Chapter 5

On my birthday, they tried to cheer me up.

They took me to that old restaurant, my favorite childhood spot.

They ordered a table full of my favorite dishes.

Liam sat beside me, blowing on a spoonful of soup to cool it for me, his actions still meticulously gentle.

Chloe took two sips, then her face suddenly paled. She clapped a hand over her mouth, shot up, and rushed out.

Liam practically sprang to his feet on instinct.

A clear, undeniable panic flashed across his face.

His steps were already directed towards the door, but then he stopped halfway.

As if remembering something, he turned to look at me.

"Alice," his voice was a little dry, "I'll go check on Chloe. You eat first."

In the past, I would have rushed to check on Chloe myself.

But this time, I didn't even look up, just gave a faint nod.

My gaze settled on the bowl of chicken soup Chloe had been drinking.

He immediately turned and walked out quickly.

I sat quietly for a moment, then got up and followed him out.

From the old restaurant's back garden, I heard Chloe's trembling voice.

"Liam, I... I think... I'm pregnant..."

"What do I do..."

"How can I be pregnant with your child? You're Alice's husband, and I'm Alice's best friend..."

Liam reached out, gripping Chloe's arm tightly, his voice low and strained.

"Chloe, look at me. None of this is your fault."

"It's all my fault."

"If I hadn't been afraid of hurting Alice, if I hadn't accepted her confession back then, none of this would have happened."

"Chloe, not being able to marry you is already the biggest regret of my life. Now you're carrying my child..."

"Let's keep the baby."

"But... Alice just lost her baby..." Chloe's voice broke into a desperate sob.

"How can I..."

"No, I can't keep this baby!"

Her voice suddenly became frantic and despairing.

"Liam, I've thought a lot these past few days."

"You and Alice are married. There's no possibility for you and me anymore."

"You're right, Alice needs you more than I do... I'm going to apply for a transfer with my superiors."

"From now on... let's not see each other again."

"Please, be good to Alice."

"No, Chloe," Liam's voice held an undeniable pain and resolve. "I can't lose you again, and I certainly can't lose our child."

Watching their entangled figures.

Listening to this agonizing conversation.

How absurd.

I suddenly felt like I was the villain, the shadow who had stolen someone else's happiness.

My heart felt like it was clenched by an icy hand, then suddenly released.

Leaving only a numb void.

All the pain seemed to peak at that moment, then strangely subsided into a dead calm.

I stepped out from behind the pillar.

My footsteps startled them.

They quickly pulled apart.

I didn't look at Chloe, just walked step by step towards them.