Chapter 3

When I woke up the next morning, Liam was already standing in the living room, sharp in a suit.

“Why are there so many things missing from the house?” He frowned, looking around.

I opened my mouth, about to explain, but he had already changed the subject. “Genevieve's art exhibition is today. She invited us to go.”

“I...”

“She just got back to the country; she doesn't have many friends,” Liam interrupted me. “Just think of it as doing me a favor, being there for support.”

I clenched my fingers, then finally nodded.

At the exhibition, Genevieve saw Liam and immediately drew close, her arm slipping possessively through his.

“Liam! This is the one I wanted you to see most...” She pointed to a snow-capped mountain oil painting, her voice soft. “I painted this in Switzerland. I thought of you every single day back then...”

Liam listened, his gaze fixed on the painting, his expression unreadable.

In the end, he bought every single one of her paintings.

Whispers immediately broke out around us.

“Isn't that Mr. Blackwood? So generous with his date.”

“I heard his girlfriend took care of him for three years; he really dotes on her.”

“No, that's not the Miss Hayes from the news. That's the one who dumped Mr. Blackwood before...”

Amidst the murmurs, someone mistakenly identified Genevieve as me.

Liam froze when he heard, then seemed to remember something and turned to me. “What do *you* want?”

Just then, a sapphire necklace was presented on stage, gleaming with a deep-sea luminescence under the spotlights.

My gaze lingered on it for an extra second, involuntarily.

Liam immediately raised his paddle. “Ten million!”

“This necklace has quite a story,” Genevieve suddenly interjected. “It was a token of love from a foreign king to his queen, symbolizing loyalty and undying love.”

She gave me a meaningful glance. “Perfect for Miss Hayes, wouldn't you say?”

Liam's hand paused.

After the necklace was purchased and brought to him, he handed it directly to Genevieve. “This suits you better.”

“Oh, I don't know,” Genevieve feigned hesitation. “Isn't this the one Miss Hayes admired?”

“I'll buy her something else,” Liam said, looking at me. “What do you want?”

I lowered my eyes, a self-mocking curve on my lips.

A gift symbolizing loyalty, deemed unfit for me, yet perfectly suited for Genevieve.

The difference between being loved and not loved was suddenly, painfully clear.

After the auction ended, guests began to disperse in twos and threes.

While Liam was surrounded by people exchanging pleasantries, Genevieve seized the opportunity to approach me.

“Sera, surely you see it now?” Genevieve whispered, her red lips twisting into a triumphant, cruel smirk. “Liam loves *me*. The more you cling, the more he'll resent you.”

I looked at her, my eyes, however, were disturbingly calm. “You'll get your wish.”

“What do you mean?” Genevieve frowned.

I didn't answer, turning to leave.

“Ah—!”

A sudden scream erupted behind me.

I turned to see Genevieve tumbling down the stairs!

“Sera!”

Liam's enraged roar filled the hall.

He rushed over and shoved me away, so hard I stumbled back and hit the wall.

“What did Genevieve ever do to you, that you'd treat her like this?” he demanded, his eyes terrifyingly cold. “Even if I didn't protect you properly before, if you have a problem, come at *me*! Why drag her into it?”

My back pressed against the cold wall, my voice soft yet firm. “I didn't push her.”

“Liam...” Genevieve weakly clutched his sleeve. “It was just me being clumsy... it wasn't Miss Hayes's fault...”

“You don't need to defend her!” Liam gave me a chilling glance, then bent down and carefully scooped Genevieve into his arms. “I'm not dealing with you. Get yourself home.”

I stood there, watching Liam's retreating back as he hurried away with Genevieve. His suit jacket was still draped over her, and he held her with such agonizing care, as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

He was always like this.

The moment Genevieve cried, it was always *my* fault.

I felt for the plane ticket in my pocket. A flight to London in a week, carrying away all my love and pain.

He wouldn't have to feel I was a burden anymore.

Because soon, this burden of a woman would simply vanish from his life, forever.

The auction house was far from the villa and in a remote area. I couldn't hail a taxi, so I had no choice but to walk back.

The rain started just as I was halfway home.

The cold rain drenched my hair and clothes, and my shoes filled with water. Every step felt like a thousand needles pricking my feet.

By the time I finally reached the house, my feet were raw with blisters, and my entire body was burning up.

I forced myself to find some medicine, quickly tended to my wounds, then drifted off into a feverish sleep.

The next morning, I was woken by commotion downstairs.

As soon as I went down, I saw Genevieve's luggage piled in the living room.

Liam's voice carried from the living room, “Genevieve's parents are out of the country; it's not safe for her to be alone, so she'll stay here for a few days. And you, keep your schemes to yourself.”

I gripped the banister, my face pale, as I walked down the stairs. “I won't.”

I wouldn't play any more games.

And I wouldn't love him anymore.

During Genevieve's stay, I saw a completely different Liam.

He'd remember Genevieve disliked cilantro, and he'd even swap out a dish I hated if I so much as frowned.

On stormy nights, he'd be the first to comfort a frightened Genevieve.

The study, once strictly off-limits to me, was now Genevieve's to wander in and out of as she pleased.

I finally understood. This was how Liam loved someone.

I thought back to the past few years, when I used to secretly rejoice that he'd curb his self-destructive urges during his mood spirals just because I was there. I'd foolishly thought it was proof he was starting to like me. How utterly ridiculous.

One day, as I passed the study, my peripheral vision caught Genevieve playing with something.

I stopped, peering through the half-open door.