Chapter 5

As soon as I looked up, I met Liam’s unyielding gaze.

Chloe also looked a little embarrassed.

“Ever since I’ve been with Liam, he’s always prepared my three meals a day. This is the first time I’ve actively bought breakfast.”

Her genuine words left me at a loss for a reply.

“Thank you.”

I gently accepted it, offering my thanks.

But given my condition, I ultimately didn’t eat it.

Once in the car, I continued driving south.

The snow thinned out, and the long-awaited sunlight pierced through the clouds, warming me slightly.

After four hours of driving, we reached a small town. The navigation system warned me about driver fatigue and suggested a rest stop.

I pulled the car into an open-air parking lot.

Chloe, excited, looked at the scattered shops ahead, linked her arm with Liam’s, and got out of the car.

“Ellie, Liam and I are going to look around. We’ll be back in half an hour.”

Liam glanced at me, then proactively took Chloe’s hand.

After they left, I noticed a local photo studio nearby.

Thinking I hadn’t prepared a death portrait yet, I instinctively walked inside.

The owner enthusiastically introduced me to various traditional outfits.

“You’re so beautiful, you could take some stunning photos in a traditional mountain robe.”

I shook my head.

“I just need a simple seated photo, no costume changes.”

My request was modest, and the photographer quickly took the picture.

I looked at the color photo on the computer screen and told the owner.

“Could you please convert this photo to black and white for me?”

The owner looked a bit surprised.

“Black and white photos aren’t usually for happy occasions… Is this for…”

I smiled bitterly.

“It’s for a funeral portrait.”

As soon as the words left my lips, a forceful tug suddenly pulled my hand from behind.

I turned around, meeting Liam’s indignant eyes.

“What funeral portrait?”

I hadn’t expected Liam to appear then. I subtly pulled my hand back.

“My funeral portrait.”

Liam’s expression stiffened, a sneer almost overflowing from his eyes.

“What’s the point of using such a lie to deceive people?”

I hadn’t expected my honest confession to be dismissed as a mere lie by Liam.

Regardless of whether he believed me or not, it no longer mattered.

I brushed back the strands of hair the wind had messed up, my voice so light it seemed to scatter.

“I was just kidding. It’s for a friend’s funeral portrait.”

Then, I looked at the owner.

“Is the photo color adjusted?”

The owner looked at us both in surprise, then lowered his gaze to the computer screen, momentarily confused.

“Why did the photo suddenly get overexposed…? Ma’am, we might need to retake it.”

I walked over to the computer, only to see that the originally clear photo had somehow become blurry.

It looked as if something had obscured it, making it impossible to distinguish who was in it.

I couldn’t help but glance at my own faintly dissipating hand and let out a bitter laugh.

“Never mind. Let’s just leave it.”

I was a dead person now. Even if I took a thousand, ten thousand more photos, they probably wouldn’t come out clear.

I was about to head back to the car, but Liam stopped me.

“Chloe wants to take some snow wedding photos here. We’ll leave after we’re done.”

Hearing that, I really frowned.

We’d clearly agreed to leave after a half-hour rest. Why the sudden change to wedding photos?

“I need to get back to Veridian City quickly. I don’t have time for delays.”

Liam furrowed his brow slightly.

“Taking wedding photos is a big deal for Chloe and me. How can you call that a delay?”

Seeing his tone, I felt a surge of anger.

“Liam, your big life events have nothing to do with me!”

“But this funeral is the most important event of my life, and I have to be there on time!”

“It’s just your friend’s funeral. Is it really necessary to rush like this? We can make up the time on the highway.”