Chapter 3

“Chloe, you seem like a different person, not like you used to be.”

“But I can also feel that you’re still you.”

With that, he kissed my lips, but it was a tentative kiss.

He only lightly brushed his lips against mine, not moving on to anything further.

I knew he had reservations. He was afraid I’d violently push him away and curse him as a predator.

But that was the old me; the current me loves him deeply.

I bit his lip, taking the initiative.

In an instant, his breathing hitched. Even through our clothes, I could feel his scorching body heat.

His large hand grabbed the back of my neck, taking control.

A fervent kiss enveloped me, like surging ocean waves, one after another.

I don’t know how much time passed before he finally released me.

This time, I saw a glimmer of light in his eyes.

You fool, this life I will love you fiercely, and I will punish those who harmed me.

I looked at him, speaking softly.

“Liam, let’s get along well from now on.”

“Don’t tie me up anymore.”

“I won’t run away, I won’t leave you again.”

This time, he finally responded, his eyes fixed on mine.

“Get along well?”

When he said this, he deliberately emphasized the last syllable.

I immediately understood what he meant and quickly explained.

“Of course not, I mean genuinely getting along well.”

“Just like when we were kids.”

When we were children, Liam always protected me, holding my hand to help me cross the street because he was afraid I’d get hit by a car.

But later, because I fell in love with Derek, our relationship became incredibly strained.

He hated my interactions with Derek, tying me up again and again.

Each time, I would curse him and tell him to get lost.

Slowly, this also contributed to his rage issues.

Snapping back to reality, I saw him smile. It was the first time I’d ever seen him smile.

The corners of his mouth curved slightly, revealing a small, cute canine tooth. He was truly adorable.

He said, “I’ll think about it.”

But I knew he had agreed.

He was actually very easy to coax. As long as you went along with him, he wouldn’t hurt anyone, nor would he lose control.

He only lost control when I didn’t listen to him.

He scooped me up and carried me to the bed, holding me tightly, resting his chin on my shoulder.

I could hear his steady breathing, which brought me such peace.

This was our first time sharing a bed. In my previous life, I despised Liam.

He and my parents died in an accident five years ago while doing business together.

Only the two of us were left living in this house.

Two lonely souls, clinging to each other.

From childhood, he’d always disciplined me like an older brother. Even my liking for Derek, he had to interfere with.

That’s why in my previous life, I hated him so much.

I asked Liam why he knew someone would frame me today.

He said after our parents passed, he followed me every day, afraid something would happen to me.

While following me, he saw me meet Derek in the school grove.

After I left, he saw Derek make a phone call, arranging for some thugs to come the next day.

That’s how he found out I’d be in danger, but he had no direct evidence, so he could only tell me not to go.

But I didn’t listen, which is why he kidnapped me.

I never imagined he sacrificed so much to protect me.

I turned around and hugged him tightly.

“From now on, I’ll listen to you always.”

“Mhm.”

The next morning, Liam and I went to school together.

Derek, sitting in the front row, glared at me, his pen almost crushing in his hand.

He probably hadn’t expected me to skip our date yesterday, completely ruining his and Valerie’s plan.

Although I dodged a bullet this time, I knew Derek and Valerie would definitely find another way.

I averted my gaze from him and firmly took Liam’s large hand.

Feeling my hand, Liam immediately gripped mine tightly, his fingers intertwining with mine, lacing our fingers together.

He held my hand so tight, as if afraid of losing me.

I squeezed his hand back, giving him a response.

As we sat down, Liam quietly asked me,

“Chloe, you’re not using me as a pawn, trying to play hard to get with Derek, are you?”

I knew he still couldn't entirely trust me because of my sudden change.

After all, in my previous life, he had tied me up time and again to stop me from being with Derek.

Because of that, our relationship had been incredibly hostile.

I looked at him resolutely, gripping his hand even tighter.

“I would never use you.”

Liam didn't speak, turning his head to look at the blackboard.

But I still caught a glimpse of the small smile secretly curving his lips.

This man was really easy to please.

When class ended, Derek came over.

Under Liam’s fierce glare, he handed me a note.

“Chloe, read this note later.” He said, then left.

Liam immediately released my hand, trying to snatch the note.

“Chloe, you better throw that note away for me.”

“Otherwise, I will punish you!”

I crumpled it up and tossed it into the trash, smiling at him.

“Okay, okay, I’ll listen to you.”

“I threw it away.”

But when he went to the restroom, I secretly retrieved the note.

Inside it read: “Chloe, can you come to XX Cinema tonight? I want to watch a movie with you.”

After reading it, I tore the note into pieces.

I hadn’t expected Derek to be so impatient, asking me out again so soon.

This time, I would take my revenge personally. I wouldn’t let Liam worry about my affairs.

That evening, I sent Liam a SnapChat message, telling him I was going to a friend's house and would be back later.

He replied quickly, not asking which friend,

But asking where I was.