Chapter 3

Even if I was just a stand-in, I deserved a performance fee for all these years, didn't I?

After swiping the card, I sat in a coffee shop, waiting for a message from Liam.

I hoped that when he saw the transaction alert, he'd text me, a sign that he cared.

But he didn't.

He didn't care about me, so he wouldn't even think about my recent unusual behavior.

At 6 PM, I looked at Liam's chat. The last message was still the restaurant address and time he'd sent me that morning.

6:30 PM, STAR Bistro.

It was almost time for me to go.

When I arrived at the private room, Liam and Noah were already there.

Noah was Liam's best friend. They'd known each other for years, supporting each other to get where they were today.

Seeing me enter, Noah quickly stood up. "My sister's here! Come, sit!"

I glanced at Liam, then sat next to Noah.

It was the first time I hadn't sat beside him.

Liam's expression darkened slightly, but he didn't say much. He just frowned and called the waiter to order.

"Three cream of mushroom soups, three foie gras, and three medium-rare rib-eye steaks. And three blueberry cheesecakes for dessert, served an hour later."

"Understood, sir." The waiter quickly jotted down the order and left.

But both Noah and I looked uneasy.

I furrowed my brows tightly. "Did you forget? I'm allergic to beef."

At the same time I spoke, Noah also chimed in. "Liam, my sister is allergic to beef. How could you order her steak?"

Liam froze at their words.

He looked somewhat guilty, but he instinctively said, "I just forgot in the rush, do you two have to make a big deal out of it? Can't we just order another dish? I'll eat this one myself, is that not okay?"

Noah looked at me worriedly, sighed, and said nothing.

But it was clear he was displeased with Liam, yet powerless to do anything about him.

I grabbed my purse, stood up, and said, "I'm going to the restroom."

Noah quickly called out to me. "What do you want to eat? We'll reorder for you."

"I'm not hungry. Just a light dessert will do."

"But..."

Before Noah could finish, Liam's face instantly turned grim. "Alright, you don't need to bother with me. I'll eat if I want, or not. I'll eat when I'm hungry."

My steps faltered. Once in the restroom, I looked up, trying hard not to cry.

Even though I was leaving him, my love for him had existed for so many years. To say I wasn't sad would be a lie.

Besides, I had lived in Liam's house for so many years, yet he had forgotten I was allergic to beef.

I suddenly remembered Skylar's private Ins account had posted a photo at a bistro, captioned with "medium-rare rib-eye steak."

I looked at myself in the mirror, eyes red-rimmed. I tried to offer myself a comforting smile, but I couldn't.

After composing myself in the restroom for a long time, I touched up my makeup, ready to go back. But before entering the private room, I heard Liam say, "She's just a stand-in. Why should I care?"

Those words struck me like a bolt of lightning, shaking me to my core.

My last tiny shred of hope was completely extinguished by Liam's statement.

I had no expectations of him left.

I was about to turn and leave when I heard Noah start to explode. "Liam, why did I never realize you were this kind of person?"

My retreating steps halted. I listened on.

"How I am is none of your business. Just focus on your own arranged marriage. My affairs have nothing to do with you."

Liam's tone was clearly annoyed.

"It has nothing to do with me, but as your best friend for so many years, I'm advising you not to provoke trouble and not to let a good girl down."

During my years with Liam, I'd often joined him to see Noah.

I could tell Noah was truly furious this time.

Liam grew increasingly impatient. "Alright, I get it. Stop talking, it's annoying."

Noah suddenly spoke with confusion. "She's been gone for a while, hasn't she? Why isn't she back yet?"

"Who cares if she comes back or not? She's been getting more and more out of line lately, always throwing tantrums. Let her calm down."

Noah looked exasperated. "She's your girlfriend!"

"Noah." Liam thought for a long time before speaking. "This isn't your business. You're overstepping."

My small hands clenched into fists.

I lowered my head gently, then turned and walked away.

I went to my usual bar, found an inconspicuous spot, and distractedly sipped my favorite Long Island Iced Tea.

Whenever I was upset, I'd come here for a Long Island Iced Tea. It had become a habit.

"Chloe?" Someone called my name.

I looked up and saw it was Skylar.

Skylar made herself right at home, jogging over and grabbing my hand, chattering away. "See? We're so meant to be. I just got back, and I ran into you here!"

I forced a smile. "Yeah, what a coincidence..."

My other hand gripped my glass, my fingers trembling slightly, my body stiff.

Skylar didn't notice my oddness. She pulled me to my feet. "Come on, let's drink together! Liam will be here soon too."

Hearing that, I was a bit stunned. "You two... got back together?"

Skylar looked thoughtful. "I don't know if it counts, but I've been back for three days, and he's spent all three days with me. So I guess we have, right? After all, we never forgot each other." She smiled at me again. "Come on, let's go together! Drinking alone is so boring."

I was about to refuse when Liam's furious voice cut in beside me. "What are you doing here? Are you following me?"

I froze for a second, then gave a cold laugh. "Following you? Do you own this bar? Only you and she can come here, but I can't?"

Liam was speechless for a moment. He stepped forward as if to say more, but Skylar pulled on his arm. "Liam, don't. I'm still just a little girl."

I stopped watching their public display of affection. My desire to drink vanished. I turned to leave.

Before I reached the door, I was bumped into by a strange man.