Chapter 3

I still didn't believe it. I took a deep breath and decided to bribe Ashley.

"If you agree this time, I'll get you the new LV bag that just came out."

"Deal. But don't ask me again."

After Ashley hung up, the more I thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.

Even with a beauty filter, the difference couldn't be this drastic.

Three days later, the photos Ashley sent me shattered my illusions.

The man in the photo was the exact same one my dad had sent me in the previous life, the one I was supposedly hugging.

I looked at the photos on my phone - they were perfectly natural, no signs of alteration.

Just then, Liam came home. I rushed to him.

"Liam, did you keep any of the photos from today?"

"Of course, I did. Wouldn't want you nagging me about it."

He handed me his phone. In his photos, he and Ashley stood together, looking like absolute gods.

How could this be... Where did it go wrong?

I took his phone to the balcony, comparing the two sets of photos repeatedly.

Same park, same time, same poses, only the people were different.

The other two photos were the same.

Liam came to the balcony, wrapped his arms around me, and complained playfully.

"Baby, I did what you asked, why do you still look upset?"

His scent was still so fresh and clean, like orange soda, utterly captivating.

But the thought that the man holding me now could be that man in the photos made my skin crawl.

"No... no way. I... I was just jealous, that's why I looked upset."

Liam instantly perked up at my words.

"Then since I completed your mission, you have to give me a kiss."

I looked at his angelic face, about to lean in, but the image of the man in the photos instantly killed my appetite.

I gently pushed him away, giving a nervous, guilty smile.

"A kiss? That's nothing! I'll cook you dinner tonight as a reward."

Liam didn't notice my odd behavior. He just kissed my cheek and said, "Okay!"

I went to the kitchen and sent the photo to the family SnapChat group, along with a message.

"Is the man you saw last time the same one in this photo?"

Replies quickly poured in.

"Why hasn't Ashley broken up with that guy yet? They're completely mismatched! Ashley is 5'5", even in heels, she'd be taller than him!"

"Chloe, has your best friend been brainwashed by this man? What does he even have going for him?"

"Chloe, look at his clothes, they smell like an old man's. He's probably wearing his dad's hand-me-downs!"

As if I wouldn't believe them, Dad sent a separate photo of the man into the group.

"See? This is the same guy you posted in the group last time, isn't it?"

I carefully examined the single photo - still the same time, same background, same pose, but a different person.

Why were the photos I took so different from what they saw?

Liam, who hadn't seen me come out yet, knocked on the kitchen door.

"Chloe, why are you zoning out in the kitchen? How about I cook instead?"

"No, no, it'll be ready in a minute. Just wait at the dining table."

I quickly finished two dishes and carried them out. But as Liam sat down, I glimpsed the butterfly birthmark on his neck.

It was Liam's unique mark. I immediately pulled out Ashley's photos and the family group photos to compare.

My jaw dropped.

The birthmark on that man's neck in the photos was identical to Liam's...