Chapter 8

Clutching my face, I stared at Liam, my eyes filled with despair.

Growing up together, childhood sweethearts—that love had long been etched into his very bones.

And I, I was nothing more than an unlucky stranger who had stumbled into his life.

Grandma was the same—unlucky.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been worrying about her grandson until the day before she died.

“Alright, alright, stop arguing! Let’s get the old lady to the hospital immediately!”

Someone came over to mediate.

They didn’t yet know that Grandma was beyond help.

Everyone was in a frenzy. I looked at Grandma, being carried away, overcome with boundless grief.

Knowing the outcome, I didn’t go to the hospital but stayed at the old manor.

News of Grandma’s death soon arrived. The joyous occasion turned into a funeral, leaving everyone heartbroken.

The sky was gray on the day of the funeral.

After a final farewell at the cemetery, I left without exchanging another word with anyone from the Lennox family.

As I neared the cemetery gate, Liam caught up with me.

“Why are you leaving in such a hurry? Come home with us in a bit.”

Home? Did I even have a home anymore?

“No need.”

I ignored him and walked straight ahead.

Liam frowned and grabbed my arm.

“Harper, how long are you going to keep this up? Grandma is gone. I’ve said all the good things I could to Mom, Dad, and the relatives, and they finally decided not to pursue your responsibility. I’ve done this much for you; isn’t that enough?”

“My responsibility? What responsibility do I have?”

I shook off his hand.

“Liam, I’ll say it one last time: Grandma’s death had nothing to do with me. You should go ask Rain what really happened.”

Unwilling to say more, I turned and swiftly walked down the steps.

“Harper!”

Liam chased after me for a few steps, then stood on the staircase, staring angrily at my rapidly retreating back.

“It’s easy to leave, but hard to come back. My patience has its limits. Don’t regret this.”

Come back?

Never.

Liam, I won’t be back.

I didn’t look back. Liam’s face hardened in anger.

Fine, go. Let’s see how long you can be stubborn.

He stopped watching my retreating figure and turned back.

A week later, when Liam returned home, a wave of irritation washed over him as he looked at the empty bedroom.

Seven days, and that woman still hadn’t caved.

She hadn’t come home, hadn’t called, not even a single text.

She’d never been like this before, not even when Rain first got pregnant. What was different this time?

Just as he was pondering, Rain came over.

“Brother, look at my new dress. Doesn’t it look pretty?”

She stretched out her arms and twirled.

In this time, she had not only fully recovered but also looked healthier, her complexion glowing.

The lake-blue off-the-shoulder long dress made her look like a beautiful fairy.

Liam glanced at it, uninterested in the dress.

He was about to give a perfunctory reply when his phone rang.

“Mr. Lennox, this is the property management for Crystal Manor. Your house is on fire…”

Crystal Manor was the small villa he’d bought when they got married.

They had lived there for a while after getting married, but then Eleanor had called them back to live here, leaving the villa vacant.

No one was living there, so how could it be on fire?

Liam was puzzled. He hung up the phone and rushed over.

By the time he arrived, the fire department was already wrapping up.

The fire had raged fiercely.

The elegant two-story villa was now just a charred skeleton.

There were still scattered embers on the roof frame, and fire trucks were spraying water inside.

Outside, besides the fire trucks, there were also one or two medical vehicles.

No one was hurt, so what were the medical vehicles doing there?

Liam was puzzled.

As he prepared to question the property management, he saw several people rushing out from inside.

They were carrying a stretcher, draped with a white sheet. Beneath the sheet was a charred, black mass.

Beside the stretcher was a doctor he recognized, and that person was crying.

“Chloe? What are you doing here? Why are you crying?”

Liam rushed over and grabbed Chloe’s arm, a surge of unease flooding his heart.

Chloe raised her face, her red-rimmed eyes staring at Liam. She pushed him away like a madwoman.

“You have the nerve to ask?! Harper is dead, and you’re still asking?!”

“Harper?!”

Liam froze for a moment, then turned and lunged at the stretcher, tearing off the white sheet.