Chapter 2

After an invigorating workout with my friends, we sat in the lounge area, grabbing some water.

My friends half-jokingly complained, "We thought you'd forgotten us now that you have a boyfriend. We were almost too scared to ask you out."

I quickly apologized and promised, "I'm so sorry! It won't happen again. Call me for anything you guys do!"

"That's more like it! Come on, let's go chill at a coffee shop and catch up."

When I was with Liam, I always tried to fit into his circle, but without realizing it, I drifted away from my own friends.

Every day revolved around him, putting him first in everything. Looking back, I realized how foolish I'd been.

It was almost midnight by the time I got home. Pushing open the bedroom door, I saw Liam sitting on the bed.

He frowned and said, "Chloe, why are you home so late? I had to order takeout for lunch and dinner. It was disgusting."

I opened my closet to get some fresh clothes. "I ate out today too. The food was pretty good, not worse than homemade."

Liam's eyes widened in surprise. "Didn't you used to say you'd cook for me every day and not let me eat takeout because it's unhealthy?"

"I was wrong. Living in this day and age, if you can't cook, you have to get used to the taste of takeout."

A flicker of anger crossed Liam's eyes. "You still say you're not angry! You were out all day, not a single call, not a single text, and you didn't come back to cook!"

I calmly said, "I'm really not angry. I was just catching up with friends, and my phone died."

Seeing my composure, Liam abruptly threw off the covers, stormed out of bed, and grabbed me as I was about to leave, his voice rising.

"Can you stop being so petty? I told you, we're just like brother and sister! What exactly are you trying to start? Chloe, my patience has its limits!"

I pulled my hand free. "I'm not starting anything. I'm tired. I'll sleep in the guest room tonight."

With that, I took my clothes and went to the bathroom, ignoring Liam's shouts behind me.

That night, I had a rare, full night's sleep.

Liam was a restless sleeper and always kicked off the covers. When I used to sleep with him, I'd wake up several times in the middle of the night to cover him.

The next morning, Liam sat in the living room, arms crossed, a dark look on his face.

I knew he was waiting for me to apologize, to sweet-talk him into a good mood.

Before, whenever he was upset, regardless of whether it was my fault, I would humble myself and beg for his forgiveness.

Then he would demand a list of things, and only after I complied with each one would he grudgingly forgive me.

For years, it had always been this pattern. I was tired of it.

I ignored him, washed up, and left. I had something important to do today.