Chapter 3

The next second, Liam's expression softened. He reached out to ruffle my hair, just as he always had.

"Chloe, are you feeling unwell? Why are you hiding from Maya and me?"

"It's Maya's birthday today. She'll be really sad if you don't come. How about we go celebrate with her, okay?"

Liam was smiling, but I detected a hint of suspicion.

It made sense; since yesterday, I had been acting completely out of character, avoiding them whenever possible, and not showing Liam the same eagerness as in my past life.

If... Liam wasn't the eighteen-year-old Liam, he would definitely suspect if I was truly the seventeen-year-old Chloe.

After three years of marriage, my feelings for Liam had long vanished, replaced by all the mental torment.

Now, I both hated and feared Liam.

"I... I..."

I managed a strained smile, but Liam had already spoken first, addressing Mr. Clark, who was waiting by the road to pick me up: "Mr. Clark, it's a friend's birthday today. I'll take Chloe to celebrate for a bit and then bring her home."

Mr. Clark, aware of the Davies and Hayes families' close ties, smiled and nodded before driving off.

I could only follow silently behind them.

In the past, when the three of us were together, I mostly watched Liam and Maya talk and laugh with perfect synchronicity, my heart aching.

But now, I simply watched them, my emotions flat.

I was even calculating what excuse I could use to leave midway.