward as if to attack me. Maria quickly holds her back, a smug look on her face.

“Patience might not be the best virtue when holding a man like Liam Miller,” Maria says smoothly. “When are you two getting married, anyway? If you’re ever going to do it.”

I feel all eyes turn to me, and I force myself to remain calm. “That’s not your business.”

Rachel smirks. “So, he hasn’t talked about marriage with you, has he? Looks like you’re not getting married anytime soon.”

Maria chimes in, “Age is telling on you, Emma. You might not be able to have your dream—a happy family with kids.”

The room starts to spin, their words hitting me hard. My vision blurs slightly, and I feel a wave of nausea. Just then, I feel strong arms settle on my shoulders from behind. I know immediately who it is.

Liam steps up, his voice cold and firm. “I’m never getting married to anyone if it’s not Emma.”

The room goes silent, and I feel a rush of relief and gratitude. Liam’s presence is a shield against their cruelty.

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