Chapter 2

She covered her mouth, her voice overly dramatic.

“Oh my god, you’re so manipulative!”

“I barely touched you, and you actually hit your head against the wall just to frame me!”

Hearing that, Liam’s gaze turned even more impatient.

“Scarlett, that’s too far.”

I bit my lip, trying to clear my head.

“I have severe asthma. If you don’t want a death on your hands, stop this now.”

My throat burned, every inhale felt like drawing in broken glass.

Chloe, however, dangled the inhaler in front of my face, showing it off, then dramatically took a huge puff.

“Can’t give it to you, my throat’s dry.”

“And I gotta say, you get what you pay for, this thing feels great.”

I struggled to lift my hand, trying to snatch it.

She laughed, easily raising her hand to dodge me.

“Nope, not giving it to you.”

Furious, my vision blurred again.

Liam stood there, arms crossed, watching.

“Look at you, begging like that. Chloe’s just using it for a bit, don’t be so petty.”

“Chloe even saw your medical report; you don’t have asthma. You just get a little short of breath sometimes.”

I forced myself to stay calm.

“Liam, you’ve seen me have an attack before, why would I lie to you?”

Before Liam could answer, Chloe interjected.

“To get attention, obviously. In this day and age, there are always those attention-seekers faking illnesses.”

“Heh heh, Scarlett, are you like those online princesses who also claim to have depression?”

At her words, Liam’s friends erupted into even louder laughter.

Some of them whistled.

“Liam, your girlfriend is so uptight, she’s not half as cool as Chloe.”

“Yeah, you’re gonna have your hands full when you get married.”

I was gasping for air, using my last bit of strength to reach for the inhaler in Chloe’s hand.

But just as my fingertips brushed it, she quickly pulled her hand back.

I lost my balance and tumbled onto the carpet.

“Oh my, she’s really selling the act!” Chloe exclaimed dramatically.

Then she crouched down, whispering in a voice only I could hear.

“Hehe, hurry up and die. You dying will make things perfect for me and Liam.”

She stood up, deliberately raising her voice.

“Scarlett, stop messing around, get up! Everyone’s waiting for you and Liam to take a toast together.”

Liam felt a flicker of concern.

He stepped forward and helped me up.

“What’s wrong with you? Are you really not feeling well?”

“Help… me…”

I struggled to get the words out.

My hand tightened around Liam’s wrist, only broken gasps escaping my throat.

“In… inhaler…”

Liam’s brows furrowed, and a hint of panic and struggle finally appeared in his eyes.

He looked at Chloe. “Chloe, maybe just give it to her.”

Chloe’s face instantly dropped.

She stubbornly hid the inhaler behind her back, stamping her foot in frustration.

“Liam, are you blind? She’s totally faking it! Have you forgotten how she used to throw her little tantrums?”

Then, she suddenly turned to the others and yelled.

“See? These drama queens always put on an act, and Liam totally falls for it!”

The guys around them immediately chimed in.

“Liam, Chloe and us grew up together, would she really try to hurt you?”

“These princesses, they just love to cause trouble, you can’t spoil her.”

Liam’s expression changed.

His hand, which was holding me, loosened a little.

I could feel him wavering.

On one side was my agonizing pain, on the other, Chloe and his friends’ manipulation.

“But… her face looks really pale…”