Chapter 5

Liam stood there as if he wasn't even present, still staring at his shoes. I found it utterly ridiculous. All my fantasies from yesterday now seemed like the most pathetic jokes.

I ignored Brenda's incessant rambling and just stared at Liam. "Is that what you think too? Are you here to break off the engagement?"

Liam knew he couldn't hide any longer. He looked up at me, his eyes devoid of any former affection, and said coldly, "Yes!"

I stumbled, and my parents quickly steadied me from behind. "Liam, have you forgotten what you promised me?"

Liam scoffed. "Clara and I are only engaged, not married. I have no legal responsibilities or obligations to her. Besides, I'm not looking for someone to take care of; I want a supportive partner, a warm harbor to care for *me* and *my mother*, to make my life and work free from worrying nuisances!"

"I'm a normal man; of course, I'd put myself first. Can you honestly say that if *I* were the one with cancer today, you wouldn't break off the engagement?"

But the truth was, we wouldn't have. After all, I had just been thinking about how to tell you, how to get you treatment, how to care for you. I never once considered abandoning you.

My heart shattered into a million pieces, yet I also felt incredibly fortunate to see his true colors now. I smiled and nodded. "Fine, then the engagement is off. We'll go our separate ways from now on."

Liam probably hadn't expected me to agree so readily. He looked a bit awkward, then habitually tried to morally blackmail me. "And you talk about loving me? If you truly loved me, you wouldn't drag me down. I just bought a house; how could I possibly have spare money to pay for your cancer treatment?"