Chapter 2

"Liam, it looks like Chloe is really desperate. She must have hit me on purpose just to get close to you."

"Even though she ditched you back then for money, she’s sick now and her fiancé dumped her. She’s hit rock bottom. She must be truly sorry."

"Since she’s so pathetic, should we—"

Before Avery could finish, Liam cut her off with a sneer.

"I’m usually charitable, but some things are just rotten to the core. They don't deserve..."

I couldn't hear the rest.

In my haze of suffocation, I remembered a party back in freshman year. I’d gotten drunk and almost hit by a car. Liam, who had been far away, rushed over like a gust of wind, pushing me out of the way and saving my life.

He gave up a chance to study abroad on a scholarship and spent an entire winter delivering food, his hands chapped and frozen, just to buy me a birthday present.

After we got together, to convince my parents, he quit a job that paid a six-figure salary to start his own business. For four years, he didn't take a single day off. He drank until his stomach was ruined...

But now, he hated me with every fiber of his being.

His words felt like knives stabbing into me.

"Still lying there? What, hoping for pity? Hoping I’ll feel bad for you?"

"Chloe, for me, the only thing better than my wedding to Avery is attending your funeral."

His eyes were full of malice and mockery, waiting for me to react, to humiliate me further.

But the intense emotional turmoil seemed to worsen my condition. I couldn't even say a word, and I didn't have the strength to look up at Liam again. I just leaned against the wall, navigating around them, and started shuffling toward the door.

Winter had arrived; snow was starting to fall in the night sky.

I gritted my teeth, hurrying as fast as I could, but I missed the last bus.

I couldn't walk all the way back, and I couldn't afford a taxi. As I was agonizing over what to do, Liam’s luxury car screeched to a halt in front of me.

"Get in. I'll take you back."

He rolled down the window and shook his wedding pre-marital check-up report. "Avery and I are engaged. I’m in a good mood today, so I won't hold it against you."

The cold wind made my head swim. I felt like I could faint at any moment, so I didn't think twice and pulled open the back door.

I saw a dog cage on the seat, containing a purebred puppy.

Liam laughed out loud.

"What are you waiting for? Get in. You were willing to debase yourself to suck up to rich people to get married into wealth, why can't you suck up to me now?"

"Bark twice, and I’ll cover your medical expenses for the year. How about that?"

I trembled violently. A chill washed over my entire body.

"Liam..."

His laughter turned cold. "What? Annoyed? Three years ago, you humiliated me far worse than this!"

"I’m not asking you to kneel, I’m not asking you to cry. You won't even bark twice to please me? Miss this chance, and you can just wait to die. I could make your family go bankrupt; I can also make sure you can't buy a single pill!"

I suddenly understood. Liam had come prepared to settle the score for three years ago.

That day, he had drunk until he had a perforated stomach. He’d landed a million-dollar contract but didn't even care about his health; he rushed to celebrate with me.

But when he arrived, he saw my house full of guests. I was in the middle of a rowdy crowd, taking a celebratory drink with the man I was supposed to marry.

He rushed over, insane, to question me, and my dad slapped him to the ground.

His eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse: "Chloe, you swore you’d never marry anyone but me. What is this?"

He collapsed on the floor, begging me, saying his business was finally picking up, telling me to leave with him.

Everyone laughed at him like he was a joke. The insults rained down on us.

I felt like my heart was breaking.

But I had no choice. I had to use every ounce of strength to keep my expression cold. "I don't want to keep fighting with my family because of you. That’s it, Liam. I’m too tired."

Every time I thought of that scene, tears would stream down my face uncontrollably.

By the time I realized it, the tears were falling like rain. I couldn't wipe them away.

My vision blurred, and I didn't notice the car coming from the other direction. When the screeching horn blared, it was too late to dodge.

In that split second, Liam threw himself out of the driver's seat and shielded me.

The car smashed into the door, stopping just inches from Liam's body.

"Huff... huff..."

I was gasping for air, still in shock.

"Is this a dream?"

"Why would Liam risk his life to save me?"