Chapter 3

His fitted sportswear accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs. Sunlight streaming from the side outlined his sharp silhouette.

Only the dark circles under his eyes betrayed him; he probably hadn't slept well.

Seeing me enter, he straightened up, arms crossed, that familiar, infuriating smirk playing on his lips.

I averted my gaze. "Didn't someone swear he'd never attend my wedding?"

He suddenly leaned close, his warm breath brushing my ear.

In the moment our eyes met, I caught a glimpse of the stubborn boy from ten years ago.

"A bet's a bet, Ava."

I kept my lips sealed.

He instantly looked anxious. "You forgot?!"

"I don't care. We're getting married in three days. If you don't show up…" He paused, as if bracing himself. "I'll move in with the Millers and never leave!"

With that, as if afraid to hear my refusal, he swiftly slipped out the door.

I suddenly burst out laughing.

That idiot. Of course I remembered the bet.

Our families had been close for generations, we'd grown up together. We were too familiar to ever be lovers.

Ten years ago, he confessed his feelings to me. I told him we should just be friends.

He looked utterly heartbroken, insisting on making a bet with me.

I never thought, in the end, I would lose. Just as I changed out of my wedding dress, Liam sent me a photo.

All my belongings were piled outside the villa entrance like trash.

That pink teddy bear my mom made me stood out the most, carelessly stuffed into a transparent plastic bag, stinging my eyes in the sunlight.

"Move your stuff out immediately!"

"If you don't, I'll have the maids throw it away."

I stared at the screen, my fingertips chilling.

He knew exactly how to manipulate me. I could give up other things, but that pink teddy bear my mom made me by hand? I had to get it back.

"Okay, I'm coming."

My mom had spent three months making that plush teddy bear.

Someone who never touched a needle and thread, her fingers were pricked and dotted with blood.

The night before the wedding, she had smiled, handing me the teddy bear, "My dear, I want you to be happy forever."

"In your new home with your husband, think of this little bear as me."

But when I arrived, the entrance was empty.

Only half an hour had passed.

I had clearly said I would come. Was he really so eager to kick me out?

A surge of fury rushed through me. I pushed open the villa door and stormed inside.

The moment I pushed the door, I felt a chill to my bones.

Chloe sat on the edge of the dining table. Liam had his hands on her waist, his face pressed against her swollen belly, his gentle expression blinding.

"Honey," Chloe suddenly whispered, "the baby kicked me."

Liam immediately pressed closer, a curve on his lips I'd never seen before. "Such a little rascal, just like you when you were small."

When he looked up, his gaze was soft enough to melt. "I hope the eyes are just like yours."

Chloe smiled, pursing her lips.

Liam expertly pressed a kiss to her lips, his tone suddenly filled with guilt. "Are you really sure you want to leave after the baby is born? You know… you could stay. I can take care of you and the baby. Such a tiny baby, how can it grow up without its birth mother?"

Chloe placed her index finger on his lips, shaking her head. "If I don't leave, what about Ava?"

Hearing my name, Liam clearly froze, then his expression darkened.

"Her? She's just acting out of spite by saying she wants to break up. Once the baby is born, she'll come begging me to help raise it. A businesswoman's daughter like her, she only cares about profit, she has no dignity whatsoever."

"Have you forgotten how she shamelessly chased after me to be my girlfriend? That repulsive face of hers, it still makes me sick to think about it."

My tears fell silently.

So, my brave confession all those years ago had actually disgusted him all this time.