Chapter 1

Liam and I grew up together in the same orphanage.

On my tenth birthday, I made a wish: to marry Liam when I grew up.

But then, a group of older kids started bullying me. Liam shielded me, yelling for me to run.

I ran from the orphanage like crazy. And then, I time-traveled ten years into the future.

The orphanage was now a ruin. A man stood in front of the wreckage.

I recognized him as Liam at first glance.

But the woman he was embracing wasn't me.

Liam glanced at me, then said to the woman beside him:

"Damn it, Stella, that kid looks exactly like Mia."

Stella, the woman he'd called out, squatted down, scrutinizing me with a gentle smile:

"She certainly does. It's been ten years since you two split. If Mia remarried and had a child, they'd be about this age."

"If that messy incident hadn't happened back then, our child would be taller than her now, wouldn't they?"

She measured my height with her hand again, her eyes suddenly welling up.

Liam seemed momentarily stunned, resting his chin on her head, his voice soft:

"It's okay. It's all in the past."

His gaze fell back on my face, and he couldn't help but ask:

"Is your mom named Mia?"

He frowned, a hint of barely concealed disgust in his tone:

"So dirty. Exactly like she was when she was little."

Liam had changed. He seemed to really dislike me.

My hand, clutching the hem of my clothes, tightened. I nodded gently:

"Yeah, I'm lost."

Liam didn't waste words. He pulled out his phone and tapped a couple of times:

"Mike, find Mia's address for me."

After a long moment, a reply came through.

He hung up, walked to his Maybach, and opened the door:

"Get in. I'll take you home."

His tone was flat, devoid of emotion.

I slipped into the car gingerly, pulling a crumpled tissue from my pocket.

I padded it under my butt before I dared to sit down lightly.

"You actually have more manners than your mother."

Liam glanced at me. I couldn't tell if it was mockery or an observation.

Stella in the passenger seat leaned against the seat and nudged his arm:

"Why are you arguing with a kid, Liam? She's so well-behaved."

Liam caught her restless hand and kissed it openly, as if no one else was there.

I quickly lowered my head, feeling awkward.

The Liam from my childhood said he'd be with me forever. It was a lie.

My nose stung with a pang of sadness, and my stomach rumbled unruly.

It was exceptionally loud in the quiet car, and my face flushed.

Stella smiled, handing me a beautifully wrapped cream cake:

"Hungry, aren't you? Have this to tide you over."

I shook my head, my voice faint:

"No thanks. Could you please stop the car? I want to buy a couple of pastries."

I added:

"I'll pay for them myself. It won't take long."

The car slowly decelerated, stopping in front of a bakery.

Liam got out with me.

"One savory pastry, one plain roll."

I reached into my pocket for money, but Liam was faster.

He tapped his phone to pay, and the person behind the counter immediately handed me the pastries.

I was startled:

"It's so advanced!"

A rare smile touched Liam's eyes:

"What, does your mom usually raise you like a cave dweller?"

"Then again, she was so clumsy. At your age, she couldn't even tie her shoelaces, let alone raise a child this old."

As he spoke, his lips involuntarily curved upwards.

But soon, the warmth faded from his face, replaced by cold indifference:

"Eat quickly. I don't have time to waste with you."

"Mhm."

I took a bite of the savory pastry, and instinctively offered Liam a flattened piece of the plain roll.

At the orphanage, we used to flatten the rolls, making them bigger, as if that would fill our stomachs more.

Liam's gaze fixed on my actions, his pupils constricting.

I realized what I'd done, my face flushed crimson, and I awkwardly pulled my hand back.

I quickly finished the pastry and got back into the car.

I instinctively took out a tissue and folded it under me. When I looked up, I met Liam's gaze. He said nothing.

The car started, eventually stopping in front of a kids' clothing store.

"Try this one."

He took down a white tulle dress, adorned with delicate pearls.

When I put it on, the sales assistant couldn't help but compliment:

"Sir, your daughter looks beautiful in this, like a little angel."

"Yeah, just like her mother."

He didn't correct her, a faint smile gracing his lips.

Stella's face stiffened, and the warmth in her eyes lessened as she looked at me. She reminded him:

"Liam, let's not waste time. Mia will be worried if she can't find her daughter."

Liam nodded and strode back to the car.

The car drove for almost an hour, eventually stopping in front of an old, dilapidated apartment complex.

The paint was peeling from the walls, and clutter was piled in the stairwell.

Liam frowned but said nothing.

He led me up to the sixth floor and raised his hand to knock.

I felt a flicker of excitement. What would my grown-up self be like?

But an old lady opened the door.

When she heard we were looking for Mia, she tilted her head in thought for a moment before suddenly tapping her forehead:

"Oh, you mean her? She died ten years ago."