The wedding rehearsal was underway when Liam's adopted sister, Mia, suddenly gagged. He panicked and rushed her to the hospital. Half an hour later, the call came: "She's pregnant." I was about to say congratulations when his voice, frighteningly calm, cut me off: "It's mine... She broke up with her boyfriend that night, she was soaked from the rain and shivering. I just held her to keep her warm, I didn't expect..." "We have to keep this from Mom and Dad. I'll bring her home to take care of her until the baby is born." "We'll postpone the wedding for a year. You go explain and apologize to the guests." My throat tightened; I couldn't squeeze out a single word. He continued: "Oh, and you need to quit your job immediately. Mia needs someone to take care of her. Nothing can happen in these next few months." I suddenly laughed: "Okay." He hung up, satisfied. But he didn't know about the bet I made with him. If I wasn't married by thirty, I'd marry him. And today, happened to be my thirtieth birthday. ...... Perhaps my calm reaction was too unusual, because three seconds after hanging up, Liam called back. "Chloe, I'm sorry. This is all my fault. But believe me, I only see Mia as a sister. The baby really is an accident." I laughed self-deprecatingly: "Yeah, deep sibling affection. Keeping warm led to bed. How touching." There was a noticeable pause on the other end, followed by his helpless sigh: "I understand if you're angry. You can curse at me, hit me. But Mia is still in school. Unmarried and pregnant, and she can't even say who the father is..." "She's an orphan. Although Mom and Dad adopted her and treat her like their own, the Whitman family won't accept this kind of thing. They'll definitely kick her out." "So I hope you can claim the baby as yours. Since you'll be quitting your job and staying home anyway, no one will suspect it's not yours." Looking up to blink back the tears stinging my eyes, I said dryly: "Liam, let's not get married." "Not get married?" He was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly roared, "Chloe, are you annoying or what?! Weren't you the one who said we've been dating for five years and pestered me to having the wedding asap?" "Now the whole circle knows you're my fiancée. Do you think marriage is a game? Chloe, since when did you become so willful?" I could imagine his furrowed brows right now, and sure enough, the next second I heard him threaten: "Princess Chloe, I'm asking you one last time! Do you really not want to get married?!" My fingers gripped the phone tightly, and I gave a bitter smile: "Yeah, I don't want you anymore, Liam." He sneered, "I'm not in the mood to deal with your tantrums. Suit yourself!" The phone was hung up harshly. I stood in the middle of the banquet hall, under everyone's surprised gazes, tore off my veil, turned around and ran out. Liam's parents quickly blocked my path. His father, Mr. Whitman, spoke first: "Chloe, what kind of crazy fit are you throwing? Just because Liam took his sister to the hospital, you want to ruin this wedding? Let hundreds of guests watch the Whitman family become a laughingstock?" Mrs. Whitman huffed coldly and added: "I said long ago it wasn't a good match. The Whitman family has generations of scholars, the Carter family is just new money. Not a suitable match at all." "But Liam insisted, I couldn't do anything. Look, today it became a joke!" Mr. Whitman sneered: "Good, good! Not getting married is good too. Save her temper from offending people in the future and ruining the Whitman family's reputation." Clearly it was Liam who was at fault first, but these two came to blame me instead. I gripped the veil tight, my fingertips trembling: "The wedding was cancelled by Liam. As for the specific reason... you two elders should ask him. I feel ashamed to say it." Hearing that this was Liam's idea, they became even more self-righteous. "Even if Liam cancelled it, you as the bride ran away without saying a word? Shouldn't you apologize to everyone in person?" "How did your parents raise you? You don't even understand the most basic social etiquette. How can you be the daughter-in-law of my Whitman family?" I took a deep breath: "I won't marry into the Whitman family. If you two elders have nothing else, please step aside." "You!" Their faces changed drastically, obviously not expecting the usually docile me to be so tough. I ignored them and walked past them directly towards the dressing room. Mrs. Whitman yelled exasperatedly behind me: "Uneducated thing!" In the dressing room, someone was already waiting there. The fitted sportswear showed off his broad shoulders and long legs. The sunlight hit him from the side, outlining a clean silhouette. Only the dark circles under his eyes betrayed