Four years ago, I messed with a man. When things were incredibly sweet between us, we’d been intimate. But then, in a blink, I took money from the campus belle. I made sure the campus belle ended up by his side, taking my place. Then, I vanished without a trace. Later, they became the perfect couple, like something out of a fairy tale. And I? I was just there to play the part of a paid companion for clients at their party, helping them with their drinks. Liam grabbed my wrist, his eyes dark and deep. “Chloe, don’t you have anything to say?” I glanced at the campus belle, then smiled, pulling my hand away. “I wish you happiness.” His face just shattered, a look of near madness in his eyes. Four years after leaving him, I ran into him again, completely out of the blue. This business gala was packed with the biggest names in the city’s elite circles. I was there as a paid companion for a wealthy client; the tips were good. I even ran into a few old classmates. My old classmates were so stunned, they could barely keep up their conversations with others. They kept sneaking glances at me. They wanted to see my expression, and Liam’s, practically itching to pull out their phones and record this classic, dramatic scene. After all, to outsiders, Liam and Scarlett, the campus belle, had fallen in love overnight four years ago, while I, his girlfriend, had vanished heartbroken. Now, here I was, attending an event with some powerful CEO. Such a messy, drama-filled plot. Everyone loves a good train wreck, right? I kept my head down. Staring at the floor, it was funny, but I could tell exactly where Liam was just by looking at their shoes. Liam’s legs were still the same as before. Straight and long. I remember one time, we broke curfew for a date, decided to hike up a mountain to watch the sunrise. I fell asleep on the mountaintop, missed the sunrise, but ended up sleeping for a whole day, hugging his legs. I complained sweetly that he hadn’t woken me. But Liam just held me and said, “Silly girl, if you want to see the sunrise, I’ll carry you here. Are you worried the sun won’t rise tomorrow?” All these years, I’ve just had to look up to see the sun. But when I turned around, my Liam was gone. Four years. Does he treat Scarlett the same way now? It was Scarlett’s voice, the campus belle from back then. She said, “I’m getting married soon. I can’t believe I ran into you here. You have to come!” Mr. Anderson, my client who knew nothing, burst out laughing beside me.
My head was bowed so low, my neck felt stiff. Mr. Anderson thought Scarlett’s words were meant for him. As if remembering something, he couldn’t help but say, “Back then, Mr. Hayes was so crazy about his ex-girlfriend, I honestly thought he’d sworn off dating for good. Can’t believe you finally managed to reel him in.” “Oh, I heard at the time that Mr. Hayes was even spreading rumors, swearing he’d find her and deal with her himself. You really are something, Scarlett, to have captured such a deep romantic.” Scarlett awkwardly cleared her throat. But I was startled, and my head shot up. The air went quiet for a moment. Then my head dropped back down. “Who is she to you?” Liam’s voice, dark and cold, asked Mr. Anderson beside him. Mr. Anderson replied carelessly. “…Does Mr. Hayes know her? She’s just someone convenient to bring to these kinds of events, you know.” “Chloe, say hello to them.” My classmates’ strange stares. Scarlett’s disbelief. Liam’s even colder expression. A wave of indescribable shame rose from my heart. I cleared my throat, stammering, “I… I don’t feel well. My stomach hurts. I’m going to leave first.” The moment I turned, my wrist was tightly gripped. Liam, who had been relatively calm until then, finally showed a crack in his composure. “Chloe, don’t you have anything to say to me?” I glanced at Scarlett, then pulled his hand away. “I wish you happiness.” Liam’s face instantly shattered, his eyes tinged with crimson. The atmosphere grew tense. A classmate, who used to be close with me, quickly stepped in front of Liam. “Alright… alright, look at the venue we’re in. Chloe isn’t feeling well, I’ll take her to the hospital.” My classmate offered me an out. I quickly left with her. Behind me, I could still faintly hear Liam and Mr. Anderson’s voices. “Mr. Hayes, do you really know her?” “Yeah, my girlfriend.” Almost everyone around gasped.
