Chapter 3

Going to the hospital was just an excuse.

My classmate, Maya, saw how quiet I was, so she took me to a bar. She ordered several bottles of liquor, telling me to drink as much as I wanted, whatever made me happy. She promised not to ask about where I'd been all these years.

After a few rounds.

I was hugging the bottle, laughing傻傻的 (giddily).

Then the laughter turned to tears.

Maya looked at me, stroking my face. "Chloe, you've changed so much. Don't drink anymore."

"Don't you have anything to say to him? After all, he was the one who wronged you first."

I looked at her.

In outsiders' eyes, Liam betrayed me, having a one-night stand with the campus belle, and I disappeared heartbroken.

In reality, it was much more complicated.

I took the campus belle's money, conspired with Scarlett, and lied to Liam, making him believe it wasn't me he'd slept with, but Scarlett.

I, in a way, helped an outsider force him, force him to marry Scarlett.

I was unforgivable.

Now that he was getting married, it was my own fault.

Now that I was reduced to being a paid companion for others, that was also my own fault.

Suddenly, I moved, and Maya gasped, standing up.

But I still didn't register it, just hugged the bottle and laughed.

"Say? There's nothing to say."

"There's nothing to ask either. Ask him if he still loves me? If he says yes, then what about Scarlett?"

"If he says he doesn't love me anymore, that he's forgotten, what would I have left to hold onto? What would I do then... I can't ask, I can't bring myself to ask..."

"This is fine. Being strangers from now on is fine..."

I shook my head, heartbroken. The alcohol went to my head, and I nearly toppled onto the bar counter.

Suddenly, a warm palm blocked my forehead, protecting my head. I felt someone pick me up from behind.

I vaguely heard Liam's voice.

"How much did she drink?"

"A bottle... I think."

Liam chuckled softly. "Still a total lightweight, just like before."