him; he probably didn't sleep well. Seeing me come in, he straightened up with his arms crossed, the familiar, punchable smile on his lips. I turned my face away: "Someone swore they wouldn't attend my wedding?" He suddenly leaned in, his warm breath sweeping past my ear. The moment our eyes met, I suddenly saw that stubborn boy from ten years ago. "Chloe, a bet's a bet." I pursed my lips and didn't make a sound. He suddenly got anxious: "You forgot?!" "I don't care, we're getting married in three days. If you don't come..." He paused, as if risking everything, "I'll go to the Carter family and become a live-in son-in-law!" After speaking, as if afraid to hear my rejection, he quickly slipped out the door. I suddenly laughed out loud. This idiot, of course I remember the bet. Our families have been friends for generations, we grew up together, we know each other too well to be lovers. Ten years ago, he confessed to me, I said let's just be friends. He looked hurt and insisted on making a bet with me. Didn't expect that in the end, I still lost. Chapter 2 Just changed out of my wedding dress, Liam sent a photo. All my belongings were piled up like trash at the villa door. The red wedding quilt my mom sewed by hand was the most eye-catching, stuffed haphazardly into a transparent plastic bag, the bright red satin hurting my eyes in the sunlight. "Move them away immediately!" "If you don't want them, I'll have Mrs. Zhang throw them away." I stared at the screen, my fingertips cold. He knew how to manipulate me too well. I could leave everything else, but I had to get the wedding quilt back. "Okay, I'm coming." My mom spent three months making that quilt. Someone who never touched needles and thread, her fingers were pricked full of blood spots. The night before the wedding, she smiled and stuffed the quilt into my arms: "Daughter, be happy forever." But when I rushed over, the doorway was empty. Only half an hour. I clearly said I would come, was he so impatient to kick me out? Anger suddenly surged up, I pushed open the villa gate and rushed in. The moment I opened the door, I felt like I'd fallen into an ice cave. Mia sat on the edge of the dining table, Liam held her waist with both hands, his cheek pressed against Mia's bulging belly, his eyes dazzlingly gentle. "Brother," Mia suddenly cried out softly, "The baby kicked me." Liam immediately pressed closer, the corner of his mouth raised in an arc I had never seen before: "So naughty, just like you when you were little." When he looked up, his gaze was so soft it could drip water, "If only the eyes were like yours too." Mia pursed her lips and smiled. Liam skillfully kissed her lips, his tone suddenly becoming guilty: "Have you really decided to leave after giving birth? Actually... you can stay, I can take care of you and the baby. How can such a small baby be without a biological mother." Mia put her index finger against his lips and shook her head: "Brother, if I don't leave, what about Chloe?" Hearing the name "Chloe", Liam was visibly stunned, then his face darkened: "Her? Saying breakup now is just acting out of spite. When the baby is born, won't she be begging me to come back and help raise it? A merchant's daughter like her only sees profit in her eyes, where is the dignity." "Did you forget how she rushed to be my girlfriend back then? That disgusting face, it makes me sick thinking about it now." My tears fell silently. It turned out that the confession I mustered up my courage for back then, actually disgusted him for so many years. The Whitman family is the top calligraphy family in the city, Liam is the youngest famous calligrapher in the city. Five years ago, he brought his handwritten calligraphy to my dad to invest in the Gu's Calligraphy Academy. My dad couldn't stop praising him and specially introduced him to me. I fell in love with him at first sight and pestered him to learn calligraphy. He pointed at me angrily and scolded: "Stupid, no talent at all!" I grinned playfully: "Then be my boyfriend, we complement each other." He glanced at Mia who was writing with her head down, suddenly held my hand, and laughed self-deprecatingly: "Alright." I jumped up happily and hugged him, completely unaware of Mia's back rushing out, and his instantly stiff arms. Now I understand, his heart has always held Mia. No wonder later he refused to teach me calligraphy, and even forbade me from entering the study. My heart felt bitter, I wanted to turn around and leave, but remembered my mom's handmade wedding quilt couldn't be lost. "Chloe!" Liam suddenly turned his head, sarcastically curling the corners of his mouth, "What are you doing sneaking around at the door? Your things have been thrown out for you, regret now?" I pinched my palm hard: "Where's my wedding quilt? Give it back to me." He paused, his face colder: "A ragged quilt, I care?" "That was sewn by my mom herself." My voice started to tremble, "Give it back to me, I'll leave immediately." Seeing me about to cry, he frowned: "You're crying! Are you sick? Is it worth it?" "It is worth it!" I roared, tears finally falling down. Chapter 3 Liam tugged at his bow tie irritably, wanting to speak but stopping. Mia at the side suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke anxiously: "Chloe, don't yell at brother, I asked the servants to put your things in the guest room." As she spoke, her fingers gently stroked her belly, tears welled up instantly: "Chloe, can you not move out? If it's because of this baby... I, I can get an abortion. His arrival was a mistake to begin with, none of you welcome him..." Before she could finish, she was already crying uncontrollably. "Let them try!" Liam's voice was almost out of control, he trembling hugged Mia tightly into his arms, turning his head to glare viciously at me. "She can leave if she wants, but don't think about touching my child! Now you and the baby are my everything!" "Chloe, if this is your purpose of coming over, please get out of here!" I sneered and walked straight to the guest room. The wedding quilt was carelessly thrown on the floor, covered in stains and vomit, the original dragon and phoenix embroidery became filthy. I pointed at the quilt with trembling fingers: "Mia, explain this!" She shrunk her neck timidly, "I didn't mean to, I just suddenly felt nauseous..." Saying that, she was about to bend over to pick it up, "Chloe, don't be angry, I'll help you wash it clean." But just as she bent over, she cried out in pain. "Ah! My stomach hurts so much." Liam rushed over violently and pushed me to the ground. The back of my head hit the leg of the bed heavily, severe pain exploded, warm liquid flowed down my forehead. I bit my lip without making a sound, just smiled and looked at Liam, wanted to see clearly if he had a heart. He hugged Mia, his cold eyes revealing extreme disgust: "How much? I'll pay! I beg you, stop pestering us, is it fun to torture me and Mia with such trivial things, do you feel accomplished?" My heart felt like it had a hole punched in it. He used to treat me coldly, but never looked at me with such eyes, he must hate me to the core now. Suddenly felt very meaningless, why bother to annoy him here. I compromised. The wedding quilt is dirty, I don't want it anymore. This dirty man, I don't want him anymore either. I propped myself up to stand: "Liam, I don't lack money." When I turned to leave, he suddenly grabbed me, a trace of helplessness in his expression: "You're in a bad mood today, go back to the Carter family to calm down for a few days, I'll pick you up in three days." I flung off his hand and quickly left this place. This home we built for years, I was just a passerby after all. ... Carter family home. The farce at the wedding, I've already explained to my parents. Seeing me back, Mom let out a long sigh of relief: "Daughter, Mom actually wants to thank God! If this was discovered after marriage, what would you do?" "The Whitman family always disliked us merchants for being money-grubbing, their scholarly family raised such shameless things!" Dad sighed lightly: "Don't talk about this, daughter is uncomfortable. I've asked my assistant to withdraw all investment in Gu's Calligraphy Academy, from now on our Carter family has nothing to do with the Whitman family!" I was hesitating whether to mention Alex's matter, Mom suddenly said: "By the way, Alex came today, even brought the betrothal gift." She took out a velvet box from the drawer of the coffee table, "This kid is quick in action." Opening the box, inside was a pair of heirloom jade bracelets. Only then did I really realize that the wedding in three days, Alex was serious. Chapter 4 Night falls. Mia sent me a message. "Chloe, come back." "I'll move out right away, I don't want the baby either." "You and brother have five years of feelings, can't be ruined because of me, I will feel guilty for a lifetime." I stared at the screen and sneered, if she wanted to make a fuss, she could go to her brother, why come to me. I replied two words: "Suit yourself." Then, simply blocked her. After doing these, I leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window in a daze, my heart always feeling a bit desolate. My phone suddenly vibrated, Alex's video call invitation popped up. "Chloe," he in the screen had bright eyes, "Give me a heart gesture." I stunned: "Why suddenly..." Heart gesture? So cheesy. "I don't care," he leaned close to the lens like acting shamelessly, "I want it now." Amused by his childlike expression, I helplessly