Chapter 1

When I got to Liam's place, he opened the door, yawning widely.

I just stood there, right at his doorstep, and said, "We're over."

Liam froze, a confused look on his face.

"Baby, what did I do wrong this time?"

"You didn't answer my calls," I stated, my voice flat.

He chuckled, reaching for my hand like he always did.

"I was up too late playing games with the guys yesterday, so I slept in a bit today. Didn't even hear my phone ring. To make it up to you, how about I get ready and we go to that restaurant you’ve been dying to try?"

Liam and I had been together for seven years, and he clearly thought I was just being dramatic again.

I pulled my hand away coldly.

"No, thanks. I'm leaving."

He never truly took my words seriously.

And if that’s the case, then I don't need him.

"Just because I missed your call this morning?" Liam grabbed my wrist, "Baby, seriously, stop being difficult, okay?"

"I really didn't mean to. I just bought a new game yesterday, played a little late, and I told you that."

I pulled my hand away, my voice cold, "I don't want to say anything more. Let go."

Liam persisted,

"You don't like Thai food? Then let's go for European? There's a trendy new European place downtown, how about we go there together? I just bought a Fujifilm..."

I looked at Liam. "I don't like it anymore."

Liam froze.

Just then, Chloe, wearing a loose-fitting pajama top, walked out of the guest room behind him.

"What's going on, Liam? You guys woke me up in the guest room."

I looked at a sleepy Chloe, and a sudden laugh escaped me.

Oh, right. Liam's 'best friend.' The one who's a girl.

And it was her who sent me a really suggestive photo, making me believe Liam had slept with her.

Chloe walked up to me, grinning. "Audrey, what happened?"

Liam rubbed his temples. "Missed her call, she's throwing a fit."

Chloe's eyes widened, and she quickly came over, linking her arm through mine.

Her tone was overly familiar,

"Audrey, Liam and I pulled an all-nighter playing games last night. He really didn't miss your call on purpose! The game just launched, and I got really into it, so I kinda dragged Liam into an all-nighter. Please don't be mad at him, he really didn't mean it..."

"We're not that chummy, Chloe." I pulled my arm away, looking at Liam. "Did you change the password?"

Liam frowned, clearly confused.

I repeated myself, "Liam, the door code to your apartment has been changed. I can't get in."

Liam denied it, "How could that be? My door code has always been our anniversary..."

I turned my gaze to Chloe beside me.

Sure enough, she spoke up,

"Liam, a few days ago, you had the guys over for a party, and most of them don't know Audrey, so I just went ahead and changed the door code. It's no big deal, right? You can just change it back. Audrey, you're being a bit uptight about it..."

Liam sighed, looking at Chloe.

"Chloe, Audrey isn't as laid-back as you. She's sensitive, and it's totally normal for her to care about these things. Just apologize to her, okay?"

He rubbed his temples, his voice tired.

I chuckled sarcastically, taking a step back.

"No, thanks. I can't be as 'generous' as your 'best friend.' Your buddies may not know me, but they sure know how close you and Chloe are. Chloe shows up at your place with a game, you let her in, even stay over. She even changed your door code. So, Liam, why don't you two just move in together, get married, and I'll be there to raise a toast to your happy union, how about that?"

"Audrey, that's too much."

Liam frowned, taking a step forward, unconsciously shielding Chloe behind him.

"Chloe and I go way back If anything was going to happen, it would have happened already. What are you being so unreasonable about now? And we played games so late yesterday, I couldn't just send a girl home, could I? Besides, she stayed in the guest room last night. Don't be so aggressive, Audrey. Chloe's right, it's just a code, you can just change it back."

"If anything was going to happen, it would have happened already," he says.

I choked back the bitter taste in my throat, staring intensely at Liam.

"So, you *do* realize Chloe is a girl."

Liam flinched.

I turned and walked away without hesitation.

Chloe's voice drifted from behind me, "Liam, Audrey's so mad, aren't you going to go after her?"

"It's fine. We're almost engaged. She's just throwing a tantrum, she'll get over it, it's no big deal."

Liam's voice wasn't loud, but it pierced my ears.

But he didn't know I was already preparing my documents to study abroad.

I wouldn't be turning back.