Chapter 2

My parents always played favorites with my sister Lily, and I suspected they wanted me to ditch Liam for her.

This time, I didn't send a photo of us together to the family group. Instead, I sent only Liam's picture and told a little lie.

"This is my best friend Ashley's new boyfriend. What do you guys think of him?"

But to my shock, their replies were exactly the same.

"How could Ashley date such a loser? Is she going through something lately?"

"Chloe, as her best friend, you need to talk some sense into her. Don't let her just date anyone."

"Chloe, you need to tell Ashley to break up with him! He's clearly punching above his weight!"

I was stunned. If last time they were just messing with me because they knew Liam was my boyfriend...

This time, they had no reason to trick me about Ashley.

Just as I was lost in thought, Mom's message popped up.

"Didn't you say you found a boyfriend? The holidays are coming. Bring him home."

Dad chimed in.

"Exactly! It's time our family of four became five. You're not getting any younger, after all."

"Chloe, when are you bringing Liam home? Don't you dare end up like Ashley."

My hand, holding the phone, started sweating cold.

I couldn't imagine the expressions on their faces if I actually brought Liam home.

Liam's tall frame enveloped me from behind as he buried his face in the crook of my neck, his tone a playful pout.

"Chloe, what did your family say? Are you taking me home to meet your parents for the holidays?"

I looked at his handsome profile, sunlight shining on him like he was an angel descended from heaven.

How could he possibly be the short, poor, and ugly guy my family was describing?

That height difference... that chiseled, sculptural face... the luxurious fabric of his clothes...

Every detail reminded me that Liam was the living definition of a 'dream guy.'

This time, I was cautious and didn't agree right away.

"Of course, I'll take you to meet my parents. But before that, can you do me a small favor?"

He chuckled softly and kissed my forehead.

"Anything, baby. You name it."

An idea sparked in my mind.

"Liam, would you mind taking a few photos with Ashley at the park later?"

Liam's face instantly fell, looking hurt.

"Chloe, are you trying to set your man up with someone else?"

I quickly reassured him, lying that I'd lost a dare, and it was just a request from Ashley.

"Just three photos in the park, then you're free to go. No touching or anything."

Liam looked at my pleading face and finally softened.

"Just this once."

I sighed in relief and called Ashley.

"Ashley, are you free? I just need you to take three photos with my boyfriend at the park."

But I didn't expect her to refuse so vehemently.

"Are you serious? You want me to take pictures with your short, ugly loser boyfriend? You'd be better off killing me!"

It was one thing for my family to fool me, but why was Ashley saying the same thing?

Ashley had seen Liam many times before. Why was she suddenly calling him short, poor, and ugly now?

"Chloe, I wanted to tell you to break up three years ago. But you were so deeply in love, I was afraid you'd do something stupid, so I kept quiet."

"You're such a love-struck fool. How can you treat that kind of trash like a treasure? The smell of him makes me want to puke, how have you endured it for three years?"

My heart leaped. Could it really be that love was blind for me?

Even what she called his 'old man smell' seemed like a pleasant fragrance to me, actually quite nice...