Going to the hospital was just an excuse. My classmate, Maya, saw how quiet I was, so she took me to a bar. She ordered several bottles of liquor, telling me to drink as much as I wanted, whatever made me happy. She promised not to ask about where I’d been all these years. After a few rounds. I was hugging the bottle, laughing傻傻的 (giddily). Then the laughter turned to tears. Maya looked at me, stroking my face. “Chloe, you’ve changed so much. Don’t drink anymore.” “Don’t you have anything to say to him? After all, he was the one who wronged you first.” I looked at her. In outsiders’ eyes, Liam betrayed me, having a one-night stand with the campus belle, and I disappeared heartbroken. In reality, it was much more complicated. I took the campus belle’s money, conspired with Scarlett, and lied to Liam, making him believe it wasn’t me he’d slept with, but Scarlett. I, in a way, helped an outsider force him, force him to marry Scarlett. I was unforgivable. Now that he was getting married, it was my own fault. Now that I was reduced to being a paid companion for others, that was also my own fault. Suddenly, I moved, and Maya gasped, standing up. But I still didn’t register it, just hugged the bottle and laughed. “Say? There’s nothing to say.” “There’s nothing to ask either. Ask him if he still loves me? If he says yes, then what about Scarlett?” “If he says he doesn’t love me anymore, that he’s forgotten, what would I have left to hold onto? What would I do then… I can’t ask, I can’t bring myself to ask…” “This is fine. Being strangers from now on is fine…” I shook my head, heartbroken. The alcohol went to my head, and I nearly toppled onto the bar counter. Suddenly, a warm palm blocked my forehead, protecting my head. I felt someone pick me up from behind. I vaguely heard Liam’s voice. “How much did she drink?” “A bottle… I think.” Liam chuckled softly. “Still a total lightweight, just like before.”
I had a dream, a very long dream. I dreamed I was back in my freshman year. Back then, my dad was still alive, and our family was comfortably middle-class. Liam was the golden boy of our university, heir to a massive fortune. Even though he was as cool and aloof as an ice prince, countless fangirls still followed him everywhere. When he was in class, you could bet his fangirls were waiting by the door. But back then, everyone said the campus belle and he were the perfect match. Both from wealthy families, having known each other since childhood – it would be a waste if they didn’t have a childhood sweethearts romance. I just ran my mouth off in the dorm one night. “Tch, what kind of man is Liam? If I were him, with so many gorgeous girls chasing me, I’d give every single one of them a home. I’d be doing myself a disservice not to.” “So many beautiful girls following him, tsk tsk tsk, and he still hasn’t picked anyone? Let me guess, he must be gay! Hehehehe…” It was just dorm room chatter before bed, but the next day, it spread like wildfire. Liam caught me directly after class. I was a little scared, so I told him, “I didn’t mean it. It’s all your fault for being too handsome. I like you too, I just wanted to get your attention.” “If you dare to hum right now, it means you like me. Hmm~ Now you don’t want to talk, do you?” “Okay okay, I’m leaving now, bye-bye.” I hadn’t even lifted my foot. But then, Liam blocked my path. That usually cold, handsome face now held a smile in his eyes, and he hooked his lips. “Hmm~” “I hummed. So I’m your boyfriend now. Come have dinner with me.” I was stunned. Like, how did I just randomly snag myself a rich, hot boyfriend? Who’s luckier than me? The more time we spent together, the more I felt like I’d hit the jackpot.
