Chapter 3Where the Moon Doesn't Shine

The train glided into the station. I dragged my suitcase aboard, vaguely hearing someone shout my name from behind. Maybe it was for me, maybe not. I didn't want to turn around.

This journey home from Southbridge had its first stop in Crestwood.

And my story with Liam had begun in Crestwood.

It was my first time managing a bid proposal on my own. The subway had shut down, and the line for a taxi was over four hundred people long. I was about to miss the deadline. In desperation, I called Mr. Quinn, who cursed me out before giving me Liam's number and telling me to ask him for help.

When I called, my voice trembling, Liam listened and then sighed softly. "Don't worry. Stay put, I'm coming."

He sped through the storm, calming my panic while gently reminding me to always plan for delays. We submitted the proposal with seconds to spare. I was drenched in a cold sweat.

He leaned against his car and handed me a steaming cup of coffee.

That night, I made a post on my private story, visible only to him: Met a soft-hearted god in the middle of a storm.

He quietly 'liked' it.

Now, I found myself 'liking' Tina's post. A minute later, it vanished.

Liam called almost immediately, his tone probing. "I'm on my way home."

I kept my voice even, just telling him to drive safe.

He seemed to relax. "You take care, too. Don't catch a cold."

"Liam," I said suddenly, "this year, for the holidays... can we tell my parents about us?"

He had always refused, saying the time wasn't right.

"Let's not," he said, his voice low. "They're already pushing you to get married. Let's not add fuel to the fire."

"Okay," I said with a small, hollow laugh, and hung up.

The fever hit me hard after being soaked in the rain. For the first time ever, I took a taxi to work. As I stared out the window, Liam's car sped past me.

My apartment was actually very close to his. But the direct route, Maple Creek Drive, had always been a traffic nightmare, a guaranteed thirty-minute jam. So I never expected him to give me a ride, and he was happy to maintain the professional distance.

It wasn't until today that I realized the road had been repaired for over six months. The drive now took ten minutes.

For half a year, he had driven past my front door every single day and never once offered me a ride.

And today, he was coming from the direction of Tina's apartment complex.

It wasn't on his way at all. It was a special trip.

At the office, I stuck a cooling patch to my forehead and buried myself in preparing handover documents. A familiar figure appeared at my desk.

Liam frowned. "You're sick? Why didn't you say anything?"

I didn't look up. "What's the point? It's not like you'd take care of me like a normal boyfriend."

Noticing colleagues arriving, I lowered my voice. "You should go. You hate being seen with me, remember?"

He was silent for a moment before turning and walking away.