"Be careful!" Clara's instinct was faster than her thinking. She even forgot about her ankle injury and staggered to hold the shelf, but before she touched the wooden edge, a dark shadow suddenly pushed her away.
It's Liam.
He acted as if he hadn't noticed Clara standing next to him. He threw himself at Vanessa and her son, one hand protecting the back of Vanessa's head, the other holding Noah tightly in his arms, using his back to block the falling ceramic shards. With a "bang", the clock hit his back, shattering the dial. The glass shards splashed on the back of Clara's hand, leaving a thin streak of blood.
Clara stumbled backwards, her back slamming against the cold wall. Her sprained ankle instantly sent a sharp pain through her, and she gasped in pain, barely able to stand, holding onto the wall. But she ignored her own injuries, her gaze fixed on Liam—he was bending down to check Vanessa's hair, his voice filled with panic: "Vanessa, are you okay? Are you hurt? Did the debris touch you?"
Vanessa shook her head, her eyes red, but with a hint of hidden pride: "I'm fine, I just scared Noah. Liam, thank goodness I have you..."