Chapter 2

Did you break up with your boyfriend? "

Recalling Liam's words, my heart ached. I forced a bitter smile and shook my head. "There was no boyfriend. Never was. I just made it up to avoid getting hounded about marriage. "

Though unsure if I was telling the truth, my parents were overjoyed. They immediately began preparing the immigration paperwork, urging me to pack. I hummed in agreement and went to my bedroom, throwing away everything related to Liam. Years of carefully preserved photo albums, all the jewelry, dresses, and handmade figurines he'd given me… Now, all of it went into the trash. "Miss Sterling, so many good things. You don't want any of it? " The housekeeper's voice held a touch of regret. I simply nodded, my voice flat. "No, I don't. " Not just these things, but this relationship, and Liam himself – I wanted none of it anymore. The next day, I was woken up by Liam's SnapChat messages. Dozens of them, asking when I was coming over. My heart felt bitter. Liam, do you even see how cruel you are? With trembling fingers, I typed out a reply: "Not feeling well today. Can't make it. "

A moment later, my parents knocked on my door. "Maya, even if you're upset with Liam, don't pick now to be difficult! Get dressed and go to his house. You have no idea how important this date is to Liam. He's liked Chloe Peterson for years, and as soon as he heard she was back in the country, he practically begged your father to set them up! "

"That's right," my mom chimed in. "Chloe took piano lessons from me for a while, and I personally went over to make this meeting happen. From gifts to dinner, everything is so formal! He's asking you to go just to liven things up. With a girl your age there, Chloe won't feel awkward. Liam is serious about this one, and you two are so close, how can you not help him? "

Liam, upon hearing I wouldn't come, had even called my parents! Listening to their earnest pleas, I could only swallow my tears, get ready, and head downstairs. The two families lived close by. Ten minutes later, I stood at the Hayes' front door and opened the shoe cabinet in the entryway. It was completely empty. My little bunny slippers weren't there. I searched high and low, finally finding them in the trash can outside the door. Besides the slippers, there was my water bottle, toothbrush, towel, pajamas… all my things. "Miss Sterling, these were all thrown out by the young master. Please use these shoe covers for now. "

I stared at the trash can, silent for a long moment. Because the Sterling and Hayes families had always been close, I used to drop by almost every day and often stayed overnight. Liam had even set aside a bedroom just for me and bought me all sorts of daily necessities, specifically picking out the little bunny designs I liked. He told me the Hayes' house was my home, and I shouldn't be a stranger. We’d kept secrets from our parents, embracing and kissing at the front door, intertwining our fingers under the dinner table, sharing intimate moments in his study. Now that Chloe was here, he was afraid his crush might misunderstand. So he'd thrown out everything connected to me. It took me a while to compose myself and put on the shoe covers. The moment I stepped inside, I saw Liam peeling fruit for Chloe. They were laughing and chatting happily. He sat on the sofa, dressed in a custom satin suit, his hair meticulously styled, wearing cologne. He exuded a forbidden allure, like a dark academic with a hidden edge. Back in school, I'd heard countless girls say how handsome he was, that he'd look good even in a sack. If he actually dressed up, no celebrity idol could compare. But Liam was naturally wild and carefree, usually just wearing a T-shirt and jeans, not bothering with dressing up. So, he *did* fluff his feathers for the person he liked? The man who had been tangled up with me in bed just yesterday now acted like he didn't even know me. He glanced at me once, then his gaze slid away, completely focused on Chloe. They talked about everything from hobbies to the weather, from work to jewelry brands, from childhood anecdotes to their school days. Watching Liam tirelessly find topics and chat animatedly, I lowered my eyes in self-mockery. So, he *did* take the initiative like this for the person he liked. "It's funny, in high school," Chloe laughed, recalling old times, "you were a year ahead of me, and we weren't even in the same building, but we'd often run into each other at school. It felt like destiny. "

I watched Liam's ears turn red, smiling silently. Destiny? No. Those "chance encounters" were all carefully orchestrated by Liam. Back then, I'd followed him, watching him pull out all the stops for his crush, my heart aching. Later, when Chloe moved abroad, I thought I'd finally gotten what I wished for. But now, it seemed Liam was the one getting his wish. Lost in thought, I suddenly heard my name. "I heard in high school that you had a very close childhood friend. That must be Maya, right? " I paused, looking up to meet Chloe's probing gaze. Before I could speak, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes chimed in cheerfully. "They're incredibly close! Inseparable since birth, practically grew up joined at the hip. We were even thinking of arranging an engagement between them…"

Mid-sentence, Liam's face darkened, and he abruptly cut them off. "Mom, Dad, stop talking nonsense. I would never fall for Maya Sterling, no matter who else I liked.