Chapter 1

1.

On Christmas Eve, without telling a soul, I drove six hours to Liam's city.

I spent four hours that afternoon in his apartment.

I cooked a full Thanksgiving feast―roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, creamy mashed potatoes, gravy, and a pumpkin pie I learned to make from YouTube.

While waiting for him to get home, I scrolled through Reddit and saw a post trending at the top.

"What's something someone has done that proves they truly love you?"

In the comments, one reply had way more upvotes than any other.

"He stayed here with me for Thanksgiving instead of going home. He told his family he had an urgent project at work. ??"

"He was supposed to propose to his girlfriend this year, but he postponed it because I wasn't ready. He remembers all my little habits, my birthday, and he even decorated the passenger seat of his car just for me."

Liam had told me the same thing―too many projects at year-end, couldn't come home for Thanksgiving. And yes, our engagement date had been pushed back again and again.

Someone in the comments challenged her: "Sounds like you're the other woman."

She replied nonchalantly.

"We're just soulmates. She has the ring, but he has my heart. Why force him to stay where he isn't happy?"

"Anyway, gotta go! We're about to head downtown for the Christmas tree lighting tonight! Merry Christmas Eve!"

The post included a picture of a man's side profile against the backdrop of the city square's Christmas lights.

That face was identical to Liam's.

…

I zoomed in and out on the picture, staring at it over and over.

Then she posted another photo, a close-up of two hands intertwined.

On one of those hands was a ring I knew all too well―the one Liam bought for himself the second year we were together―glaring at me from the screen.

I called Liam.

The phone rang for a long time before he picked up. I could hear the sounds of a crowd and Christmas carols in the background.

Liam's voice was as gentle as ever, "Hey, Chloe. How's it going?"

"Where are you?"

"At the office, busy with a project." His tone was perfectly natural. "You know how crazy it gets at the end of the year."

"I'm at your apartment."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end. "I'll be right back."

When Liam returned, he wasn't alone. His executive assistant, Skylar, was with him.

I'd seen her occasionally in the corner of the screen during our video calls.

Liam looked uncomfortable for a split second when he saw me.

"God, Chloe! You could have at least given me a heads-up!"

I looked at the coat he was wearing. It was the same one from the picture.

"I wanted to surprise you," I said, my voice hoarse.

My gaze shifted to Skylar. "Were you two working late together?"

Liam hesitated. Then he changed the subject. "Next time you come, just send me a text first. I can pick you up."

"Wow, Chloe remembered me!" Skylar winked playfully. "We were just at the office. We rushed right back as soon as you called!"

The way she said "we" was so natural―so natural it made me feel like the one who shouldn't be there.

Liam glanced at Skylar, and for a moment, I saw a softness in his eyes I had never seen before.

He turned back to me and explained, "It's impossible to get a ride on Christmas Eve. I was in a hurry to get back, so I gave Skylar a lift. I'll take her home later."

Liam probably had no idea I'd just driven six hours straight just to see him.

"You don't mind, do you, Chloe?" Skylar smiled at me.

Liam chuckled, his tone dismissive. "Come on, she's not that kind of person."

Skylar made a face. "I didn't say she was petty!"

Their interaction wasn't like a boss and his assistant at all―it was more like a couple who had been together forever, who knew each other inside and out.

The fingers I'd burned while roasting the turkey started to throb again.

Skylar's eyes scanned the dining table, her eyes widening dramatically. "Wow, Chloe! Did you make all this? That's amazing! I could never. The kitchen is my mortal enemy. My boyfriend does all the cooking at our place―I can't even make gluten-free pancakes without messing them up…"

I turned to Liam.

"I don't like her."

"Liam. Tell her to leave."

The smile on Skylar's face froze. She clearly hadn't expected me to say that and instinctively looked at Liam.

Liam was stunned for a second. "Okay. Whatever you say."

Skylar was shocked too. "Liam…"

Liam then insisted on taking her home, saying she wouldn't be able to get a ride.

He was gone for two hours.