Chapter 3

Pushing open the door, the house was silent.

I groped my way into the bathroom in the dark. The person in the mirror was disheveled and pathetic.

The bruise on my side was swollen and purple, and the slightest movement sent a sharp, stabbing pain through me.

I found the first-aid kit, and trembling, I pressed an iodine swab to my knee.

The keypad lock clicked open at the entrance.

Followed by Liam's deliberately lowered, gentle voice:

"Watch your step. You can sleep here tonight. I'll find someone to fix the leak in your dorm tomorrow once the rain stops."

"But, Alice will be angry if she sees me..."

Chloe's voice was timid.

"What right does she have to be angry?"

Liam sneered.

"There's no way I'd let you stay alone in an apartment with no power."

The overhead living room light flared on, filling the room with blinding white light.

Liam walked in, one arm around Chloe, the other carrying her duffel bag.

He turned his head and saw me, slumped on the bathroom floor.

The curve of his lips instantly vanished. His gaze swept over the bloody swab, his eyes filled with disgust.

"Alice Linwood, what kind of stunt is this now?"

He walked over, towering above me.

"I wondered why you hung up so fast. Turns out you were cooking up some grand scheme at home."

"You dabbed on some antiseptic, made a huge mess, and you think that's going to make me feel sorry for you?"

Antiseptic.

The heavy rain outside had washed away the blood on my body.

Seeing my silence, Liam grabbed my arm and forcefully pulled me up.

His hand clamped down hard on my bruised side.

A jolt of excruciating pain shot through my brain. My legs gave out, and I collapsed back onto the floor.

"Ah!"

Chloe flinched back in fear.

Liam abruptly let go, as if touching me for another second would contaminate him.

"Alice Linwood, haven't you made enough of a scene?!"

"Chloe's been startled and got wet from the rain. Do you have to give her grief right now?"

I was covered in cold sweat, trembling from the pain.

He clearly saw that I was drenched.

But he only felt pity for Chloe getting wet.

"I'm not making a scene."

Clutching the doorframe, I shakily pulled myself up, my voice hoarse.

"I just accidentally fell."

Liam paused for a moment.

Perhaps my lifeless gaze made him uneasy.

"Good. Go change the sheets in the master bedroom. Chloe has a fever; she'll sleep in there tonight. You can sleep in the guest room."

That sentence, like a dull knife, severed our last remaining connection.

The master bedroom contained the bed I'd chosen, the custom-embroidered pillows with my name, all my personal belongings.

Now, he wanted me to give it to another woman.

"That's my room."

I looked at him.

"This is my apartment!"

Liam pointed to the front door. "If you feel so wronged, then get out now! Don't stand there bothering me!"

Chloe tugged at his sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears. "Liam, I can just sleep on the couch..."

"Don't mind her. She just doesn't know her place!"

Liam squeezed her hand reassuringly.

A sweet, metallic taste filled my throat.

I didn't cry, nor did I argue.

I turned, dragging my aching leg, and walked into the master bedroom.

From behind me, Liam let out a cold snort:

"See? If you'd just listened earlier, you wouldn't have to make such a fuss."

I pulled out the black suitcase from under the bed.

I didn't change the sheets, didn't tidy the room.

I only took my documents, a change of clothes, and my work laptop.

Seven years of my youth, it weighed so little.

A small suitcase couldn't even fill it.

When I walked out dragging the suitcase, Liam was pouring Chloe a glass of water.

Seeing the suitcase, his pupils contracted sharply, then he let out a sneering laugh.

"What? Can't sleep in the master, so you're playing the runaway game?"

He walked towards me, blocking my path.

"Alice Linwood, you tried that three years ago. Do you think I'll chase after you and beg you to come back?"

He pointed to the stormy rain outside.

"If you've got the guts, then get out today."

"If you step foot out that door, even if you beg on your knees, I won't let you step foot in this apartment again!"

My fingers gripping the handle were white, and my legs were so sore I could barely stand.

"Okay."

Without a second's hesitation, I walked past him and pulled open the front door.