Chapter 4

He was reeking of alcohol and about to curse, but when he saw my delicate and pretty face, he flashed a yellow-toothed, lecherous grin. "Well, look at this pretty little thing. What's the fun in drinking alone? Come have a couple with me."

I frowned, trying to avoid him, but he grabbed me tightly.

Seeing I was ignoring him, the man burst into an expletive. "Bitch, you don't want a nice face, huh?"

I instinctively looked in Liam's direction, unable to help but shout, "Let go of me!"

More and more people gathered, including Liam.

He strode over, took my hand, glared at me, then politely said to the drunk man, "I'm so sorry. This is my little one. She's clumsy and bumped into you. I apologize on her behalf."

Then, without waiting for the drunk man to react, he quickly pulled me into a corner.

I was upset. "He was touching me and called me a bitch! Why did you apologize to him?"

Liam's face was grim. "If you didn't come to a place like this, would you have bumped into him? If you hadn't bumped into him, would he have suddenly gotten perverted with you? Chloe, when are you going to grow up?"

"A place like this?" I suddenly laughed. "What do you mean by 'a place like this'? Is it sleazy? Or immoral? If you think coming here is improper, then you and Skylar are meeting here – how proper is that?"

*Slap!*

I clutched my cheek, staring at Liam in disbelief.

In all these years, it was the first time he had ever hit me, and it was because of Skylar.

"Liam Donovan, no matter what our relationship is, and no matter what happens in the future, right now, I am your girlfriend."

Though it wouldn't be for long.

"Are you threatening me?"

More coldness seeped into his eyes.

I met his deep gaze with a cold stare. "I wouldn't dare." I forcefully shook off his hand and said fiercely, "I'm leaving. You can enjoy your date with your old flame."

But the man in front of me said nothing, only stared at me silently.

Speechless, I turned and walked away.

Just as I reached the door, I heard someone inside shout, "A fight's broken out!"

"Liam! Stop fighting!"

I was about to take my final step out but was startled by the familiar voice and name.

Logically, none of this should concern me anymore, yet my feet uncontrollably turned back.

At the center of a crowd of onlookers, Liam had a large, burly man pinned beneath him, savagely beating him. This man was the same one who had harassed me earlier.

He wildly threw punches, repeatedly smashing them into the man's face, muttering, "You animal! Today, I'm going to teach you a lesson, you pervert who harasses women!"

Skylar sat on the ground nearby, trying to stop him, but flinched away, afraid of being caught in the crossfire. She could only cry out, pleading for him to stop.

I stood rooted to the spot, watching him go wild for Skylar, until security finally pulled the two apart.

The man's face was covered in blood. He yelled that he would press charges against Liam, but Liam met his gaze with a furious glare, completely unfazed.

Ultimately, because the man was in the wrong and it was his second offense that day, he couldn't withstand the public outcry and fled in a panic.

Liam then straightened his collar, turned, and saw me, who had been watching for a long time.

"Why are you still here?"

His tone was not good.

I tried to calm myself. "I'm leaving now."

"Chloe." Seeing me about to go, Liam quickly called out to me. "Let's leave together. I'll take you home."

I glanced at him and Skylar, then sneered, "No need. Go take good care of your Skylar."

My movement to leave paused for four or five seconds, then I walked away without looking back.

Liam took two steps in the direction I left, but ultimately turned back to Skylar, putting his arm around her as they walked away.

I went home, took out all the packed luggage, and checked into a hotel.

Lying on the bed, my mind involuntarily replayed the events of the night.

I had also been sexually harassed by that man. I was clearly one of the victims, yet when Skylar was harassed, he went wild wanting to protect her. But I had to be yelled at by Liam, and he even apologized to that pervert on my behalf?

I opened my phone, unconsciously scrolling through social media.

Skylar had posted a photo of clasped hands, with the caption: "This filthy world isn't worth it, but he is. After all this circling, he's still the only one by my side."

On the man's hand in the photo, there was a circular mark on his middle finger.

I was all too familiar with that mark.

It was the imprint of a ring.

The day after Liam and I officially became a couple, I eagerly rushed to the counter and bought the pair of couple's rings I had longed for.

I had saved up my allowance for three years to afford them. I waited until I was finally with the man I loved before I finally brought them home.

I still remember that day, smiling brightly, I personally slipped the men's ring onto his finger. Then, shy but with a hint of possessiveness, I said, "This ring took me ages to save for, so you can't take it off! As long as the ring is there, I'm there. If one day the ring disappears from your middle finger, that means you've completely lost me."

Liam smiled indulgently, gently hugged me, and kissed my forehead. "I'll never take this ring off, not even in death."

Hearing that, I hastily covered my mouth, playfully chiding, "Don't say such things!"

A frantic ringtone jolted me from my reverie.

It was Liam calling.

I hesitated for a few seconds. Just as I was about to answer, Liam hung up.