Chapter 8
I clicked my tongue in annoyance, my face showing indifference.
“Only a fool would take a meaningless promise from years ago seriously.”
After I spoke. Caleb stood frozen for a few seconds, looking lost. Finally, he spoke.
“Whitney, remember what you said today. When you regret it, I won’t change my mind even if you beg me!”
He started the car and drove off.
Once the jerk was gone, I happily returned to my best friend, where we spent the rest of the night chatting and listening to music.
Two weeks later, I ran into someone unexpectedly at a supermarket near my home.
“Liam?”
When I hesitantly called his name, the tall, handsome man reached out and ruffled my hair, just like he used to.
“It’s been a while, Whitney.”
Even though years had passed, Liam Fletcher still looked at me with the same warmth and affection.
We’d known each other since childhood.
As my next–door neighbor, he’d always treated me like a little sister,
cleaning up my messes and being kind.
I stepped forward and gently tapped his shoulder, my eyes a little teary. “I thought you settled abroad. Why didn’t you tell me you were back? I could’ve picked you up.”
Liam smiled and shrugged. “My parents don’t know I’m back yet.”
“Ah? So why would you…”
“Your sister told me you’ve decided to stay with your parents and won’t be leaving.”
He paused for a moment and then added, “So, I’m back too.”
Without waiting for my response, he grabbed the shopping cart from me and quietly walked through the store with me.
Later, he carried the shopping bags, and we walked back to my community in the golden light of sunset.
When I was about to go upstairs, he asked me to wait a second.
In less than two minutes, Liam came back holding a small package.
“Whitney, here’s your favorite bitter chocolate.”
When I saw the childhood treat I hadn’t had in so long, I was momentarily stunned. Then, I smiled and reached for it.
But before I could grab it, a familiar man grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his embrace.
“Caleb? What are you doing here?”
I froze, shocked by his sudden appearance.
Caleb didn’t respond to my question. Instead, he just dragged me toward
his car.
Panicking, I struggled and called out instinctively, “Liam!”
Liam acted fast, dropping everything and rushing to hold my other arm.
Seeing that. Caleb glared at Liam’s hand on me with a dark look I had never seen before. He gritted his teeth and said, “Liam?
“Whitney, we’ve only been apart for less than a month! How could you cheat on me?”
I was shocked to hear that. Then, I stared at him speechlessly.
“Are you out of your mind? What cheating? What does this have to do with you?”
As I struggled to break free from him, Caleb’s face darkened.
“Whitney. I came here to propose to you today. So stop acting out.
“If this cold war continues, you’ll be the one to suffer in the end.”
With that. Caleb held me tightly and reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a heart–shaped box, his eyes wild with excitement.
But when he opened it, he was shocked to find it was empty.