3
That single sentence had a much greater impact than I expected. Liam, furious, grabbed his car keys and stormed out of the house, disappearing for an entire week. This was his usual way of acting out when angry, so I knew he still didn’t care about what I’d said.
In the past, faced with his cold shoulder and silent treatment, I would always panic, losing my appetite and sleep, terrified of losing him. I’d stay up all night writing long apology messages, promising never to upset him again, begging for his forgiveness by constantly lowering my boundaries.
But now, my top priority was finding a new job. After all, working at my ex–husband’s company post–divorce wouldn’t exactly be a good look.
About ten days later, after work, Liam called. For him, initiating contact was a massive olive branch; refusing it now would be ungrateful.
“You finished the last two quarters‘ tasks well. The HR department is holding a party tonight. Let’s go together later.”
I waited downstairs at the company for almost an hour, finally seeing Liam’s late arrival. The passenger window rolled down, and a finely made–up Ashley leaned out, smiling. “I wasn’t happy with any of the clothes at home, so Big Brother took me to buy a new dress, which took a little time. Sorry to keep you waiting, Sis.””
“Oh, right, Sis, I get car sick easily, so Big Brother lets me sit in the passenger seat. You don’t mind, do you?”
Liam’s hands, gripping the steering wheel, were so tight his knuckles were white. He seemed incredibly wary, as if afraid I’d get angry and hit Ashley. But I just silently opened the back door. Who needs that tacky passenger seat? I was more worried it would mess with my good vibes.
All the way, Ashley constantly tried to flirt with Liam, subtly and not–so–subtly trying to show me up, but I just admired the scenery outside, pretending I heard nothing. Liam, however, was unusually sullen, ignoring Ashley’s attempts at conversation and occasionally checking my reaction in the rearview mirror.
When we arrived, Ryan, Liam’s childhood friend, greeted us from afar, his face plastered with a wide, forced smile. “Sis, long time no see. I’ve been so swamped, I forgot to call and invite you.”
Ryan knew everything about Liam’s shenanigans. For events that required family, he wouldn’t notify me, because Liam was now bringing Ashley, and he knew I’d only end up crying to Liam and embarrassing him.
I returned his polite smile. “It’s fine. I just came to show my face and then I’m leaving.”
Ryan was momentarily speechless. He exchanged glances with Liam, but ultimately said nothing.
Inside the venue, after Liam made the rounds with a drink in hand, he found me with a slice of cake. “Matcha cake, your favorite.”
<
6
Matcha cake *used* to be my favorite in college, but I hadn’t liked it for years. Before I could refuse, Ashley came over, cellphone in hand. She was live streaming.
“Hehe, Momo Bunny found Big Brother!”
“Are you talking about this older sister? Big Brother just got her a little cake because she works at his company, that’s all~”
D
“Oh, don’t guess randomly, guys. Big Brother and I aren’t a couple~”
I raised my hand to cover my face, avoiding the camera, then got up and left.
I went to the balcony to find a quiet corner for some fresh air. Unexpectedly, Liam followed me. He spoke with a rare lack of confidence. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I didn’t know Ashley would be live streaming.”
“Don’t mind what they say in the live stream. I usually just play along for stream effect, it’s not real.”
“I’ve already told her to turn it off, don’t worry.”
I nodded, accepting his explanation, mainly because I didn’t care in the first place.
Returning to the party, the host on stage was relentlessly hyping up the crowd. I grabbed a drink. Turning, I saw Ashley
approach with a glass of champagne, smiling as she clinked her glass against mine. “Sis, my fans all say Liam and I have amazing chemistry. Who do you think he likes more, me or you?”
I nonchalantly raised my glass. “You should ask him that. But I’d say he definitely likes you more right now.”
Ashley smiled, not at all surprised, and leaned closer. “What a coincidence, Sis, I think the same thing!”
A strange feeling stirred within me, and I instinctively took a step back, but Ashley moved faster, stumbling backward and falling to the floor. Before I could react, I felt a hard shove to my stomach, and I toppled backward, the champagne tower on the table crashing down, shattering everywhere.
A sudden, sharp pain flared in my lower abdomen, making my vision blur. I fumbled, grasping the table and clutching my stomach, feeling streams of warmth running down my thighs in the chaos.
Liam, his heart aching, picked Ashley up from the floor and roared at me, right in front of the entire company, “Chloe, are you ever going to stop?! Do you need to get your head checked or something?!”
His accusatory words abruptly cut off. He stared at the blood running down my leg, seeming to realize something, his voice trembling in disbelief. “Y–you’re bleeding? Are you pregnant?!”
