Chapter 2

Chloe stumbled, falling to the ground. Her palm scraped against glass shards.

The people in the private room panicked, rushing to kick me out.

Caught off guard, I fell too, my own palm getting cut by the glass.

I watched as Liam immediately rushed to Chloe's side, scooping her up and placing her gently on the couch.

His face was etched with pain. "Don't be scared, I'm here."

It was clear he cared about her deeply.

Just like he used to care about me.

Everyone else was fussing over her, showering her with concern.

And I? I was the punchline of their cruel joke.

Only after Chloe's wound was tended to did they turn their venomous gazes on me.

I didn't care about their insults or their disgust.

I clenched my bleeding palm, looking up at Liam. "My dad's case has new developments. Help him with the lawsuit."

Liam wasn't just a brilliant businessman; he was an exceptional lawyer too.

Every case he'd ever handled, he'd won.

If he just agreed to help, my dad would be cleared.

Liam looked at me, a mocking glint in his eyes.

"Elara, do you really think I'm still that poor kid who'd do anything for you?"

My face went white, my heart freezing in my chest.

He refused.

But I couldn't give up.

Chloe peered out from his embrace, her voice soft and fragile. "Liam, you don't have to be mad at Elara just because I got hurt. I know she hates me, she hates that I was always by your side after you two broke up."

"But Liam, my heart broke for you too. You were so desperate back then, and I just wanted to stay with you, even if you never loved me, I wouldn't have left."

Liam reached up, gently wiping away her tears, soothing her. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Seeing Chloe crying because I'd supposedly bullied her, his friends quickly jumped to her defense.

"It's just a lawsuit, right? All you have to do is get on your knees and apologize to Chloe, and everything will be fine. Right, Liam?"

After a few silent seconds, Liam spoke, his voice slow and deliberate.

"Elara, apologize."

I squeezed my fists tight, then let out a soft laugh.

"Fine. I'll apologize to her."

With that, I knelt directly in front of Chloe.

"Chloe, I'm sorry."

Then I glared at Liam. "Are you satisfied now?"

Turns out, they weren't.

Liam's friend said I'd ruined the party atmosphere and "punished" me by making me drink a whole bottle of liquor.

"I'm sick, I can't drink alcohol."

As soon as I said it, his friends burst into laughter.

"A stripper, saying she can't drink? That's hilarious!"

Finally, Liam spoke.

"Elara, drink this bottle, and I'll help your dad with the lawsuit."

I looked at him calmly. "I'm not lying. I really am sick. This bottle could kill me."

He seemed furious, his smile chillingly cold.

"Do you still think you're that delicate, privileged girl you once were? A little alcohol is going to kill you?"

He forced me to chug that whole bottle.

Then, dragging my aching body, I hailed a taxi home.

I was scared I wouldn't make it through the night.

So, while my mind was still clear, I had to do something.

After closing the notebook in my hands, I shakily pulled out my phone and sent a message.

If I was still alive tomorrow, I could finally leave this place.