Chapter 1My Childhood Sweetheart Killed My Cat for His "Girl Best Friend"

Later, he stood in the rain all night, begging for my forgiveness.

"Maya, as long as you forgive me, I'll do anything. I swear."

I packed up every gift he had ever given me into trash bags and tossed them into the dumpster right in front of him.

"Then go redeem yourself in hell. How about that?"

* * *

It was the third year of our long-distance relationship, winter break. I was back home, FaceTiming Liam.

"What time is your flight tomorrow?" I asked, checking the schedule. "I’ll drive over to pick you up at ten. That should be enough time, right?"

Through the phone screen, Liam’s smile was playful and gentle. "No rush, babe. You can sleep in a bit longer."

I blushed slightly. "I just want to see you sooner."

Junior year had been brutal academically; the last time we saw each other was over the Thanksgiving break.

"Me too."

Liam paused for a second, then suddenly added, "Hey, I might bring a friend back to crash for a few days this time. She’s from the West Coast, never really seen real snow before. She’s curious."

I sharply noticed the slightly intimate tone he used when mentioning this person.

So, I asked, "Guy or girl?"

"A sophomore. She joined the photography club, and we’ve been on a few shoots together."

His attitude was open and natural, so I didn't think much of it at first.

The next day, when I went to pick him up at the airport, I met this "sophomore" Liam mentioned.

Her name was Emily. She was pretty, with a delicate frame and refined features, but her personality was surprisingly loud.

As soon as we met, she threw her arm around my shoulder, turning to ask Liam: "Liam, bro, what do I call your girlfriend? Do I have to call her 'The Missus'?"

Uncomfortable with such immediate intimacy from a stranger, I frowned slightly and looked at Liam.

He noticed my discomfort right away and swatted Emily's hand off my shoulder.

"Knock it off. My girlfriend isn't into that. She’s the same year as me, just call her Maya."

Emily clutched the back of her hand, seeming stunned for two seconds, then obediently called out, "Maya."

On the drive back, Liam asked me, "How’s Mochi doing?"

"Got fat again. My mom said I need to play with him more and cut down on the wet food."

Liam leaned back against the seat, laughing. "He just has no limits when it comes to eating. I’ll see him in a bit. Haven't seen him all semester, wonder if Mochi still recognizes me."

Just as I was about to reply, Emily suddenly interjected from the back seat: "Liam, who's Mochi?"

"A cat we found together back in middle school. He’s always lived at Maya's house."

Before leaving, I had specially placed a bottle of his favorite craft soda in the center console cup holder.

He took a sip and placed it back into the side door pocket.

Yet, not long after, Emily naturally reached over, grabbed that same bottle, twisted it open, and took several large gulps.

I saw this happen in the rearview mirror. My hands instinctively tightened on the steering wheel.

"Oops, grabbed it out of habit. My dad always puts his water there."

Liam chuckled, not touching the bottle again. "Don't go mistaking me for your dad now."

While stopped at a red light, I turned to glare at him. Liam reached over, covering my hand on the steering wheel, and whispered: "Haven't seen you in months, why are you glaring at me already?"

The slight irritation I felt vanished at his touch.

I shook my head gently and said, "My mom went out early to buy ingredients for her pot roast. She says you definitely miss her cooking. She’s never made this much of a fuss even when I come home."

"Oh—" Liam dragged out the syllable. "So, is my little May jealous? Think your mom likes me better?"

"Liam!"

"Okay, okay." He rubbed the top of my head like he was petting a cat. "My mom prefers you too, always has. Every time you come over, she cooks a feast with zero spice. I have to get my own hot sauce just to eat."

I admit, bringing up the past with Liam always carried a bit of intentionality.

Maybe it was intuition, but from the very first glance, I didn't really like Emily.

Obviously, Liam sensed this too. When we parked, he took advantage of Emily getting out of the car to lean into my ear.

"Upset? Don't worry, she's just a regular friend. Absolutely nothing will shake my May's supreme position in my heart."

After we got out of the car, Emily suddenly smiled and said, "You two have such a great relationship."

"Jealous?" Liam looked back at her. "If you're jealous, go find your own boyfriend."

"I wouldn't dare. Too many toxic guys out there, I'm afraid I can't spot the red flags. But... if it were someone like you, Liam, I totally would!"

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Bring any prospects around, I'll vet them for you."

The hotel Emily booked wasn't far from our neighborhood.

After parting ways, I pursed my lips and walked ahead.

Liam caught up and grabbed my wrist, making a pitiful face: "Did your loyal subject upset the Princess again? We agreed on a big hug when we met, haven't had that hug today."

I stopped and turned to look at him. "Wasn't that because I was afraid hugging would trigger your little friend?"

Before I finished speaking, Liam grabbed my waist and pulled me into his arms.

"Forget her." He buried his face in the crook of my neck, whispering, "Three months apart. I missed kissing you so much."