Chapter 4

Liam’s breath hitched, a primal sense of unease washing over him.

But before he could grasp the deeper meaning of my words, Serena, in his arms, lifted her tear-streaked face, her fawn-like eyes silently pleading with him.

Liam gave a bitter chuckle:

“Aubrey, please, just help me find it first. Bring it to me once you do.”

I gripped my phone tightly, my knuckles turning white, an infinite wave of disappointment washing over me.

My last desperate attempt, it fell flat.

Now, I held no illusions left about Liam, but a part of me, the seven-years-ago me, still resided within, begging me to try one last, desperate attempt.

Liam still chose someone else.

Then I would grant his wish, fulfilling his last request before I left.

I diligently searched where Liam had sat and finally found a tiny leaf-shaped necklace tucked into the sofa cushion.

It was etched with the letter ‘S’.

I stared at it for a moment, then put the necklace into my bag and headed for Liam’s company.

In just half an hour, Liam called seven or eight times, urging me on.

I patiently answered each one.

“Aubrey, did you find it? It’s not lost… Good, good…”

“I’m already on my way to the company. The necklace is in my bag, don’t worry.”

The taxi driver, hearing the commotion on the phone, turned and asked:

“Miss, you’re the boss’s secretary, aren’t you? Ugh, can’t even get a decent break on the weekend…”

I gave a self-deprecating smile and said nothing.

At the company, I didn’t have anyone announce my arrival. I walked confidently into Liam’s studio, knowing the way by heart.

The moment I pushed open the door, the flirtatious murmurs inside abruptly ceased. Two intertwined bodies instantly separated, and the air thickened with awkwardness.

Serena’s pale arm was still resting on Liam’s hand.

Liam cleared his throat and walked towards me:

“Wifey, you’re here. Serena is a new model at our company. We’re still getting her accustomed to things. I was just demonstrating some poses for her…”

I pulled the necklace from my bag, bypassed him, and handed it directly to Serena.

Then I turned back to Liam, giving him a faint smile:

“I know how dedicated you are to your work. No need to explain.”

With that, I turned and left, just as Liam had left our home, without a trace of reluctance.

Liam was speechless, choked by my trust, yet a strange ache began to bloom in his chest.

Why?

Isn’t this exactly what he wanted?

Liam couldn’t understand it himself. He just stood there, staring blankly as my figure grew smaller and smaller, a distance that inexplicably made his heart pound with unease.

But the next second, Serena threw herself into his arms again, whining in a tone he couldn't resist:

“Liam, I’m so glad my necklace is back! This is the last thing my mother left me… Liam, I have no family, I only have you…”

Liam was completely enchanted by Serena’s demeanor. The bitterness and unease he’d felt moments before were instantly forgotten. The two quickly grew intimate in the office, oblivious to everything else.

After I returned home, my best friend Chloe called to tell me that all the arrangements had been made.

In just one more week, I would vanish from Liam’s life forever, through death.

Chloe, on the other end of the line, asked me with immense concern if I was doing okay, and if Liam had done something terrible to me.

I said calmly, “From now on, we’ll go our separate ways. I’ll accept the loss of these years of my life as a gamble I’d lost, and there’s no point in arguing about it anymore.”

I stopped paying attention to how many days Liam hadn’t come home. Instead, I began to meticulously sort through my design drafts.

These designs were my life’s work, years of effort. I couldn’t leave them behind; I had to take them with me.

As for useless things… I slipped a simple band off my ring finger and casually tossed it onto the bedside table.

There was no need for this wedding ring anymore.

But just as I was getting tired of packing and ready to take a break, I was startled by Liam’s sudden, furious return.

I was puzzled: “Did you forget something else?”

This time, was it a gold necklace or a silver one?

But Liam sneered, his eyes narrowed and fierce, staring at me as if I were an enemy.

“Aubrey, I knew something was off with how unusually quiet you’ve been these past few days. So this is what you were planning all along…”

“I take responsibility for my own actions, Liam. If you have a problem, come at *me*! Don’t you feel disgusted and vile, using such despicable tactics to hurt her?”

With that, Liam violently threw his phone at me, his eyes bloodshot as he roared:

“Do you have *any idea* how much this will hurt Serena?!”