Chapter 1A World Away from Him

The awards ceremony ended, and so did we. I broke up with Liam Walker, Crestwood PD’s golden boy.

"All this because I gave the commendation for the serial killer case to Lily?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Yes."

"Fine," he said, the smirk never wavering. "Just don't come crying back to me."

From the academy to the city precinct, we had been partners for a decade. Everyone said we were a perfect match. He was convinced that without him, I was nothing.

So he ignored me, again and again. Betrayed me, again and again. He chose a junior colleague over me and stole the honor that should have been mine.

But the commendation was just an excuse.

The truth was, my transfer orders had come in yesterday. I was leaving Crestwood for Veridian City, a world away from him.

This time, I was truly done with him. From now on, our paths would never cross again.

* * *

"I'm the one who ended it. I won't have any regrets."

"Do you even remember how many times you've said that?" He leaned back in his chair, the picture of nonchalance. "Was it the 97th time? 98th? Or 99th?"

He was right. I'd lost count of how many times I'd used breaking up as a threat. But even so, he and Lily Evans never stopped their little dance.

A colleague nearby chuckled. "Come on, Claire, what's the drama? You can't live without Liam."

I ignored them all, silently packing the belongings on my desk.

"Claire, stop the theatrics. You're not going to quit your job over this, are you?"

When I didn't respond, he strode over, grabbing my arm so hard I stumbled.

Just then, Lily's cheerful voice cut through the tension. "Liam, my parents want to take a trip down south. You have so much experience, could you help them plan an itinerary?"

The old me would have exploded right then and there, calling him out for his lack of boundaries and her for her shameless advances. But what was the point? Nearly a hundred arguments had only pushed them closer together.

Seeing that neither of us was paying her any attention, the smile finally fell from Lily's face. Her eyes reddened, and she began to sob.

"Liam... Claire... please don't fight because of me." She wiped at her tears, her voice choked. "This commendation... I begged him for it. My family... we're going through a hard time, and I really needed the bonus and the honor. He only gave it to me because he felt sorry for me. Claire, please don't blame him. It's all my fault."

It was a masterful performance, painting her as a pitiful victim of circumstance. If I pressed the issue now, I would look like a bully. Liam, his heartstrings thoroughly tugged, handed her a tissue.

Watching his tender gesture, the eight years of frustration and hurt I had suppressed erupted all at once.

"Do you two really take me for a fool? Liam, the night you didn't come home, it was Lily who answered your phone. She said you were in the shower."

"That black jacket you're wearing—that's Lily's, isn't it? And the white shirt she wore two days ago? That was the birthday gift I gave you. The embroidery on the cuff took me two weeks."

The office fell silent. Everyone stared at me, shocked. In their eyes, I had always been the gentle, good-tempered Claire Reed. They had never seen me this furious.

"You two are disgusting," I spat.

Liam stared at me, his face a mask of disbelief. "Claire, have you lost your mind? How could you say that about Lily? How could you try to ruin a young girl's reputation?"

Seeing him leap to her defense, righteous and indignant, I suddenly found it all laughable. Without another word, I turned and walked away.

All night, my phone buzzed incessantly. Notifications from Liam.

Restaurant reservation successful.

Hotel room confirmed.

Your takeout order is on its way.

Your Durex delivery has been dispatched.

He was just trying to provoke me. The old me would have already called him, begging him to come back.

But this time, I truly didn't care.