Chapter 3The Day I Woke Up Dead

He grabs my hand back, tightening his grip. He smiles, but he looks away.

"Yeah. I married my Babe."

Me: "..."

Why is he so calm?! Let go of me!

I don’t want to be blasted on TikTok by his wife as a homewrecker.

I’m technically 18. Standing next to him, I look like his little sister, but we aren't siblings.

"Just drop me off at a bus stop," I say, frowning. "I'll go back..."

He tightens his grip again, helping me down the stairs.

"Go back where?"

Anywhere but with him.

"Home..."

I need to check on the group home. The director might recognize me even if I’m supposed to be dead.

Liam relaxes. He smiles again. "Then let's go home."

His smiling creeps me out. The Liam I knew didn't smile.

Julian was the one who always smiled. Liam was the one who looked like he wanted to murder everyone.

"Let go of my hand..."

He stuffs me into the back seat of a car. He climbs in right after me.

His face screams "pity me."

I choke on my words.

Liam has always been stubborn. If he wants something, he’ll smash through a brick wall to get it.

Now he’s looking at me with puppy dog eyes, gripping my hand.

"Babe..."

My scalp tingles. What is this?!

Why is he calling me Babe?! Is this future slang?

Who is this dog wagging its tail?

I push his face away with my free hand. "Liam, chill! I know you're excited to see your dead friend, but I just finished high school!"

"And you're married! We can't do this!"

He freezes. Just when I think I got through to him, he pulls me into a hug again.

"Sorry. You probably won't believe me, but once we get home, you'll see."

Your home, I think blankly.

How am I going to explain this to his wife?

"...Mr. Lu? Are we leaving?" The driver asks, terrified.

I make eye contact with the driver in the rearview mirror. The awkwardness is palpable.

Great. I’ve time-traveled and immediately become a mistress.

Liam holds me tight. His wedding ring digs into my skin, pricking my conscience.

He gives a low "Hmm," and the driver relaxes. Just as the engine starts, there’s a knock on the window.

A man holding a massive bouquet of red roses leans down. He knocks again.

He’s smiling. He looks older, but that mole under his lip is iconic.

My eyes widen. "Julian?"

Liam slams my face into his chest, hiding me. "Drive," he orders coldly.

"Wait! Don't drive!" I scramble against him. "Liam, that's Julian!"

He knows I had a crush on Julian in high school.

He pushes my head down again. "Drive."

I don't want to be kidnapped to his house to be accused of adultery. I struggle and manage to hit the window button.

I try to pop my head up to say hi, but Liam shoves my face into his lap. I freeze.

"Well, long time no see," Julian says. His voice is deeper, smoother.

He sounds amused. "Saw you from a distance. You... you're hiring lookalikes now?"

Liam sneers. "If you have nothing to say, get lost."

"Can't say hi to an old classmate? You've gotten cute again since Chloe died."

Hearing my name makes me wince. I try to move, but Liam presses down harder.

Now my face is pressed against... something.

I turn bright red. I want to die again.

To Liam's unknown wife: I am so sorry!

Wait, Liam is the scum here. Why should I die?

I wiggle cautiously. Liam groans. I freeze instantly.

"Ah, my bad. Didn't realize you were busy," Julian laughs. No shame at all.

Dude! He definitely misunderstood!

Julian leans on the window, chatting casually. "Making out right outside Chloe’s grave? Trying to piss her ghost off?"

The air smells like gunpowder.

Liam ignores him. "Drive."

The driver hesitates. "Mr. Su... his hand is on the car..."

Is everyone a "Mr. CEO" or "Mr. Heir" now? And I'm just "The Dead Girl"?

"Hey, little sister," Julian says, seemingly talking to me. "Still wearing a school uniform..."

He sighs dramatically. "Don't do this kind of work. If you need money, name your price. I'll beat it."

Julian is still so gentle. I should go with him!

I struggle free from Liam’s claws and lunge for the window. "Julian—"

Julian’s pupils earthquake.

He stares at my face. His smile cracks.

"...How much is Liam paying you? I'll double it. No, name any price. Will you come with me?"