Chapter 2

"Oh wow, your belly's flat! You really went through with it—you actually aborted her baby!"

Lily excitedly touched my stomach, exaggeratedly giving Liam a thumbs up.

Liam glanced at Lily smugly.

"A bet's a bet. When have I ever lied to you?"

To ease the awkward atmosphere, one of Liam's buddies pulled me down to sit, playing peacemaker.

"We're businessmen, right? Integrity matters."

"We rarely get to hang out with you. Why don't you join us today?"

Liam frowned, instinctively about to decline on my behalf, but I cut him off coldly.

"Sure. I'll play."

I really wanted to see what kind of game was so thrilling that Liam could sacrifice even his own flesh and blood for it.

My luck was terrible. Lily and I played rock-paper-scissors several rounds in a row, and I lost every single one.

Worried that Lily's dares would go too far, Liam volunteered to drink three shots as penalty instead.

Glass after glass of liquor, he downed them one after another, his neck straining.

"She just had an abortion. I'll drink for her."

With each round of jeering, Lily's expression grew darker.

Finally, after I lost yet another round, Lily exploded with a curse.

"What's the point of playing if you keep drinking for her? Women are so damn annoying. I've said it a million times—no women at our gatherings!"

Liam was drunk, trying to placate Lily with a smile, but I spoke first.

"I choose Truth."

Lily's eyes lit up. The complaint on her face vanished instantly, replaced by an excited gleam in her eyes.

She raised her eyebrow at me maliciously, her tone both contemptuous and playful.

"Well then, I'm going to ask."

"You've had three abortions, so you must have been examined by plenty of male doctors. Why don't you tell the guys which male doctor had the best technique? Which one felt the best when he touched you? Hahahaha!"

I gripped my glass tightly, my heart trembling.

Those first two children were my life's deepest pain, a secret between Liam and me.

How did Lily know about them?

"Tsk, no wonder Liam doesn't want to sleep with you. A bunch of men have touched you down there—what normal guy wouldn't find that disgusting? Even I'm grossed out, and I'm a woman."

Lily's shrill laughter was like a sharp blade, stabbing into my heart again and again.

I couldn't suppress the anger and grievance in my heart any longer. I picked up my glass and threw the contents in Lily's face.

Still not satisfied, I added a slap.

"That felt the best."

Lily covered her face in humiliated fury, eyes wide as she glared at me.

The sudden turn of events left everyone present stunned.

Once he realized what had happened, Liam grabbed me by the back of my neck in rage.

Slap.

He hit me once, then again.

"Melody, have you lost your fucking mind? It's just a game! What gives you the right to hit Lily?"

"If you can't take a joke, don't join the game. Besides, Lily was just stating facts..."