Chapter 2

I walked into the bustling ballroom, but the celebration felt completely irrelevant to me. Liam stayed by Chloe’s side the entire time, his eyes glued to her. They occasionally exchanged smiles, their intimacy natural and easy.

Watching them, I couldn't help but remember my first encounter with Liam. Back then, the Evans family's financial status was far inferior to the Davis family’s. Liam’s late father had done a great favor for my father, and to repay that debt, my dad had promised my hand in marriage when we were children.

Young Liam had been fiercely devoted to me. Whatever I wanted, he’d try his best to get it, and he was always the first to stand up and protect me. Back then, he only had eyes for me. While I wouldn’t say I was deeply in love with him, I didn't dislike him either. I even once thought I might spend my life with him, settling down, getting married, having children, and living out my days.

But now, it was clear that his eyes held no place for me. Only Chloe.

Suddenly, the ballroom grew a little quieter. Liam pulled out an exquisite gift box and presented it to Chloe.

It was a dazzling sapphire necklace, sparkling brilliantly under the lights. The moment I saw it, I recognized it instantly—a limited-edition piece I had fallen in love with years ago. I had mentioned it to Liam several times, and he’d made a note of it, but it wasn't something money alone could buy, so the idea eventually faded.

I never thought he’d actually found it. But he was giving it to Chloe.

“Chloe, this is my gift to you. Do you like it?” Liam took the necklace and carefully fastened it around Chloe's neck.

Chloe blushed, lowering her head. “Liam, it’s too extravagant. I can’t accept it…”

“Please take it. I chose it especially for you. Only you deserve it.” Liam’s gaze was filled with a doting tenderness that had once been exclusively mine.

Guests around them cast envious glances. I watched the scene quietly, feeling no anger, no sadness, just a hollow numbness settled in my chest.

I slipped out of the ballroom, unnoticed. The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness, brushing my face and clearing my head. Footsteps sounded behind me—Liam was following.

Did he finally realize he’d crossed a line, here to apologize? I stopped, turned around, and waited for him to speak.

“Stella, come back inside with me. Don’t let the guests gossip. If word gets out that the Davis sisters are feuding, it won’t look good for Chloe’s reputation.”

So he wasn't chasing after *me*. He was just worried about how I might affect Chloe. Before I could say anything, Liam pulled a similar-looking necklace from his pocket. “Alright, stop sulking. I know you’re upset about the necklace I gave Chloe. Here, this is for you.”

My eyes were sharp; I instantly recognized it as a fake.

“I bought a bunch of replicas trying to find the real one. This one isn’t genuine, but it looks close enough. You can wear this one for now; I’ll tell everyone it’s real so you don’t lose face. Later, I’ll find you something better, okay?”

So, in his eyes, all I cared about was appearances, and a cheap fake could just shut me up.

Before I could react, Chloe’s voice called out from the ballroom. Hearing her, Liam quickly shoved the box into my hand, muttering, “Go back inside, stop making a scene,” then rushed back to Chloe’s side.

I looked down at the fake necklace in my hand, a strong wave of disgust washing over me. Without a second glance, I tossed it into a nearby trash can.