Chapter 2

I looked at Liam, at his handsome, lying face. I saw the greed in his eyes, the same greed that was there when he left me to die.

I remembered how I had begged him in my past life. How I' d promised him anything. I remembered convincing my parents, who had reluctantly agreed, their faces full of worry.

That decision led to a year of him and Jenna bleeding my family dry, taking loans against the brewery for "business expenses" that were really just lavish trips and gifts for each other. It ended with my parents bankrupt and me dead.

Now, I felt a cold calm settle over me.

"You' re right, Liam," I said. My voice was even, without a single tremor.

Everyone in the room froze.

Liam' s smug expression faltered, replaced by a flicker of confusion. He expected tears, not compliance.

I turned to my parents. "He' s right. His career is important for our future. We should pay for it. And for Jenna, too. She' s been such a good friend."

Jenna looked up, a fake, grateful tear rolling down her cheek. "Oh, Chloe, thank you! You' re the best friend I could ever ask for."

My father looked at me, his brow furrowed with concern. "Honey, are you sure?"

"I' m sure, Dad," I said, giving him a small, reassuring smile that didn' t reach my eyes.

Liam' s confidence returned, twice as arrogant as before. He smirked. "See? I knew you' d understand. We' ll be a power couple."

He draped his arm around my shoulders. I didn' t flinch away, but I felt nothing. His touch was like a cold stone.

Later that evening, my parents hosted a small dinner for some of our business partners and close friends. Liam was in his element, holding court, telling everyone about the prestigious Master Brewer program he was about to attend, all thanks to his wonderfully supportive fiancée.

Jenna was right there, laughing at his jokes, playing the part of the adoring sidekick. His mother, Sharon, who had arrived just for the dinner, was beaming, telling anyone who would listen what a genius her son was and how lucky I was to have him.

I waited until dessert was served. Then I stood up, tapping my glass with a spoon. The room went quiet.

"I have an announcement to make," I said, my voice ringing clear in the sudden silence.

Liam smiled at me, thinking I was about to toast to his success.

"I want to thank you all for coming tonight," I began. "It' s a special night. It' s the night I realized what' s truly important."

I looked directly at Liam, then at Jenna, then at Sharon.

"Which is why I' m calling off my engagement to Liam."

The silence in the room was absolute. You could hear a pin drop.

Liam' s smile vanished. "What did you say?"

"The wedding is off," I repeated, my voice like ice. "And all financial support for your education and for your 'assistant' is, of course, rescinded. As of tonight, you are no longer welcome in this house or at our brewery."

I turned to my father. "Dad, can you please have security escort Liam, Jenna, and Sharon off the property?"

Chaos erupted.

"Chloe, have you lost your mind?" Liam shouted, his face turning a blotchy red.

Sharon jumped to her feet, pointing a trembling finger at me. "You ungrateful little bitch! After everything my son has done for you!"

Jenna just stood there, her face pale with shock, her plan crumbling before her eyes.

My father, who had looked worried before, now had a look of pure, unadulterated relief. He nodded once, sharply, and made a quick call.

Within minutes, two of our brewery' s security guards were there. They were big guys. They didn' t have to do much. The fight had gone out of Liam and his family. They were stunned, humiliated.

As they were being led out, Liam turned back and glared at me, his eyes full of hate. "You' ll regret this, Chloe! You' ll come crawling back!"

I just smiled. "I don' t think so."