16
Liam refused to sign.
<
So we remained married.
But Liam wouldn’t leave me alone.
I knew he was trying to stop me from seeing
Lucas.
But Lucas, unable to find me, would always
come to my work, asking me if I didn’t care
about him anymore.
I’d laugh and placate him. “I care.”
After I’d sweet–talked him into leaving, I saw
Liam standing far away, watching me. I didn’t
know how much he’d seen. But he didn’t say
anything, and walked away.
As if he was sulking.
<
But I didn’t care.
It was raining today.
It was a little chilly, and I went home by
myself.
When I got home, Liam led me to the dining
room.
“You wanted some lamb soup from the South
Side, right? I got some for you.”
His hands were ice cold.
I looked at Liam. He was soaking wet, and his
face was pale from the cold.
But his eyes were full of hope, trying to
く
please me.
I took a sip and put the spoon down. “It’s a
bit gamey. You can have it.”
I was about to turn away, but Liam grabbed
my wrist. “I went out of my way to get it for
you because you like it! It took me two hours.
to find the stall. It was raining, and the stall
didn’t have a cover, I had to wait in the rain,
and you just had a sip, not even a word of
concern-‘
“Chloe, what’s going on?”
His fingertips were shaking. His eyes were full
of confusion. “You weren’t like this before.”
“So?”
<
I stared back at him, calm and unruffled. “I
stopped liking you a long time ago. You’re
just a stranger to me. What makes you think
I’d care about a stranger?”
“Your self–pity shouldn’t expect me to be
grateful, it’s not funny.”
Liam seemed defeated by my words.
“How could you stop liking me?!
“I did my homework, Lucas is just your friend.
There’s nothing going on, you just used him
to get back at me. I know you still care about
me!
“Chloe, Sweetheart, you love me, right?”
く
He looked at me, his eyes careful and
hopeful.
But I noticed that his hands were trembling,
his knuckles were white, as if my answer was his last hope, and could make or break him.
I smiled, and destroyed that hope.
“He’s a friend now. And eventually, I’m going
to meet someone that I’ll spend the rest of
my life with.”
I was scared of being alone.
After my father died, I wanted a home more
than anyone.
So I never planned to spend the rest of my
life alone.
<
I needed someone to keep me company.
Man, woman, lover.
Anyone would do.
Liam’s eyes were red. “Can’t that be me?”
“No.” I didn’t hesitate.
I ignored Liam’s pale face, smiled, and turned
away.
Not looking back.
