Chapter 3

Liam returned home the next evening, acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

I was focused on browsing some information online, not rushing to greet him like usual, or calling him ‘honey’ sweetly.

Liam’s expression darkened slightly. He pulled me into a hug, leaning in for a kiss.

But beneath his collar, I caught sight of several blatant red marks, and a wave of nausea hit me, making me gag.

My reaction startled Liam. He fumbled to get me some water, frantically asking what was wrong, one worried question after another.

“Baby, are you okay? Are you not feeling well?”

“I’m so sorry, so sorry. Work was just insane, I apologize…”

“I’m fine.”

I offered a faint smile, looking at the hand holding the glass of water, and asked in a tone of surprise:

“Oh, where’s your wedding ring?”

Liam’s left ring finger was bare, save for the pale indentation left by years of wearing the ring. The ring itself was gone.

Liam’s gaze immediately dropped to his ring finger, his pupils constricted, and he quickly offered a forced, bitter smile, scrambling for an excuse:

“It must have been during today’s shoot… the props were a bit dirty, and I didn’t want to get the ring messed up, so I took it off. It’s probably still on my desk at the office…”

I didn’t say another word, merely gave a self-deprecating smirk.

If a simple question about his wedding ring sent him into such a panic, I certainly wouldn’t bring up the hickeys on his neck. No need to make things even more disgustingly awkward for us both.

Perhaps fearing my anger, Liam quickly wrapped his arms around me from behind, swayed me gently, as if comforting a child, then whispered close to my ear.

“Baby, that ring is old now. Our anniversary is coming up soon. I’ll have my assistant pick out a new design for us.”

He finished, looking at me with satisfaction, convinced he had appeased the unusually moody me today.

But my tone remained so flat it clearly irritated him.

“Okay, you arrange it.”

Just then, Liam’s phone rang again. It was that special ringtone from yesterday.

Liam’s full attention immediately shifted. He pulled out his phone, glanced at it, then instantly stood up, putting his recently removed jacket back on.

“Baby, something at work came up. I’m going out of town for two days.”

“I’ll be back on our anniversary, and I’ll bring you a new ring then.”

With that, Liam didn’t ask me to pack for him like usual. Instead, he impatiently rushed into the bedroom, grabbed a few random clothes, and then just took off.

“Is it really that important of a job?” I called out to his retreating figure at the door, my voice still flat—so flat that Liam thought he heard a hint of sarcasm.

But he quickly dismissed the idea, turning to offer me an apologetic smile:

“Super important, baby, I’m so sorry… I’ll make it up to you when I get back!”

Then, without a hint of reluctance, he turned and opened the door, out like a gust of wind. Soon after, the sound of a car engine starting up echoed from downstairs. It seemed he couldn’t wait another second.

This was the second time Liam had left me without a backward glance, using work as an excuse.

But I no longer felt sad for him.

I called in a trusted housekeeper and asked her to help me pack for my trip overseas.

After packing several large suitcases and arranging for a logistics company, I received a call from Liam.

I was a little surprised, not expecting him to even make time for a call.

The moment I answered, Liam urgently asked me to find something for him at home:

“Aubrey, I left a leaf-shaped necklace when I was home. Hurry and find it, don’t lose it!”

I was puzzled: “A necklace? I didn’t know you had one.” A leaf-shaped necklace – typically a woman's accessory, often symbolizing affection and care.

But Liam’s voice suddenly rose, and faintly, I could hear a woman crying in the background.

“Just find it! And bring it to the company building for me! If you weren’t the only one home, I wouldn’t even be asking you…”

I didn’t speak for a long moment.

Liam then belatedly realized his tone was harsh and quickly apologized in a low voice, but every word still pleaded with me to find that necklace as quickly as possible.

“Aubrey, I can’t explain it clearly, but it’s something very important to me. Please, help your husband find it, okay?”

Listening to Liam’s pleading tone, I couldn't help but recall his reaction when he realized his wedding ring was missing.

So nonchalant, so dismissive.

“Liam, if I told you that I could grant you one wish right now, but you could only use this chance once, would you use it to have me find your necklace?”