Chapter 2

A creeping ache, one I only fully registered later.

I wouldn't have been this upset normally; it would have just been a friend's betrayal, no big deal.

But that line, the one that kept us just “friends,” Liam was the first to cross it.

The day I decided to transfer schools with Liam, he took me to a bar to celebrate our “freedom” with a drink.

The dim, intimate lighting enveloped us. I looked at the person I had secretly liked for years, feeling a little dazed.

So, when he leaned in to kiss me, I didn't resist.

Years of suppressed feelings surged wildly to the surface.

Unable to control my emotions, I couldn’t help but ask for confirmation, “Liam, what are we now?”

Liam affectionately kissed my forehead again. “Silly girl, what other relationship could it be?”

Cheers erupted in the private room, the atmosphere electric, mirroring the burgeoning passion within me.

I never imagined that just two days later, I’d hear Liam himself shatter my one-sided affection.

I smiled, but tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

So that ambiguous rhetorical question, that was also just Liam trying to trick me and get me to leave quickly for Chloe, right?

The wind chimes in my bedroom tinkled, slowly drying my tears.

My broken heart slowly pieced itself back together.

Liam was wrong.

He was the illegitimate son of the Thorne family, and I was the sole heiress of the Blackwood family. We truly shouldn’t be so intertwined. Because we were a mismatch.

The transfer application in my hand was soaked with my tears, the ink bleeding, making it messy and unreadable.

But it didn’t matter. This one was ruined; I’d just get a clean one.

The Blackwood family never lacked options.

I reprinted a new form. But when it came to the “transfer to school” section, I called my mother.

“Mom, that international high school you mentioned wanting me to attend, which one was it?”

“Yes, I’ll go alone.”

The wind chimes in my room made a clear, melodious sound, as if celebrating for me.

I gently closed my eyes. This time, it wasn't Liam Thorne’s face that appeared before me.

A man who bore a faint resemblance to Liam, but was far more handsome and striking, smiled at me, with the same certainty and earnestness as two years ago.

“Aria Blackwood, sooner or later, you’ll give up on Liam Thorne and choose me.”

Back then, I thought he was joking. Now, I silently repeated to myself:

*Liam Thorne, I really don’t want you anymore.*

After filling out the new application form, I let out a long breath, my heart already quietly calm.

The knock on my bedroom door suddenly startled me.

I froze. I lived alone in this house. The only person who knew the password was…

I opened the door and, sure enough, saw Liam Thorne’s face.

His voice was as gentle as ever. “Aria, you haven’t come to say goodbye to our friends for a long time. I was worried about you.”

I tried to keep my voice calm. “I’m not feeling so well, so I’m not going.”

Just as I was about to dismiss him, my peripheral vision caught an unexpected figure.

Chloe Davis’s petite figure huddled next to Liam, and she flinched the moment our eyes met.

Liam, attentive to her every move, immediately pulled her loosely into his embrace.

“Aria, you scared Chloe.”

It was always like this. Chloe always put on this fragile demeanor, as if she was afraid I’d bully her, making me out to be some evil villain.

But I hadn’t done anything.

My expression turned cold. “I told you, I don’t like people coming to my house.”

Liam frowned slightly, annoyed. “Chloe isn’t an outsider.”

“Besides, she only came because she was worried about you.”

Before I could argue, Chloe’s eyes suddenly welled up.

“Aria, I’m so sorry. I know you’ve always had a problem with me because I don’t come from as much, but I promise I’m careful.”

Tears streaming down her face, she added, “I won’t dirty your beautiful home…”

Hearing this, Liam immediately frowned, looking at me with displeasure. “Aria, Chloe just has a difficult family background, but she’s not as bad as you’re making her out to be. Your attitude towards her truly disappoints me.”

Chloe carefully tugged at Liam’s sleeve, appearing forgiving and understanding.

“Liam, it’s okay, please don’t argue with Aria…”

She sniffled, forcing a wronged yet stubborn smile.

“After all, Aria said you two are childhood sweethearts. How could I ever compare to a relationship like that…?”

“What are you talking about? You’re unique.”

Liam tenderly cupped Chloe’s face, coaxing her in soft tones.

Then he turned to me, his face as cold as ice. He spoke gravely, “Chloe’s upset, so I’m taking her home now.”

“You should take some time to reflect. And don’t forget to finalize those transfer papers.”

I did reflect—on my terrible judgment of character.

Then I promptly changed the password to my front door.

The pent-up frustration in my heart finally found a moment of release.