Chapter 3

That night, I lay alone in my small apartment, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Five years, how many five-year periods does one have in a lifetime?

Liam and I were both from modest backgrounds, working hard in the same city after graduating from college.

We met at a friend's gathering.

At that time, we had both just graduated, experienced some of life's harsh realities, but still held a sliver of hope, unwilling to give up on our dreams.

The day we got together was my birthday.

It rained heavily that day, and he didn't bring an umbrella.

In the rain, he huddled over, carefully protecting a small cake in his arms, and ran to me, smiling as he said:

"Cassidy, Happy Birthday!"

I looked at Liam, soaked to the bone, and was deeply moved.

After adulthood, besides my parents, no one paid attention to my birthday. Liam was the only one.

From then on, in this cold concrete jungle, two lonely souls clung together, warming each other.

"Cassidy, I'll celebrate your birthday every year from now on!"

"Cassidy, when I make money later, I'll buy you a car! And pick you up and drop you off from work every day!"

"No! By then, you won't need to work! I'll take care of you! I'll drive you around! We'll go eat delicious food, see beautiful sights, and travel the world!"

He liked to dream, and I accompanied him. Because his dreams included me.

Back then, I firmly believed that as long as there was love, no hardship was truly hardship.

I worked hard to make money, pinched pennies, just to save more, and buy our own house sooner.

The trendy coffee shop next to the office launched new flavors. An $8 cup, and every colleague had one. I couldn't help but want to try it, but he advised me,