After my failed confession to Liam, the Miller family shipped me abroad.
The day I returned, the entire family feared I’d seek him out again.
Even Liam himself declared, My biggest stain in this life is being liked by my adopted sister.
To keep me away, they introduced Liam to many girls. Liam welcomed them all, casually wrapping his arm around their waists and telling others,
“If Elara can put away her inappropriate feelings, I wouldn’t mind her coming back.”
He seemed to believe I was still hung up on him.
But this time, I had returned for one reason only:
To marry someone else.
The air solidified the moment I appeared at the private room entrance.
Liam had just rejected a girl who, having lost a dare, wanted to give him a kiss.
He leaned back on the couch, languid and self-satisfied.
Until someone finally blurted out –
“Holy crap, Elara’s back!”
Everyone snapped out of it, stepping forward in unison to shield Liam behind them, just like years ago.
They gave me awkward smiles.
“When did you get back, Elara? You should have told us! We would’ve picked you up!”
“How did you find this place yourself? Have you eaten? Want to come in for some snacks…”
I stood still, glanced at the room number, and smiled faintly. “No thanks, I must have the wrong place.”
The few people blocking the door visibly relaxed.
Just as they were about to say more, a scoff came from inside.
Liam reached out, wrapped an arm around the waist of the teary-eyed girl in front of him, and pulled her into his embrace.
He cupped her chin and kissed her.
“Breathe.
“A girl shouldn’t have to initiate a kiss like that.”
His voice was lazy, and the girl in his arms blushed furiously from his kiss.
She clutched his collar, trembling and nervous. “Liam, c-can I be your girlfriend…?”
Liam didn’t say anything. He merely glanced at me dismissively, then deepened the kiss.
His actions spoke volumes.
The girl was thrilled, and everyone else in the room cheered.
I checked the time on my wrist, turned to leave, but someone called out from behind me.
“Elara.”
I instinctively turned back. Liam stepped out of the private room.
Three years apart, his face hadn’t changed at all.
He held a cigarette between his fingers, his tone flat.
“When did you get back?”
“Yesterday.”
“Why didn’t you go home?”
I stayed silent.
“Don’t wander off now that you’re back. Go home and see Mom and Dad.”
Still, I didn’t respond. Instead, I looked down at my watch, a flicker of impatience crossing my features.
“Is there anything else?”
Liam’s gaze fell on my wrist, and he frowned slightly.
“Where’s the bracelet?”
I paused, surprised.
Then something clicked.
A hint of sarcasm touched my face.
“I put it away.”
Three years ago, when a guy confessed to me, Liam didn’t say anything.
He just led his friends to beat the guy up. Afterward, he silently took out the Miller family’s heirloom bracelet and put it on my wrist.
Liam’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed, his tone calm.
“It’s just a small trinket, no need to be so precious with it.
“Next time…”
“Liam!”
Liam’s words were cut off by a clear voice from the side.
The girl from the private room ran out. She took Liam’s arm, then extended her hand to me, a radiant smile on her face.
“You must be Elara, right? Hi, I’m Scarlett. You can call me Scarlett, or you can call me… sister-in-law.”
She seemed a little shy, glancing up at Liam bashfully when she said the last two words.
My time was genuinely running out. If I was any later, that man would truly be angry.
I didn’t have time to be part of these two’s little drama.
I quickly nodded at her and greeted, “Hi.”
Then I turned and hurried past, walking quickly towards the end of the hall.
Before I reached the corner, I saw Julian Sterling leaning against the doorframe.
He was dressed in black, his nose bridge sharp, his eyes hidden in the dim light, making his emotions unreadable.
His thin lips, caught in the light, were perfectly sculpted and sharp.
I quickened my pace towards him.
Taking the gift from my pocket, I held it out.
“Happy birthday!”
His gaze slowly drifted downwards.
“You’re late.”
I looked at my watch. The hour hand already pointed to midnight.
Today was over.
A flicker of annoyance crossed my face.
If it weren’t for those two I just ran into, I wouldn’t have missed it.
Julian wrapped an arm around my waist.
Pulling me closer with a sense of punishment.
My flight was originally scheduled for nine in the morning, meaning I could be back to have lunch with Julian.
But something unexpected came up at my university, delaying me until I rushed back late in the evening.
I’d promised to have dinner with him, but then I ran into more trouble.
It had been a chaotic mess until now.
The food had gone cold.
But the temperature in the air steadily rose.
He suppressed the emotions in his eyes, lifted me into his arms, and carried me out of the private room.
It was a bit cool outside. Julian hooked the jacket off the couch and placed it over my head.
The scent of cedar wood filled my nostrils, stirring my heart.
A low-profile yet luxurious Maybach was parked by the road. Just as we were about to reach it, a surprised and familiar voice rang out.
“Julian, when did you get back?”
Not far away, Liam, with Scarlett’s arm around his waist, walked towards us.
His tone was full of surprise, and even through the jacket covering me, I could feel his scrutinizing gaze.
Julian merely glanced at him. “Just got back.”
Liam teased, “My man, are you finally settling down? Let me see who this mysterious woman is.”
With that, Liam stepped forward, reaching out to pull the jacket from my head.
I instinctively tightened my grip on Julian’s collar, burying my face in his shoulder.
Liam’s hand didn’t touch Julian’s jacket.
Julian simply looked at him, and Liam eventually pulled his hand back.
“Alright, alright. You’re guarding her so fiercely, I won’t interrupt your moment. Just remember to bring her out to meet us next time.”
Julian didn’t say anything, carrying me into the back seat of the car.
Julian Sterling was one of the most influential scions in The City.
And Liam’s best friend.
I used to often see Julian and Liam at the Miller’s house.
Though they were best friends, for some reason, even back then, I always felt Julian treated Liam with a subtle distance.
Later, I understood.
His intentions were never truly about Liam.
The day after my failed confession to Liam, the day the Miller family sent me abroad, Julian followed me.
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