Chapter 3

Back in high school, when I innocently started to realize my feelings for Liam had grown beyond friendship, I told Chloe everything, without reservation.

Chloe froze for a second, then her face contorted with pure disdain.

"Alice, why would you ever like him?"

"He's completely beneath you."

After that, Chloe couldn't stand Liam even more, and they practically fell into a silent standoff.

The day Liam and I officially became a couple, Chloe got into a fight with him.

Her eyes were red from crying, but she refused to say anything.

Later, Liam went to military academy, and Chloe went to medical school.

They both joined the military, and Chloe became the squad's medic.

Because my body couldn't adapt to the rigorous military environment.

Chloe held my hand and said, "Alice, don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on Liam for you."

Then, when Liam proposed to me, Chloe cried uncontrollably at our wedding.

She grabbed Liam's collar, her voice choked but fierce.

"Liam, if you ever dare to treat Alice badly, I'll come after you first."

Liam, uncharacteristically, didn't talk back. He just looked at her trembling lips, his eyes red, and whispered, "Okay."

From then on, Liam's attitude towards her subtly shifted.

When Chloe snapped at him, most of the time he just listened.

Sometimes he would even indulge her whims, saying, "You're always right."

The day I found out I was pregnant, Chloe cried again.

That night, she drank a lot of wine, crying as she drank.

She said, "Alice, I'm so happy for you. You're going to be a mom..."

"I probably won't ever get married in this life. From now on, your child will be my child."

"Alice... I really envy you..."

She was incoherent, but I just thought she was drunk.

Later, Liam walked her home.

He was gone for a long time.

When he returned, his eyes were red-rimmed, and his lip was busted. He said it was too dark downstairs, and he accidentally ran into a wall.

And Chloe was never one to cry easily.

But it seemed that whenever it involved Liam and me, her tears flowed effortlessly.

Once I asked her, "Chloe, all these years, have you really never liked anyone?"

She suddenly looked up, quickly glanced at Liam, and smiled.

"Yes, I have. I recently started liking a younger guy. I'll bring him to meet you sometime."

As soon as Chloe said that, the glass in Liam's hand clattered to the floor.

And that younger guy? I never saw him again.

So, everything, everything had been there all along.

I just never saw, or didn't want to see.

Now, they knelt by my bedside, heartbroken beyond words.

I looked at their two faces, drenched in tears, etched with pain.

And suddenly, even breathing felt cold.

Finally, I simply closed my eyes and said,

"I'm tired."