Chapter 2

After that whole ordeal, I lost my interest in shopping and went home early.

It wasn't until evening that Chloe brought Leo back.

She carried bags overflowing with items, and the driver following her carried several more boxes.

The boxes contained expensive fruits and imported snacks.

It was clear Chloe had bought a lot to appease Leo.

They walked in just as I was lounging on the couch, watching TV.

I deliberately didn't look her way, but she approached me anyway.

At first, she didn't speak, just pursed her lips, seemingly waiting for my reaction.

But I kept my eyes on the TV, not even sparing her a glance.

"Liam, you clearly saw me bring in all these things. Why didn't you help me?"

I casually glanced at her.

"Why should I help you? Those weren't bought for me. What does it have to do with me?"

Her face darkened. "If you want them, just say so. People will laugh at me if they know Chloe's fiancé has to beg for these things."

Chloe wasn't listening to what I'd said at the mall, and I was too tired to keep repeating myself.

She'd understand that I wasn't marrying her on the wedding day itself.

Chloe picked up a punnet of blueberries and tossed it near me.

With too much force, the box bounced on the couch before falling to the floor.

"Here, a treat for you. Don't say I mistreat you."

I looked down at the blueberries but felt no desire to pick them up.

To do so would be like a pathetic dog begging for her crumbs of attention.

I didn't need that kind of charity.

I curled my lips into a cold sneer. "You're certainly making yourself at home here, aren't you? Don't you have any manners as a guest? Don't shame the Thompson family's reputation."

We had grown up together, always familiar with each other's homes, but I had never spoken such humiliating words before.

Chloe's face flushed crimson, her eyes glaring at me as if they could kill.

Mom and Dad weren't back yet, and the housekeepers were busy with their own tasks.

The living room was just me, Chloe, and Leo.

Chloe acted as if I didn't exist, pressing Leo against the wall and brushing a feather-light kiss on him.

She murmured, "Leo, if anything ever upsets you, just tell me. Don't let it ruin your health."

Leo's clear voice reached my ears.

"I know. I knew you were the best to me."

With Leo's response, they continued their intimate display, lost in their own world, making me feel a flush of discomfort.

I switched off the TV, walked around the couch, deliberately keeping my distance as I headed for the stairs, planning to go to my room.

As I reached the middle of the staircase, Chloe's eyes suddenly snapped open, startled, as if she'd just remembered someone else was there.

She instinctively pushed Leo away.

Leo didn't notice her strange behavior, just reluctantly ended the kiss.

Then Leo looked up at me, his eyes full of defiance and disdain, as if to challenge me.

Back in my room, I received a message from Leo.

[Liam, Chloe might be giving you a wedding, but the title of Chloe's husband can only be mine.]

[Liam, whatever fate you met in your last life, you'll meet again in this one. You can't beat me.]