Chapter 5

Until we smoothly pulled over to the side of the road ahead, she coolly took off her sunglasses and told me the truth.

"Chloe, I'm rich! This is the boyfriend I found for you, Finn. Are you satisfied?"

I instantly zoned out. The amount of information was too much; my brain couldn't keep up.

I hadn't even fully recovered from the Liam situation, and now I had a boyfriend?

More importantly, I didn't even know this guy!

Rich?! So this Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen!!!

Then, as Maya gave her "tearful" explanation, it clicked.

Maya's family were local residents, and they'd recently inherited a small fortune when their old neighborhood was bought out.

As an only child, she impulsively bought a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen as a reward for all her years as a corporate drone.

And I, Chloe Davies, as the rich girl's best friend, couldn't possibly mope around over some scumbag. So she specifically found me a handsome guy… to make up for it…

You know, *that* kind of making up for it.

The photos Maya sent me this morning of Brittany and that old man were from last night. On her way home, she just happened to pass by, and just happened to see them. In a moment of excitement, she quickly took the photos.

Since they were all from the same neighborhood, they knew each other well enough. A quick inquiry would reveal everything.

"Chloe, maybe…" Maya's eyebrows subtly arched, a knowing, unrestrained smile playing on her lips.

I knew Maya wanted to teach those two a lesson, to get revenge for me.

I didn't refuse, but I didn't condone it either.

Maya was straightforward and fiercely loyal. If she acted impulsively and caused any other trouble that implicated her, it simply wouldn't be worth it.

Bad people eventually get what's coming to them. The cause of one life is the effect of the next.

Brittany was two-timing; she was digging her own grave. If she didn't know how to act, someone else would teach her. Why should I dirty my hands?

As for Liam, he was just a familiar stranger now. There was nothing left to cling to.

I asked Maya to drop me off at the nearest subway station. I didn't want to go home so quickly; I wanted to walk alone and clear my head.

As for my "little boyfriend" Finn, haha, as a regular corporate drone, I can't handle that kind of attention.

I gave Maya a mischievous look. My meaning was definitely what she'd like to hear.

With that, I got out of the car, waved goodbye to Finn in the backseat, and walked away.

My eight-year relationship with Liam had been a roundabout journey, and we ultimately ended up going our separate ways.

It had also drained me of all my initial enthusiasm and innocence for love. I no longer dared to give my whole heart.

The Chloe I once was is gone. And the Chloe of the future certainly won't be that way again.

Because I'm too scared to anymore.

Today's weather seemed to reflect my mood, fickle and unpredictable.

Before I even got home, a gentle rain began to fall.

There was a large chain grocery store near my apartment. In the past, after work, Liam and I would always go grocery shopping together.

Every time he walked beside me, and I gently held his arm, it felt like a preview of our future life.

Wherever he was, that was my home.

I pushed a small shopping cart through the aisles, picking out items from the shelves. Although it felt like something was missing, this feeling made me feel especially secure.

In the fruit section, the refrigerated display cases held a variety of fruits, along with pre-packaged portions of blue cheese.

It was almost fate. Liam's least favorite food was blue cheese, while I was a fervent fan.

Because I liked him, I even changed my true preference, later making up a lame excuse: "I'm allergic to blue cheese!"

How many people claim allergies, when deep down, it's just a compromise for the person they love.

The rain stopped. I carried a small bag of groceries home. It wasn't much, but it felt like I was filling the void left by eight years of my emotional life.

Back at home, Liam's things were still by the door. He hadn't been back.

As I took out my keys to open the door, urgent footsteps sounded behind me. The next second, a familiar scent and warmth enveloped me.

"Chloe-belle, I was wrong. Please forgive me, okay?"

Liam's voice was urgent and pleading, ending with a choked sob.

He was begging me, begging me not to leave him.

"Why did you delete me? Do you know how worried I was? I was going crazy!"

His strong, broad hands gripped my shoulders, pressing down hard, draining most of my strength.

I struggled fiercely, desperate to break free from his embrace. "Liam, let go! You're hurting me! You're a jerk!"

The grocery bag slipped from my hands, falling heavily to the floor. Liam, like a madman, aggressively attacked me with his kisses.

If before, his kisses had been filled with romance and deep affection, now, every touch only made me feel utterly disgusted.

"Liam, you're crazy, get off me! Get—"

I roared through tears, my eyes bloodshot, my collar pulled askew, my neck red and swollen.

"Let go!"

A strange yet familiar voice cut through the air, strong and resolute.

Before I could react, a strong, firm hand roughly yanked Liam off me. The next second, with a thud, Liam crashed into the wall, then fell heavily to the ground.

A tall figure inexplicably appeared before me. Under the dim, flickering hallway light, I strained to make out his face.

It was Finn!

He hadn't left after all.