Chapter 2A World Away from Him

Just as the sky began to lighten, I saw Lily's new social media post. A photo of an elegant Western-style breakfast, captioned: "A new day starts with a beautiful breakfast."

In the corner of the photo was a man's hand, knuckles well-defined. On his ring finger was a ring.

The one I had saved up for three months to have custom-made. The only one of its kind in the world.

I commented directly below the picture: "A whore and a dog, till death do you part."

Not long after I posted it, my doorbell rang.

Standing at the door was a bouquet of vibrant red roses. I froze for a second, then remembered. Today was my three-year anniversary with Liam. After eight years together, he still didn't remember that I hated red roses. That I loved lilies.

An image of his smug face flashed in my mind—ordering flowers for me after a night with her. The thought was sickening.

My phone lit up with a message from him: "Happy Anniversary."

How ironic.

I kicked the offensive bouquet across the hallway and, without a moment's hesitation, blocked and deleted his number. A cake delivery guy, just stepping out of the elevator, stared at the mess in shock. He was holding a mango layer cake. A shame. I was allergic to mango.

"It's yours," I said, slamming the door shut. The "thud" was the only sound before the tears started streaming down my face.

What had I been to him for these past eight years? Less than a pet dog. For him, I had given up a prestigious position with the Forensics Unit in Veridian City to stay in this small town. Looking back, the regret was overwhelming. A man like him was never worth sacrificing my future for.

Blocked, Liam sent a message from an unknown number: "Don't be angry. You're talented enough to get a commendation on the next big case. Don't be so petty."

He still didn't get it. It was never about the damn commendation. It was about the betrayal.

Shaking off the thoughts, I started packing. The apartment was filled with his things; mine were few and far between. Suddenly, I remembered I'd left the autopsy report for the serial killer case at the office.

After some hesitation, I went back to the Crestwood PD. As I passed the squad room, I heard familiar voices.

"Captain Walker, you look like you've seen a ghost. So she blocked you? She'll unblock you eventually."

"This is the first time she's ever blocked me," he said with a wry, careless laugh.

"What did you do to make our ice queen so mad?" a colleague joked.

"It was just about the commendation."

"That's it? Does our top ME really need one more commendation? It was good to give it to Lily. Poor kid's been living in Claire's shadow. If it wasn't for you, she probably would've never gotten one in her life."

I walked straight past them. The noisy room fell instantly silent, broken only by a few awkward coughs. So, they did feel embarrassed when caught gossiping.

Liam rushed over and grabbed my wrist, his brow furrowed. "Claire, what is this really about? Can't we just talk?"

But I had no time for him. Because inside the forensics lab, Lily was flipping through my autopsy report, a strange smile on her face.

"Let go of me!" I yanked my arm free from Liam's grip, stormed into the lab, and slapped Lily hard across the face.

She clutched her cheek, staring at me in shock.

"Are you sick? Do you just get off on stealing other people's things?" I bent down, snatched my report off the floor, and glared at her. "Stealing my man wasn't enough? Then you tried to get my job right after graduation, manipulated Liam into stealing my commendation, and now you're putting your hands on my case files?"

"Claire! How could you hit her!" Liam burst in, immediately pulling Lily into his arms.

Burrowing into his chest, Lily started her waterworks. "I... I wasn't trying to steal it. I just admire you so much, Claire. I wanted to see what one of your reports looked like... I didn't mean any harm..."

I knew she would play the victim whether I hit her or not. I might as well get the satisfaction.

"Admire me? Lily, you have a strange way of showing it. Admiring me so much you have to take everything that's mine."