Chapter 5

Audrey POV

I'd seen this kind of sweet scene plenty of times at home.

I went back to my room, hoping to pick up where I left off sleeping.

But the room's soundproofing was terrible, and I could hear everything next door clearly.

Skylar's whining voice was as if she were right next to my ear.

"Liam, I'm fine. It doesn't hurt anymore. Will you kiss me?"

"I just had a skin treatment a few days ago. Will you hold me?"

Skylar tried every trick to keep Liam there, but the man remained silent.

I decided to leave my room and go to the study, which was the farthest away, to rest.

As soon as I stepped out, a quick glance showed Liam kissing Skylar's lips, his eyes seemingly sincere and passionate.

"Skylar, whatever you want, I'll unconditionally stand by you and protect you from any harm, always."

Liam's gaze was more serious than I had ever seen.

As solemn as if he were reciting wedding vows.

I left without looking back. I should have stopped expecting anything else long ago.

The next day, I was in my room sorting through my belongings.

I was getting married and leaving this house in a little over ten days.

When Mom was well, this was home. Now, I just wanted to escape this place.

I inventoried what I had left. Part of the wedding fund Mom had prepared for me had already been spent on her medical treatment.

From my dwindling wedding fund, I found a diamond necklace.

Mom had worn it on her wedding day.

She gave it to me when she found out Liam and I were dating.

Mom still remembered.

"Audrey, wear it on your wedding day for a lifetime of happiness."

Before I could pull my distant thoughts back, the necklace in my hand was snatched away.

"You actually hid things from me? Don't you know the company is facing a financial crisis, and we can barely afford to eat? How dare you buy jewelry?"

I instinctively tried to snatch it back, but the necklace was too delicate, and I was worried Skylar's agitated state would break it.

I calmed down.

"Give it back to me."

Skylar became even more emboldened, "What's yours is the Bennett family's, and I have a share in the Bennett family's things."

She held it in her hand, looking it over and over. I silently prayed Skylar wouldn't take a liking to it.

After a few glances, Skylar found it uninteresting. "What an old-fashioned thing, why do you treasure it so much? Clearly, you've never seen anything good. Liam just brought me back a ruby from the auction house a few days ago. Why would I care about a broken necklace?"

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as I was about to take it back, watching intently,

Skylar's hand suddenly slipped, and the necklace fell directly to the floor.

The diamond necklace, which had been perfectly fine moments ago, shattered into pieces, diamonds scattered everywhere.

I froze for a moment, then immediately knelt, trying to pick up the diamonds with my hands.

Some sharp fragments cut my hand, but I didn't even feel it.

I kept murmuring.

"Mom left this for me."

Skylar stood by, making sarcastic remarks. "It's just a necklace? Is it that big a deal? You're so petty!"

Hearing that, I felt like I was going crazy.

"This is different! You have everything now, why do you still have to take my things?"

My voice was trembling uncontrollably.

"I've already agreed to marry that Hayes family man in your place, why won't you leave me alone! Once I'm gone, Liam will be all yours, why couldn't you just wait a little longer!"

My anguished shouts were met only with Skylar covering her ears, annoyed by the noise.

The commotion in the room drew Liam in. He entered, immediately checking Skylar from head to toe, then asked with concern.

"She didn't hurt you, did she? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Skylar shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes out of nowhere.

Liam looked heartbroken. The moment he turned towards me, it was as if he was a different person.

"If you have grievances, take them out on me! Why do you always take it out on Skylar? You only dare to bully her when I'm not around."

My throat felt like it was on fire, and I didn't want to see these two who betrayed me acting so affectionate in front of me again.

I pointed towards the door.

"Both of you, get out!"

Liam scanned me from head to toe with a look of disgust, then pulled Skylar and walked out the door.