Chapter 2

"Chloe? Shouldn't you be in class right now?"

As I burst through the door, my mom was sitting in the backyard, leisurely sipping coffee. She looked surprised to see me.

My eyes welled up, and I rushed to hug her tightly.

In my past life, their life's work was destroyed, and they were forced out of Westlake by Liam, a boy they had watched grow up. Before I died, I didn't even get to see them one last time.

"You're so grown up and still clinging to your mom. What will you do when you get married?"

My mom's gentle, complaining voice drifted down from above.

But that word, "married," sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

I hugged her even tighter.

"I'm not getting married. I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here with you and Dad, looking after the family business, and being a carefree heiress with no ambition beyond enjoying my family's wealth..."

Mom feigned helplessness but her smile deepened. "Oh, is that so? I suppose we're stuck with our little moocher for life, then."

After a night of trying to compose myself, I went back to school normally the next day.

Our driver, Mr. Clark, dropped me off at the school gate.

As I got out, I caught a glimpse of Liam and Maya standing at the intersection nearby, laughing and talking.

That was our usual meeting spot; they were waiting for me.

Fearing they would spot me, I quickly buried my head, clutched my backpack, and hurried into school.

The school path, the three of us walking together. My eyes were on Liam, but Liam's eyes were always on Maya.

This unspoken crush, it should have ended long ago.

But in my naive youth, I always secretly rejoiced that I could steal another glance at Liam on this path.

After school, I dawdled, slowly making my way out. Liam and Maya were waiting at the school gate.

There was no escaping them, so I had no choice but to push through.

Maya didn't ask about me running away the day before; she still linked her arm through mine, as affectionate as ever.

"Chloe! We waited for you so long at the intersection today, why didn't you come?"

I tried my best to resist, but couldn't. I subtly pulled my arm away from hers.

Maya's expression froze for a second, but she quickly recovered, her smile unwavering.

"It's my birthday today, Chloe. Aren't you going to celebrate with me?"

My heart suddenly trembled.

In my past life, it was on Maya's birthday night that she got drunk, and with teary eyes, we confided in each other. She unintentionally told me about being abused by her stepfather when she was young.

This time, how could I dare to listen to her secrets?

I avoided looking at Liam, who stood beside her, and stammered, looking down.

"I... I have something at home. I can't go. Happy birthday."

Then, without waiting for Maya's eyes to instantly redden, I turned and walked away quickly.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed behind me.

"Chloe Davies."

It was Liam.

My heart seized up, and I hurried even faster, head still down.

Liam caught up to me in a few strides, blocking my path entirely, his shadow instantly falling over me.

"Why are you running?"

Finally, for the first time, I lifted my head to look at the just-turned-eighteen Liam.

He was wearing the familiar school uniform, his face sharp and chiseled, but the deep, distant look in his eyes, unbefitting his age, was identical to the Liam of my past life.

Suddenly, I realized that the eighteen-year-old Liam wouldn't look at me like that.

I was startled, instinctively stepping back a few paces, almost losing my balance.

But the Liam before me stepped closer, his shadow following mine.

"Chloe, you seem... afraid of me?"