Chapter 2

Liam was basically my childhood friend. He was reserved, steady, and exactly what I thought I wanted in a boyfriend.

Chasing him for eight years had been a relentless struggle. Until three nights ago. He came home smelling of alcohol, and uncharacteristically, he hugged me tightly, whispering in my ear, "Let's get engaged. We'll pick out a ring tomorrow."

To say I wasn't thrilled would be a lie. My tears fell, defiant and unstoppable.

Liam was unusually affectionate that night. His usual rough passion was replaced by a tender intimacy.

Until Liam's ragged breaths stopped at my neck, his warm exhalations constant, his lips continuously murmuring those two words.

"Brittany… Brittany…"

My heart instantly jolted. My previously yielding body stiffened, my eyes wide.

He was… he was mistaking me for Brittany.

During our most intimate moments, the man I loved called out another woman's name. What could be more insulting?

His love was fake, his affection was fake.

In his eyes, I was ultimately nothing compared to a sliver of Brittany's affection. I was just a placeholder for his frustration.

That night, I spent it in tears, a cold, biting emptiness within me.

The next day, Liam looked perfectly fine, ignoring my emotions. He went about his usual routine, showering and getting dressed.

Before leaving, he leaned close to me, a big smile on his face: "Chloe, come find me after work. We'll go pick out the ring together."

With that, he planted a loving kiss on my forehead.

Looking at Liam, he was still the man I deeply adored.

Time seemed to be exceptionally kind to him, refusing to leave even the slightest mark.

Once we were engaged, Liam would finally settle down, right? It meant he was trying to let go of his 'dream girl,' right?

I desperately tried to reassure myself, pulling myself together, attempting to conjure a faint smile on my pale face.

But, reality always strikes without warning.

Watching the video of the lovestruck Liam, and the ring on Brittany's ring finger, it all seemed so ridiculous to me.

That ring was custom-made, registered under Liam's ID. A man could only customize one in his lifetime.

I still remember how Liam half-bent over the counter, meticulously choosing it, constantly adjusting it with the salesperson. He looked so genuinely devoted.

At one point, because of the price, I even tried to haggle with the salesperson. But Liam was surprisingly quick to say, "No need, just wrap it up."

Now, I realize why he was so quick. It wasn't meant for me at all.

I packed his bags, reminiscing about everything with Liam.

Except, it was *his* bags I was packing.

The apartment was mine. He'd been freeloading off me for years, never paying a cent for internet, electricity, or heating. He was taking advantage of me.

It was time for him to go!

I simply gathered Liam's belongings into a cardboard box and tossed it by the door.

Including the Brown Bear plushie he'd bought me for 22 bucks at a street stall five years ago on my birthday.

People are so strange.

When you're deeply in love, even discarded items can feel like treasures.

Once you're disgusted, even cherished things become an eyesore.

Liam didn't send me a single message. Instead, that terrible friend of mine sent dozens, probably all mocking me.

I ignored them as usual. Then, I sent Liam a message: "Engagement canceled. We're done!"

SnapChat blocked, deleted; phone blocked, deleted.

I even changed my SnapChat privacy settings so no one could add me. If I was going to be heartless, I'd go all the way.

It was Wednesday, a regular workday.

As a seasoned corporate drone, the high pressure and fast pace of work were suffocating, leaving no free time for moping.

The office was unusually lively and busy today.

My colleague and best friend, Maya, saw me, smoothly wheeled her chair over, and handed me a beautifully wrapped gift box.

"These are wedding favors from someone in the Operations department. Everyone gets one."

She slyly gestured towards her phone, giving me a 'you know what this means' look that said I needed to see something ASAP.

Maya and I were college classmates, and we started working at the same company, in the Marketing department, right after graduation. We were lifelong besties, the kind you share everything with.

Naturally, she knew all about the emotional mess between me, Liam, and Brittany.

I opened my phone. Maya had sent me a few photos. Zooming in, I saw Brittany with an unfamiliar man. They were getting into a Porsche together, acting very affectionate.

The man looked much older, with a receding hairline and a slightly greasy look.

Maya gossiped that he was a total nouveau riche type, a flashy millionaire who'd recently inherited a massive fortune, complete with multiple properties. She'd accidentally snapped the photos leaving work last night.

The implication was clear: Brittany was a total gold-digger, pretending to be innocent and stringing Liam along, but in reality, she was fickle and greedy, always chasing money.

"Liam's such a damn idiot, can't tell a good person from a bad one," Maya muttered, defending me.

I smiled, turned off my phone, and handed Maya the work materials I'd prepared last night. "Don't think about it. Let's just get to work."

In the past, I might have been ecstatic.

Liam had just declared his undying love the night before, and the next day, his beloved found a sugar daddy. It would have been hilariously absurd.

Now…

Forget it. Whether they lived or died, what did it matter to me?

The company recently landed a huge case from our biggest client, and almost everyone in the Marketing department was working overtime, snatching a few minutes of rest during lunch.

Coincidentally, during a few minutes in the restroom, I ran into Brittany.

In college, Brittany was a year below me in the same major. Liam first met her at a departmental exchange seminar when he came to find me.

Liam told me he'd never liked anyone so much before, begging me in a desperately pleading tone to help him, or he'd regret it forever.

At the time, believing in selfless love, I gave Liam Brittany's contact information. A few days later, I saw them announce their relationship on social media.