Chapter 2

The car sped along, finally stopping at the entrance of a rundown, low-income neighborhood.

Liam looked at the familiar yet foreign sight and asked impatiently, "What did you bring me here for?"

I didn't answer. I just led him into the narrow, damp hallway, reminiscing as we walked. "This was your and Evelyn's first home."

"Back then, when Chloe Hayes was just recognized by the Hayes family, Evelyn was kicked out immediately.”

“You still insisted on marrying her, even cutting ties with your own family. When you were at your poorest and most desperate, you squeezed in here together."

"Evelyn said you both grew up spoiled. These walls seeped water, the air was so damp. You both broke out in huge rashes, itching so badly you couldn't sleep at night."

The hallway lights were old and broken. In the flickering darkness, I caught a glimpse of Liam's reddening eyes.

"At that time, the Sterling and Hayes families were putting on the pressure. You couldn't get any acting roles, and she couldn't find a job.”

“You didn't even have money for skin cream. In the end, you secretly worked as a day laborer at a construction site. The first money you earned, you bought her the most expensive cream."

After I finished, my gaze fell on his arm, covered by his suit jacket. "You put up with your own rash, couldn't bear to use any of it. You still have the scars now, right?”

“That was the first time you guys almost got divorced. Evelyn said she couldn't live such a poor life anymore and was going to find a rich man."

"She was such a fool. She was lying to you. We're here!"

My footsteps halted in front of a worn wooden door.

Knock, knock, knock. I rapped on the door a few times.

Shuffling footsteps came from inside, and a kind-faced old woman opened the door, looking at us with confusion. "Who are you?"

Before I could explain, her gaze moved past me and recognized Liam behind me. "Liam? Oh, my. I know. Evelyn sent you!"

"Come in, come in!"

The old woman hurriedly opened the door wider and let us in, her voice a constant stream of chatter. "Evelyn still isn't back from overseas?"

"Don't you worry, I've been taking good care of this place. Just like she asked, everything inside is exactly as it was. I know she bought this place for the memories. I've been waiting for you to come and see it!"

The old woman then turned very naturally to Liam, whose face had gone rigid. Her tone was gently chiding. "Liam, why didn't Evelyn come back with you this time?"

"When she called this old woman a while ago, she was still talking about you..."

Liam was caught completely off guard. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Only his hands, hanging at his sides, trembled violently.

Seeing him so instantly lost and broken, I answered the old woman for him, explaining, "Evelyn is sick. She can't come back for now."

The old woman slapped her thigh, complaining with a voice full of sympathy. "I just knew it! She sounded so strange on that phone call. Was the poor girl out of her mind with fever?"

"She was saying she was only twenty-two and strong, asking me to look around for any odd jobs. She said she couldn't let Liam shoulder everything alone, inside and out."

"I knew something was off right then. She's almost thirty now, and besides, Liam is such a big boss these days. She doesn't need to secretly scrape by earning pennies like she used to."

Whatever the old woman said after that, Liam probably didn't hear a single word. He seemed to be drowning in old memories, slowly shuffling into the only small bedroom and sitting down on the edge of the old bed.

The old woman sensed something was really wrong. She wanted to follow him in and ask more, but I quickly stepped forward, made an excuse, and gently persuaded her to leave for the moment.

Only then did I turn to Liam and ask, "Do you believe me now?"