Chapter 2

Before, I might have thrown a fit, demanding Liam kick her out so I could sit in the passenger seat.

Or I would've just walked away, muttering a string of curses.

But this time, I just closed the door and slid into the car.

"Chloe, you look so much more mature. You're different."

I hummed in response, looking out at the traffic, trying to control the turmoil inside me with each breath.

"How long are you staying this time? If you have a moment, come over to our house. My parents miss you."

Liam met my gaze in the rearview mirror, his eyes shrouded in a mist I couldn't decipher.

When I was ten, my parents died in an accident at the Thompson family's construction site.

The incident caused a huge scandal and severely damaged their reputation.

The Thompson family took me in.

Because of that, I was considered half a daughter to them.

Sophia turned to me. "She's right, come home with us. They were just talking about you yesterday..."

Her words dripped with the air of a woman who owned the place.

I frowned, cutting off her incessant chatter.

"I don't have a home."

Liam glanced at me, his eyes dimming.

Sophia, sensing the mood, wisely shut her mouth.

After giving the hotel address, I closed my eyes and didn't speak again.

When we arrived at the hotel, I got out without a word, slamming the door shut.

Liam rolled down his window and called out to my retreating back, "Come back and visit sometime."

I sped up, not looking back.

My colleague in the shared room was already asleep. I showered quietly and slipped into bed.

"You're back? The boss said tomorrow night we're meeting a big client, and he told me to tell you to dress nicely."

My colleague mumbled a few words in her sleep-addled state before starting to snore again.

But I never imagined the "big client" my boss mentioned would be Liam.

"Oh my god, he's so hot! I heard he's the only heir to New York's wealthiest family, and he expanded half of the Thompson family's business empire. And the best part? He's single."

Single...

He and Sophia hadn't remarried?

The quiet squeals of my female colleagues filled the air.

I remembered the first time I saw Liam when I was ten. My heart had let out the same kind of squeal.

He was twenty-three then, just back from studying abroad.

His white shirt only emphasized his sharp features and fair complexion.

Unfortunately, he was arguing with his parents at the time, all because of his poor girlfriend.

"I told you, I'll only marry her in this life!"

Liam grabbed a crystal glass and smashed it. Flying shards cut my calf.

I bit my lip, holding back tears.

The nanny beside me, horrified, quickly hugged me and took me to get bandaged, fearing New York media would capture it and accuse the Thompson family of abuse.

Later, Liam came to apologize.

"Hey, sorry I scared you earlier."

He pressed a chocolate into my hand.

The chocolate was sweet, and it melted into my heart.

From then on, I became Liam's little shadow, following him wherever he went.

Naturally, I became his convenient alibi whenever he went on dates with Sophia.

Back then, I was happy to do it.

Later, when I wasn't, it nearly cost me half my life.

"Chloe! Chloe!"

"The boss is calling you!"

A sharp jab to my elbow jolted me awake. I looked up and met Liam's dark eyes.