Chapter 4

Liam looked down at the screen, and his expression finally cracked.

He looked up at me, his face shifting from confusion to a look of helpless exhaustion.

"So, you've been upset all afternoon because of this?"

My fingers clenched around the phone.

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Babe."

He sighed, reaching out to take my phone.

"This is a massive misunderstanding. I can explain."

I didn't let go of the phone.

"Explain then," I said.

Liam pulled his hand back, resting both hands on his knees, and sat up straight.

"There is absolutely nothing going on between me and those girls."

"They're just people I met online a while ago. I've met up with some of them, and others I've never even seen in person. We are just friends. It's not what they think."

"Friends?"

My voice began to tremble.

"If you're just friends, why did you delete all your chat logs?"

"Because I didn't want you to get the wrong idea."

He said it with absolute conviction, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.

"You know how long-distance is. It's so easy to overthink when we're apart. I was worried you'd feel insecure if you saw me talking to other girls, so I cleared the history regularly. I wasn't trying to hide anything malicious. I was just trying to protect your feelings. I didn't want you to worry."

I stared at him.

"To protect my feelings?"

"Yes."

He nodded.

"I know it sounds crazy, but it's the truth. Think about it. If I really did something to betray you, why would my passcode still be your birthday? Why would I let you look through my phone so easily?"

"Because I never caught you."

"Because you deleted everything too quickly."

Liam pursed his lips.

"Then tell me about Chloe. You were with her at a hotel this morning."

His face stiffened for a split second.

"Chloe?"

He repeated the name, pretending to search his memory.

"Oh, her. Yes, I did see her this morning, but it's not what she's claiming. She helped me connect with a major client recently, so I took her out for breakfast this morning to thank her. That's all."

"I went to meet her in the lobby of her hotel. We ate, and then I left."

"She said you stayed in her room all night."

"She's lying."

A flicker of anger finally broke through Liam's calm demeanor, but he quickly suppressed it.

"I don't know why she'd say something like that. Maybe she's trying to ruin what we have. Babe, think about it logically. If I were actually sleeping with her, would I drive all the way here to be with you tonight? Am I insane?"

The logic sounded flawless.

But my heart was still racing.

Every reaction of his was perfectly measured. Every word was bulletproof.

He wasn't overly defensive, nor was he suspiciously calm.

He behaved exactly how an innocent, wronged boyfriend would behave—weary, hurt, but desperately trying to avoid a fight.

But because it was so perfect, it felt entirely artificial.

"What about the necklace you gave her?" I asked.

Liam hesitated.

"She said you gave her a necklace that scanned as a $9.99 Wish item. Do you remember that?"

A genuine crack finally appeared in his armor.

It wasn't fear. It was embarrassment.

"Oh, that necklace."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"That was a stupid mistake. I went to a corporate event a while back, and the hosts gave out these little gift bags. The packaging looked decent, so I just handed it to her as a casual thank-you gift."

"I had no idea what was actually inside, and I certainly didn't know it was some cheap $10 knockoff. If it makes you uncomfortable, I promise I'll never give anyone gifts again."

He leaned closer, making his voice even softer.

"Babe, I would never do anything to hurt you. We've been together for six years. Six years. You know what kind of man I am."

"I've sent you a good morning text at 5:20 every single day without fail."

"I fought with my boss for six months just to get this transfer so we could be together."

"My entire future is planned around you. How can you doubt me over the words of a complete stranger?"

His eyes welled with tears.

Seeing the moisture in his eyes made my mind spin even faster.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"Liam, please get out."

"Babe—"

"Get out."

My voice was barely a whisper.

"I need to be alone right now."

Liam stared at me for a few seconds before slowly standing up.

"Okay," he said. "I'll be in the living room. Just call me if you need anything."