quickly made a heart gesture, getting goosebumps myself first. He immediately covered his chest, closed his eyes and made an exaggerated intoxicated expression. When he opened his eyes again, he suddenly winked at me with his right eye. My heartbeat suddenly missed a beat. "Look outside the window, gift in return for you." He chuckled lightly hinting me, the video stopped abruptly. The night sky outside the window suddenly lit up. Hundreds of drones formed a flashing heart shape, then changed into a line of words: "Chloe, Happy Birthday" Tears instantly blurred my vision. Today's farce made me forget even my own birthday. But he still remembered, although a bit cheesy, I felt his sincerity and liked it very much. While Liam, every year on my birthday, he only wrote the four words "Happy Birthday" with a pen, not even signing my name. "My calligraphy works have collection value," he always explained like this, "If I write your name, no one will be willing to collect them." This year, he simply said: "Too busy preparing for the wedding, no time to write." But the so-called wedding preparations. Choosing the wedding dress was me trying in more than twenty shops alone. Booking the hotel was me comparing more than thirty quotes. Sending invitations was me writing more than three hundred personal letters late at night. The only time he participated was when I tried the main dress, he barely squeezed out five minutes to come, but stared at his watch to check the time throughout the process. Turns out his lack of love for me, was always traceable. My heart suddenly tightened, I urgently looked up and blinked. Too many tears have been shed today, at least on my birthday, I want to leave the last bit of dignity for myself. In my sleep, the phone vibrated, I groggily pressed the answer button. Liam's voice roared over: "Chloe, you come to the hospital immediately, something happened to Mia!" I woke up instantly, was the message she sent serious? Didn't even change clothes, I wore pajamas, stepped on slippers and rushed out the door. When I arrived at the ward, I saw Mia leaning well on the headboard, Liam was gently peeling an apple for her. The two were in a state of peaceful years, while I was wearing slippers with half a foot slipping out, like a clown. Seeing me appear, Liam suddenly erupted, violently dragged me to the hospital bed: "Kneel down to Mia!" I looked up in astonishment, before I could react, my leg bend suddenly took a heavy kick. My knees hit the ground hard, the piercing pain made me unable to move for a moment. "Liam! Are you crazy?" I stared at him fiercely. The rage翻涌 in his eyes was scary: "Mia cut her wrist! Almost killed two lives! Don't say I'm crazy, I really want to kill you now!" Mia wept at the right time: "Brother, I sent a message to apologize to Chloe, she blocked me. Chloe must hate me to death, she doesn't want to see me again, what's the meaning of my living..." Although I disliked her, I didn't want to get involved in human life. Busy looking up to examine her, there was a half-centimeter-long wound on her wrist, coated with iodine, already scabbed. This is cutting wrist suicide? A sadness in heart, I pulled the corner of my lips, "Liam, if I come tomorrow, would her wound have healed?" He exploded instantly: "Chloe! Why are you so vicious? If I hadn't discovered it in time... do you know what the consequences of excessive blood loss for a pregnant woman are?" This is probably concern leads to confusion. A tiny wound made him lose his temper, while he ignored the blood flowing on my forehead. He must love Mia miserably. My heart seemed to be tied with a stone and sank straight down, I frowned, wordless. This seemed to completely completely anger him, he threw the fruit knife at me, saying fiercely. "Since you think it doesn't matter, then make the same wound, taste the pain yourself, this is what you owe Mia!" Looking at him incredulously, this is the man I loved death-heartedly for five years. At this moment, the heart was totally cold. Isn't it just one cut? Just return it to her. Lowering my eyes to hide the tears in my eyes, I picked up the knife and lightly cut on my wrist. Mia screamed in fright. I struggled to stand up, put my hand in front of Liam's eyes: "Enough?" Fresh blood dripped down constantly. His eyelashes trembled quickly, glanced disdainfully. Then turned to comfort the frightened Mia, not forgetting to curse in a low voice. "Who made you cut so deep, really hopelessly stupid." I smiled silently, staggering to the door. He suddenly threw a sentence: "Chloe, reflect well in the Carter family! Three days later, I will pick you up." My tears fell while laughing. Liam, we, will never meet again.
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