Liam, besides doting on me and loving me, just doted on me even more and loved me even more. I fell completely head over heels for him. Back then, Liam always said I was his fireworks. That in his endless darkness, I was the dazzling fireworks that made his life colorful. I slowly opened my eyes, my eyelids feeling damp. But fireworks are always just a fleeting display in someone’s life. I looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, still confused. Then someone knocked on the door. I cleared my throat. “Come in.” Slowly, a guy walked in. His face was about sixty percent similar to Liam’s. The last time I saw him, he was sixteen. Four years later, he looked just like his brother. Always had that grumpy face. “Long time no see. Where is this place? And where’s my bag?” “This is my place, of course. My brother looked after you all night and just stepped out. You wake up and want to leave already? Is that fair to him?” I lowered my gaze, forcing a smile. “Caleb, your brother’s getting married, do you understand that?” Caleb froze, then his brows furrowed. “Married? What are you talking about?” I was stunned, my mind a complete mess. “Scarlett isn’t marrying your brother?” Caleb paused, then said, “If I told you my brother was never with Scarlett, would you stay?” I stood up, starting to look for my phone, muttering a quiet “I’m sorry.” There was no going back. I didn’t have the nerve. Caleb watched my actions, his face slowly turning cold. “My brother risked everything to refuse that marriage back then. Sister Scarlett later said your family took her money, that you helped Sister Scarlett deceive us.” “My brother was so good to you, and even after all that, you’re still unwilling? My brother should be the one who hates you the most, so what right do you have to put on airs and make my brother beg you to come back?” “Chloe, you’re truly cruel.” Tears streamed down my face. I bowed to Caleb, saying with utmost seriousness, “I’m sorry.” “You…!” Caleb was furious, clearly, after all he’d said, he hadn’t come to hear me say sorry.
The door was knocked again. I looked over. Liam’s tall frame was leaning against the doorframe, his face pale and drawn, looking a little worn. Who knew how long he’d been listening? He coughed, then said to Caleb, “If she wants to go, let her.” I lowered my gaze, the hand holding my phone suddenly feeling weak. I took a step, slowly walking past him, my head down. I heard him sigh deeply, and then he pulled my hand. Liam tried to keep his emotions in check. “Chloe, I can…” Tears fell uncontrollably. I smiled at him. “Liam, we can’t go back.” “I conspired with outsiders and lied to you. No matter what my reasons were, I don’t have the face to face you.” “Let’s just leave it like this. It’s my fault, I’m sorry.” This matter would forever be a thorn in both our hearts. I didn’t want to force us back together, only for him to bring it up in an argument someday, calling me bad, evil, or cruel. I was afraid I really wouldn’t be able to bear it. Liam didn’t say anything more. I wiped my tears and walked out. Determined. … At the care facility, I immediately prepared to pay with my debit card. The nurse checked the account and said, “Someone came today and paid off all three of your overdue installments at once.” I froze. Who could it be? The nurse then handed me a file. “This is from the doctor. Although your depression has fully recovered, you still need to come back for regular check-ups.” “Now your mother’s condition in the hospital is stable, isn’t she much better than before? Just like the doctor said, if you smile, maybe fate won’t be so unkind to you.” The nurse teased me. I looked at the check-up report and couldn’t help but curve my lips into a smile, thanking her. Then I went to my mom’s room. Mom was sitting in her wheelchair. She was much better this time, even remembering me. She smiled and waved at me, asking for candy. I took out a milk candy from my pocket and gave it to her.
Mom was like a child, happily eating it. I knelt beside her, tidying her hair. “Eat slowly, I have more.” “Mm-hmm, Chloe, I want more, I want more! It’s so yummy!” My eyes stung, and I nodded. Four years ago, my dad’s project had an accident. Overnight, we were saddled with millions in debt. He couldn’t bear it and jumped from a building. Mom started working hard to pay off the debt, but no matter how much she earned, she couldn’t even make a dent in the mountain of debt. At that time, Liam and I had just gone public. His grandfather still looked down on my background. Just as I was agonizing over whether to seek Liam’s help. My mom had already taken Scarlett’s money. That’s when everything shattered, setting us on an irreversible path. I rubbed my eyes, pulling at my lips in a bitter smile, as if talking to myself. “Mom, I didn’t let Liam talk about getting back together.” “I’m so bad, and he’s so good. It was clearly all my fault, so how could he, the victim, be the one begging?” “But Mom, I truly, truly, truly love him so much. If there’s a next life.” “Mom, can you please let me be with him properly for a lifetime, forever and ever, never apart?” I was lost in my own emotions. Only when someone spoke from behind me did I belatedly turn around. Scarlett was still wearing white, just like before. She held out a debit card to me, smiling, and cut straight to the chase. “Chloe, long time no see. You really won, are you happy?”
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