Chapter 5

After a brief lull, he started a barrage of messages.

【Chloe, where are you right now? Are you home?】

【Reply quickly, let me know you're safe.】

【Are you being unreasonable again? I'll come home tomorrow to find you. If you want to make a scene, let's talk about it when I get back.】

I bit my finger, pondering for a long time before replying: 【Liam, if one day I disappeared, would you miss me?】

I hadn't expected Liam to say anything nice, it was just a farewell before I left.

It wasn't until my phone's alarm woke me up that I realized four hours had passed since I sent the message.

"Hello?" I rubbed my eyes, answering weakly.

But a familiar yet strange voice startled my heart.

I had just fallen asleep and hadn't checked the caller ID. Unexpectedly, it was Skylar calling from Liam's phone.

Skylar's voice carried undisguised mockery. "Chloe, I mean, how old are you? You're an adult, how can you be so shameless? You've been living with Liam all these years, he's practically your brother, and you always speak to him in such a slutty tone? Ha – what a tramp."

I cleared my head, frowning. "We're in a relationship right now. How I speak to him is my business. On the other hand, you're monopolizing someone else's boyfriend in the middle of the night. What exactly are you?"

Skylar was speechless for a moment. "You... you shameless woman, don't you know you're just being used as my stand-in? After Liam and I broke up, he only got with you because he missed me. Don't you have any self-awareness?"

I said nothing.

Skylar on the other end continued, "Guess why Liam has been spending all his time with me since I came back? And then think about why I'm calling you from Liam's phone so late? You're old enough to understand that there's a difference between men and women, and we women should have some dignity, don't you agree? He's already reconciled with me, why are you still clinging to him?"

"Oh, Liam, don't kiss me yet, I'm on the phone chatting with your little sister. Stop... that tickles so much..."

"Liam... I'm still on the phone... mm..."

After a string of extremely suggestive words, the call abruptly ended, like a sharp blade plunged deep into my heart.

Though I clenched my eyes shut, my fists tightened, nails digging into my palms, trying desperately not to cry, tears still streamed down my cheeks.

I don't know how long I cried before I fell asleep clutching my phone.

When I woke up again, it was already the next day.

I sprang out of bed, immediately changing my flight time.

Every second I spent in this city now felt sickening.

I looked at my swollen, tear-stained eyes reflected in my phone screen and cursed myself for being an idiot.

After washing up, I grabbed my suitcase and headed straight to the airport. At the same time, I sent Liam one last message, then changed my phone's SIM card.

My future life might be peaceful, or it might be exciting, but it would definitely be without Liam, and I didn't need Liam.

【I'm gone. I wish you and Skylar a long and happy life together, filled with love and trust.】

Stepping out of the terminal in Los Angeles, I was wrapped in a black trench coat. A silver Bentley pulled up in front of me.

The driver got out, walked over to me, and respectfully took my suitcase. "Good afternoon, Miss Chloe."