Chapter 2

When Liam opened the door and walked in, I had cried myself to sleep.

He didn't even notice my state. He pulled out his phone, fiddled with it for a moment, and said lazily, "I transferred twenty dollars to you."

My eyes were swollen and sore, and my mind was still hazy.

Then I heard him say casually, "Didn't you run out of your streaming service membership? Get one yourself. I gave my account to Chloe."

"Don't use such lame excuses to see me anymore. It's getting boring."

I wanted to argue, but the lump in my throat choked my words.

Liam stared at my red eyes, his gaze darkening slightly. "Crying?"

He leaned closer, his warm breath fanning my face. The atmosphere became strangely unsettling.

In that instant, all I could think about was how good he'd been to me for three years.

In college, he was known as a playboy, but I was the only girlfriend he ever officially acknowledged.

Though we'd broken up and gotten back together many times, he was never stingy with me and kept his distance from other women when we were together.

His looks and family background were impeccable.

Thinking of this, I was about to tentatively say, "Actually, I'm not completely against marriage."

"It was you who found the responsibility too much pressure, so I went along with you about not getting married."

Before the words could fully escape, a blinding flash of light hit my eyes.

Liam's beautiful, upturned eyes narrowed slightly, full of mockery. "First time I've seen you cry like this. Let me take a picture for old times' sake."

He put away his phone, satisfied, and looked down at me, his voice laced with scorn. "Seriously, Stella. You didn't shed a single tear when I broke my arm saving you in that car accident."

"So what are you crying for now?"

Before I could answer, Liam reached out and, as he used to, habitually flicked my nose. "Don't try to be like Chloe."

"When she cries, it's elegant. You just look ridiculous."

"Go practice some more."

Looking at his arrogant and infuriating expression.

I took a deep breath, swung my arm, and gave him a hard slap.

Then, without another glance at him, I turned and slammed the door shut.

Out of the hotel, I blocked him on all my social media and bought the earliest flight home.

This Oceanview City, with Liam in it, was a place I never wanted to step foot in again.