Chapter 3

In my daze, my finger accidentally touched the scalding hot soup. I instinctively let go, and the soup bowl instantly crashed to the floor.

"Ah—" Chloe shrieked.

The soup splattered onto Chloe's arm, instantly turning it red.

Liam’s expression changed instantly. He grabbed Chloe's arm with concern, asking anxiously, "Where did it burn? Is it bad? Let me see—"

"It's okay, Liam," Chloe said, her voice laced with a sob, feigning understanding. "Ava probably didn't do it on purpose. Don't blame her."

"What do you mean not on purpose? I think she did it on purpose!"

Liam turned to me, his face frighteningly dark. "Ava Miller, I just asked you to make a few dishes for Chloe. Do you have to be so scheming against her?"

I stammered an explanation. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"Don't try to deny it! The soup was perfectly fine when you carried it out of the kitchen. The moment you got near Chloe, it spilled! What else could it be but on purpose?!"

I opened my mouth, but suddenly no words came out.

"I can't believe how malicious you are!"

Liam grew angrier with each word, slamming his hand on the table. "If you ever try these petty tricks again, get out of my house!"

With that, Liam rushed Chloe to the hospital.

Leaving me alone in the house, to clean up the mess.

No one knew that my finger was also burned, red and swollen.

The pain was bone-deep, excruciating.

I remembered, the old Liam used to dote on me.

I lost my father at a young age. When I was eight, my mother and I moved in with the Smith family.

Liam and I grew up together.

As a child, Liam was wonderful to me, treating me like his own little sister.

When I was thirteen, my mother suddenly left without a trace, and I never heard from her again.

It was the Smith family who continued to take me in when I had nowhere to go.

During those darkest days, Liam gently and firmly told me, "Don't be scared, Ava. My home is your home. I am your family. You will never be alone."

I lived in the Smith house for over ten years, and my relationship with Liam was always good.

But all of that ended with Chloe's arrival.

Chloe was Liam's arranged marriage prospect. After they met half a year ago, Liam was instantly captivated by her.

He fell in love with Chloe, and with it, he withdrew all his kindness from me.

Simply because Chloe didn't like me, Liam started to become cold and distant.

My status in Liam's eyes gradually shifted from family to housekeeper.

After taking Chloe to the hospital, Liam didn't come home for several days.

In the past, no matter how late he worked, Liam would always come home. Even if he couldn't, he would call me beforehand.

But now, I was left alone in an empty house, waiting for someone who didn't want to come home.

Liam's parents had moved abroad two years ago, and Liam had let go of all the household staff, leaving only him and me in the house.

Now, Liam wasn't coming home either.

This place, for me, was no longer a home.

It was time for me to leave.

But before I went, I wanted to say a proper goodbye to Liam.

One day, two days, three days… I waited for a week, but Liam never returned.

On the eighth day, the house was broken into.

That night, as I slept, I heard rustling noises outside. I thought Liam had returned. I threw off the covers and got out of bed, only to see a shadowy figure lurking in Liam's room, prying open his safe with a small knife.

In that instant, I forgot my fear. My first instinct was to protect Liam's possessions.

"Stop right there!" I shouted, trying to scare the thief. "I've already called the police!"

The thief panicked and, as he fled, swung the knife, slashing my arm.

Crimson blood flowed steadily down my arm, dripping onto the floor, spreading into a stark, painful bloom.

I bit back the pain, pulled out my phone, and called Liam.

It was the first time we had contacted each other in a week.

The phone rang several times before it was answered. Liam's emotionless voice came through the receiver. "What is it?"

I hadn't cried when the assailant cut my arm, but hearing Liam's voice after a week, my eyes instantly welled up.

My voice raw, I choked out a plea, "Liam, the house was broken into… could you please come home?"

What I got in response was a string of cold accusations from Liam. "What new trick are you trying now? The security system here is so good, how could it be broken into? I think you're just looking for an excuse to trick me into coming home!"

"I'm not lying, Liam. The house really was broken into, and my hand is hurt…"

Before I could finish, Liam coldly cut me off. "Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do. I advise you to drop those ideas quickly. There's no future for us! Chloe doesn't like me getting too close to you. We should keep our distance from now on."

"And even if it really was broken into, just call the police. What good is calling me? I need to be with Chloe. I don't have time for you!"

Before I could say another word, Liam hung up.