Chapter 2

The moment I stepped inside, everyone’s eyes locked on me. A shared look of disdain flickered across their faces. I took it all in, though I plastered on a clueless expression as I handed Chloe the dessert she’d specifically asked for.

The next second, her face hardened, and her words sent the room’s atmosphere plunging to freezing point:

“Liam, the ice cream’s completely melted. You bring it to me now? Are you intentionally trying to gross me out?”

Before her words even finished, the dessert—which I’d waited an hour in line for and walked two miles to get her—was violently slammed into the trash can.

I glanced down. The ice cream was barely soft, it hadn’t melted enough to affect the taste at all.

Brittany, Chloe’s best friend, saw this and handed me a drink, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“You clearly don’t care much about our dear Chloe, do you? Why don’t you chug three glasses as a penalty to prove your sincerity?”

Others chimed in, their faces twisted into mocking grins.

I touched the bandage wrapped around my lower back, hesitated for a moment, then took the glass and downed it in one go.

As soon as I set the glass down, Brittany handed me another one, brimming full.

I frowned instantly, not reaching for it. That first glass had pushed my body to its limit. If I drank any more, something serious would happen.

I looked at Chloe, hoping she’d explain my situation. But she just watched, a cold mask on her face, with no intention of speaking up for me.

Brittany saw my hesitation and sneered, “Chloe, looks like your boyfriend isn’t all that devoted after all, is he? Just two measly drinks, and he’s dragging his feet.”

Chloe shot me a cold, displeased glare, then stepped forward and slapped me across the face.

“Liam, what’s your problem today? Usually, you can hold your liquor just fine!”

“And here I was, so kind as to throw a party to reward you! Is this how you treat me? You won’t even drink three glasses for me!”

At her words, I turned my head, my eyes darkening.

I’d thought that after I’d sacrificed a kidney, she’d change her usual bossy attitude toward me. But no, it only got worse. She completely forgot I couldn’t drink now.

I met her gaze, gently reminding her, “Chloe, my kidney incision hasn’t healed. Don’t you know I can’t drink?”

Her eyes flickered with surprise, but it quickly vanished in the dim light of the room. Then she said indifferently, “Can’t drink just because you donated a kidney? Do you think everyone in this room is stupid? If you want to avoid drinking, find a better excuse.”

Brittany chimed in sarcastically, “Exactly! I see everyone else drinking just fine. Why can’t you? Or are you just refusing on purpose? All this liquor on the table, it’s Chloe’s heartfelt gesture for you.”

As she spoke, a full table of drinks appeared, nearly a hundred glasses.

Seeing the cold indifference on her face, with no thought for my well-being, I immediately decided to turn and leave.

But Chloe’s clique wasn’t about to let me walk away. They ordered someone to hold me down and force-fed me the liquor.

The strong alcohol burned my throat and chest, a tearing, agonizing pain. I frantically looked to Chloe for help, but she just watched, a detached observer, as if I were a stranger.

Just when I thought I was going to be completely ruined by these people, Chloe, who’d been as still as a statue, finally moved.

The next second, she walked over and grabbed the glass that was being forced into my mouth. I thought she’d finally had a change of heart, that she was going to stop this absurd charade.

Instead, she said coldly, “Hold on a minute, Julian’s calling.”

The moment she answered the phone, Chloe became soft and gentle, like a completely different person.

“Okay, I’m heading out to get you dessert now. Wait for me.”

At that moment, a wave of dizziness washed over my head, and my consciousness began to fade. Just as Chloe hung up, I collapsed right in front of her.

Everyone else started to panic. Chloe frowned, glanced at me, then at the two-thirds of untouched drinks on the table, and said with utter disdain:

“Don’t mind him. He’s just faking it, trying to get out of drinking.”

“I need to go get dessert for Julian. I’m leaving.”

Chloe walked out without a backward glance. Brittany then kicked me twice. When I still didn’t react, she finally realized something was wrong and scurried away in a panic. The others, seeing this, also found excuses to slip away.

I was left alone, abandoned in the room. Eventually, it was the cleaning lady who called 911 for me.

When I woke up, my phone suddenly vibrated with a new message.