Chapter 4Where the Moon Doesn't Shine

The second stop was Ashville.

My connection with Liam had a chapter in Ashville, too.

I had just been made a permanent employee. I went with Mr. Quinn and Liam to Ashville to finalize a contract. The night before the signing, after we'd reviewed the final proposal, we went out for a late dinner.

Suddenly, a group of masked men rushed out of the darkness. Their target was clearly Liam, and they were vicious. Mr. Quinn started shouting and fumbling for his phone to call the police.

If something happened to Liam, tomorrow's contract was dead.

Without thinking, I grabbed a loose brick from the pavement and charged.

We both ended up taking a beating.

When I saw a knife swinging toward Liam's head, I threw myself in front of him, taking the blow on my arm. He pulled me down with him as we fell, and the last thing I heard before passing out was the wail of sirens.

When I woke up, he was the only one in the hospital room.

"Was it worth it?" he asked, staring at me. "Ready to die for me?"

"I couldn't just... watch them hurt you," I whispered. "You helped me before. This time, I helped you."

I looked down and realized he was holding my hand.

The gesture felt strangely familiar. I froze. "Mr. Song..."

"Call me by my name," he said softly.

On the day I was discharged, the company was supposed to send a car, but he came to pick me up himself. He took me to the lake in Crestwood, his gaze as gentle as the rippling water.

"I've been thinking a lot," he said. "The girl who took a knife for me... if she's willing to walk toward me, I'll cherish her forever."

The setting sun stained the lake red. I reached out and hugged him. He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

Back then, he looked at my wounds with such heartache. Now, he just frowned at my fever patch.

After I finished the handover documents, a colleague nudged me to check the work group chat.

In the new project channel, Mr. Quinn had added Liam. He had posted only one message: The project is entering its final phase. Full responsibility will be transferred to Tina.

My colleagues shot discreet glances at me, waiting for a reaction. Everyone knew Liam disliked me, but this was a deliberate humiliation.

I simply typed, "Received."

It was for the best. It made the handover even easier.

I transferred all the materials to Tina, then submitted a request for sick leave. It was approved instantly.

I left my resignation letter on the desk, too.