Chapter 4My Childhood Sweetheart Killed My Cat for His "Girl Best Friend"

I turned to leave. Liam chased after me fast, his tone helpless: "May, at least listen to me explain..."

I turned to look at him, expressionless. "Fine, explain."

"The photography club had an outing this morning. When we left, I left my camera on the lawn. Emily said she forgot her hat too. We went back together to find our stuff, that’s why we fell behind the others alone."

As he spoke, he showed me the group chat messages on his phone.

Indeed, forty minutes ago, Liam had tagged someone else in the group, telling them to lead the team back to campus first, saying he had to go back for his camera.

But how could it be so coincidental?

My hand tightened silently on my backpack strap. Emily followed over, looking full of guilt:

"I'm so sorry, Maya. Please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean to be alone with Liam."

Liam frowned, turning his head to say: "If you can't say anything helpful, just shut up."

Emily froze, a flash of grievance in her eyes.

"Sorry... I didn't mean it like that." He rubbed the bridge of his nose irritably. "You go back first, I need to talk to my girlfriend."

I suddenly wanted to laugh.

And then I really did laugh out loud.

"Liam, what are you doing?" I said. "Are you two putting on a show? Should I give you both an award?"

The sun was slowly setting on the horizon. The fiery light hit Liam's face, and suddenly, his eyes looked weary.

"Stop it, May." He said, "There really is nothing going on between me and Emily. We rarely get to see each other, let's not make it like this, okay?"

I fought back the choke in my voice: "So you added her back as a friend, didn't you?"

"Yes, I added her. That’s because last week I was sick at the hospital and my debit card wouldn't work. She covered my co-pay, so I had to pay her back."

Liam's expression went cold. He tapped his phone a few times and handed it to me. "Here, look. Besides the money transfers, have I said a single word to her?"

"You were sick last week?" I was stunned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were busy reviewing and taking practice tests, how could I make you worry? When we FaceTime, I want to talk to you, but you just brush me off to study."

Liam sighed gently.

"May, I know grad school is important to you. But we are in a relationship, could you spare some time to care about me too, okay?"

I held his phone and looked down.

On the screen, there were only two lonely transaction messages for sending and receiving money.

Apart from that, not a single extra word.

"If you're unhappy about it, I can delete her again right now."

Liam reached out to take the phone back. I whispered, "Forget it, don't delete her."

He probably heard the apology in my tone. After a moment, he composed himself and opened his arms to me: "Come here, give me a hug."

That night, Liam stayed with me in a hotel off-campus.

He kissed me for a long time, but stopped right before the final step, rolling over to sit up. "I'm gonna get some water to cool down."

In fact, because I wanted to save that for after marriage, in the three years we'd been together, Liam and I had never gone all the way.

But in this moment, an impulse from out of nowhere made me grab his wrist: "Don't go."

Liam turned to look at me.

Under the warm lamplight, his defined features looked incredibly alluring.

"May..." His Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "Do you know what you're doing?"

His voice was incredibly hoarse, his tone carrying a danger that made my heart tremble.

I retreated, pulling my hand back and pulling the duvet over my face. "Never mind."

Liam chuckled low. "I'm in no rush. Let's save it for our wedding day."

The next day was Liam's birthday. I went with him to the aquarium and took the scenic tram up the mountain.

In the evening, he called a few friends from the photography club, saying they had agreed to grab dinner together beforehand.

When we met up, I realized this group included Emily.

Just yesterday we confirmed there was no other contact between them.

But seeing Emily's smiling face, in that moment, an uncomfortable feeling inevitably surged in my heart.

On the way to the restaurant, someone suddenly stopped in front of us, saying to Liam and Emily: "I'm a photography student, doing some street photography. I feel like you two are a really matching couple, could I take a few couple photos of you?"

I turned my head sharply, only to realize that Emily, walking on the other side, was practically glued to Liam's arm.

She laughed out loud, saying through her giggles: "Sure."

"Sure what? Who wants to take photos with you?"

Liam said with a cold face, "Are you stupid? My girlfriend is standing right here, watch your jokes."

Emily looked at me calmly and naturally: "Sorry, Maya."

Even though she said it, there wasn't a shred of apology in her eyes.

Someone else explained to me: "Maya, don't be mad. Emily's just like that, a tomboy personality, treats everyone like one of the guys. Liam’s true heart for you is solid as a rock."

I pursed my lips and said blankly: "Is that so?"

In that moment, I just felt Liam was incredibly far away.

Even though the streetlights shone on him, even though we had known each other for fifteen whole years.

But his eyes seemed submerged in a boundless deep sea.

I couldn't see the emotions in his eyes, nor could I see his heart.

By the time I snapped back to reality, we were already sitting in the restaurant.

Emily was laughing and ordering food with the others, while Liam beside me was holding my hand, softly calling my name: "May."

"...Babe."

My eyelashes trembled. "Why didn't you push her away?"