Chapter 2

I instinctively turned back. Liam stepped out of the private room.

Three years apart, his face hadn't changed at all.

He held a cigarette between his fingers, his tone flat.

"When did you get back?"

"Yesterday."

"Why didn't you go home?"

I stayed silent.

"Don't wander off now that you're back. Go home and see Mom and Dad."

Still, I didn't respond. Instead, I looked down at my watch, a flicker of impatience crossing my features.

"Is there anything else?"

Liam's gaze fell on my wrist, and he frowned slightly.

"Where's the bracelet?"

I paused, surprised.

Then something clicked.

A hint of sarcasm touched my face.

"I put it away."

Three years ago, when a guy confessed to me, Liam didn't say anything.

He just led his friends to beat the guy up. Afterward, he silently took out the Miller family's heirloom bracelet and put it on my wrist.

Liam's tightly furrowed brow relaxed, his tone calm.

"It's just a small trinket, no need to be so precious with it.

"Next time..."

"Liam!"

Liam's words were cut off by a clear voice from the side.

The girl from the private room ran out. She took Liam's arm, then extended her hand to me, a radiant smile on her face.

"You must be Elara, right? Hi, I'm Scarlett. You can call me Scarlett, or you can call me... sister-in-law."

She seemed a little shy, glancing up at Liam bashfully when she said the last two words.

My time was genuinely running out. If I was any later, that man would truly be angry.

I didn't have time to be part of these two's little drama.

I quickly nodded at her and greeted, "Hi."

Then I turned and hurried past, walking quickly towards the end of the hall.

Before I reached the corner, I saw Julian Sterling leaning against the doorframe.

He was dressed in black, his nose bridge sharp, his eyes hidden in the dim light, making his emotions unreadable.

His thin lips, caught in the light, were perfectly sculpted and sharp.

I quickened my pace towards him.

Taking the gift from my pocket, I held it out.

"Happy birthday!"

His gaze slowly drifted downwards.

"You're late."

I looked at my watch. The hour hand already pointed to midnight.

Today was over.

A flicker of annoyance crossed my face.

If it weren't for those two I just ran into, I wouldn't have missed it.

Julian wrapped an arm around my waist.

Pulling me closer with a sense of punishment.

My flight was originally scheduled for nine in the morning, meaning I could be back to have lunch with Julian.

But something unexpected came up at my university, delaying me until I rushed back late in the evening.

I'd promised to have dinner with him, but then I ran into more trouble.

It had been a chaotic mess until now.