Chapter 3

A screech of brakes ripped through the air.

Chloe looked at me, her eyes wide with shock.

"So the reason your wedding was canceled was because Liam ran out?!"

I lowered my gaze.

Yes.

After confirming Liam had run out, I fainted and was rushed to the hospital.

Our home was in chaos. Finally, Dad settled on a plan.

The reception proceeded as planned, using Liam's 'sudden mission' as an excuse to cancel the actual wedding ceremony.

Everyone thought it was just a minor hiccup due to Liam's unusual profession.

No one knew Liam had truly vanished from the venue.

The moment I opened my eyes and saw the hospital ceiling, I ripped out my IV, desperate to confront Liam for an explanation.

Dad had someone lock me back in my hospital room.

He looked at me, only able to sigh.

"No one can reach Liam, not even the department says he's taken extended leave."

"You get some rest. I swear I'll drag that jerk out of hiding."

But by the time I was discharged, no one had seen Liam again.

I locked myself in my room, squatting on the floor.

My phone, glowing beside my feet, was filled with countless unsent texts I'd drafted for Liam.

The tone shifting from demanding answers to desperate pleas.

Begging him for a reason.

Begging him to just let me know he was safe.

The man who once responded to every single word I said never replied to a single message.

I felt the heat of burning photographs before me.

Liam's face was slowly consumed by the flames.

It wasn't until they were almost ashes that I snapped out of it.

I only managed to salvage one photo, barely recognizable as Liam.

The acrid-smelling remnants were soaked with my tears, turning into a wet, clumpy mess.

I gasped for air, frantically trying to calm myself down.

In over twenty years, I had never once imagined Liam would willingly walk out of my life.

During our wedding rehearsal, his eyes were only for me.

Liam held me close.

He said marrying me was his greatest dream, his biggest wish in life.

Afterward, we walked hand-in-hand down the street, dreaming of all the wonderful things our married life would hold.

We had so many memorable moments together.

Why did he suddenly act as if seeing me was repulsive?

Controlling my trembling body, I went to Liam's house.

The real estate agent was showing Liam's house to someone; seeing me, his expression grew strange.

"Ms. Avery, you can't go in."

I stared at him blankly, tears silently tracing paths down my cheeks.

"You can reach Liam, right?"

"Tell him I'll be waiting here for him."

At that moment, I would have rather Liam showed up with another woman, claiming he'd fallen for someone else, than endure this abrupt, unexplained ending.

A month passed, and I was still there, waiting outside his house every day.

Suddenly, Mrs. Peterson from next door rushed over, frantic.

"Avery, why are you still here?!"

"Your dad's in trouble! He got a call and just collapsed! Go, quickly!"

My head buzzed. As I started to move, my phone suddenly rang.

An unknown number, but Liam's familiar voice came through.

"Avery, don't be so pathetic."

"I don't want you anymore, why are you still clinging on? You're acting so desperate, it's embarrassing."

"If you don't stop harassing me, your family will be completely ruined and forced out of this city."

"I always keep my promises."