Since that evening, I took great care to avoid Liam. Unconsciously, a week had passed and I had not even gone back to his apartment since his engagement to Jessica. He never made an effort to explain things to me, even just to persuade my heart.

I had a day off waiting tables today. I went to the mall and spent time with Freya. I spent some cash on shirts that I had been eyeing, and I laughed, at least for a little bit I did not think about Liam.

"Daisy, I'm starving. Let's go there!" Freya halted me and pointed to a restaurant that she had in mind. We had our arms full of shopping bags that we had collected from some shops in the mall.

"Are you sure you would want to go there?" I asked hesitantly. There was a tingling feeling in my stomach.

"Yes, you've never eaten there, right? Don't worry, I promise you'll love it," Freya assured me, before I could say something, she had already pulled my hand and taken me into the restaurant.

We had ordered food. At first, everything was fine, and I was relishing in the warmth of the restaurant. The food came out.

"How is it?" Freya asked when I put food in my mouth smiling in wonder.

"Not bad," I said curtly, hiding my look of surprise.

"Not 'not bad,' Daisy. This is seriously good! You haven't stopped chewing since before!" Freya was annoyed with me. I laughed at her tantrum, but my laughter later subsided when suddenly someone came to our table.

"Sorry, may I sit with you? The other tables are occupied, there's only this one besides you that is vacant." The voice sounded familiar, and when I glanced up, it was Jessica. She was accompanied by her friend, who was standing next to her. We were surprised to see each other.

"Hi Daisy. You're here too? That's great. May I sit with you?" Jessica smiled broadly.

I slowed down for an instant, staring at Freya. I scanned the rest of the tables that were around us, in search of a free seat. Oh well, just as Jessica said, the one to our right was the lone table still unoccupied.

"Come on, Daisy. Are we not friends? I just want you to share a seat. Do you mind?" Her voice was like insistence softly. I could no longer say no to her and finally nodded, inviting her to sit. Jessica smiled cheerfully and thanked me.

The moment sat, the air was too uncomfortable, Jessica waited for her food to come while I attempted to steer clear of her presence.

Jessica soon started playing with her fingers, but what I noticed was that she deliberately flaunted her engagement ring. The ring Liam put on her a week ago, the day I started working as a waitress to help fill out my spare time.

I was staring at her ring, Jessica smiled knowingly, as if she could read what I was thinking.

"Ahh, Daisy. Is that ring pretty?" She asked, with an arrogance that seemed to warm my heart.

"Good!" I replied curtly, not wanting to be annoyed. I hastily turned my head and continued eating my food, although it seemed as if nothing could possibly go in.

The tension thickened. Jessica seemed to be ignoring the emotions I was stifling.

"Daisy, I'm sorry. It wasn't I who took you away from Liam, but because our families wanted the engagement." Jessica's voice sounded as if it was regretful of all things, yet still one of those 'unconvincing excuses'.

"How are things between you and Liam now? All okay?" Jessica's hand clamped over my hand, trying to be genuine, yet everything was so insincere.

My eyes blazed at the hand now lying on me, then I slowly looked at her face. I jerked my hand away from her hastily.

"I'm fine," I said icily, without adding anything else.

Jessica leaned back in her chair, her intense stare fixed on me.

"Really? You're not acting about your feelings, are you?"

I remained silent, waiting for her to finish her sentence.

“If you're okay, why did Liam inform me that you don't come to his apartment as often as before? It hurts to see your room empty. I inquired from him… Liam simply replied, 'Daisy needs her own space.' But do not worry, Daisy…" Her hand touched mine once more. It was icy. She tilted her head to one side, looking at me with a serious face.

"I was tidying up the unwanted items there with Liam.".

The words hung thick with meaning like a sharp knife cutting deep within my heart. My jaw clenched. In an instant, I set my knife and forks down and chose to leave although I had not yet finished eating. I pulled Freya's hand quickly so that we could leave this establishment immediately. My mood shattered instantly.

"Daisy? Why did you run so quick? I just wanted to let you know." Jessica's yell was still trying to keep me back, but the further I went, the louder her tiny laugh could be heard cheering me on.

Feeling lost, I decided to head to Liam's apartment. Not to return, but to pick up some of my clothes. Following the meeting with Jessica, I couldn't deny the feelings that overwhelmed me anymore.

When I opened the door, I tried my best to be quiet. The apartment was quiet, and I knew Liam was not around. I walked in my room, pushing the door slowly. But once the door was ajar, Liam stood in front of the door, staring at me intensely.

"Have you stayed away long enough, Daisy?" His voice demanded a response.

I was shocked, left speechless for a second. My eyes fell, as if I couldn't bear to look at him. Liam moved a little closer, his eyes looking deep into mine.

"Where have you been the whole time, Daisy? You were the one who kept on insisting on this relationship, yet now you're avoiding me like I mean nothing to you."

For a brief moment the atmosphere around me grew cold, my mouth dry to answer him.

"Move out of the way, Liam!" I growled, pushing him aside frustratedly. I was in no mood to fight. I simply wanted to grab some clothes and return to grandma's home.

His eyes were intense, but I ignored it. I walked to the closet, pulled out my bag, and started stuffing my clothes into it. But before I could zip it up, Liam came over and threw my bag to the corner of the room.

"What do you mean?" I stood up, angry at him.

You want to go? Just leave and leave this place like that?!" he shouted. "Is another man following you now?!"

"If so? What do you need? Isn't Jessica already with you? I think this relationship is really meaningless," I shot back no less angrily.

Liam looked hurt, but retaliated quickly, "Daisy, I know you've been jealous of Jessica for a week now. I told you, my marriage to Jessica is business. I love you. More than anything."

Suddenly his squeaky voice softened, I mocked a laugh.

"This isn't jealousy, Liam. This is you constantly belittling my feelings. If you love me so much, show me. Break up with Jessica, end it with her now!"

He remained silent.

I stepped closer, looking deep into his eyes.

"You can't, can you? Even on the day of my ice skating competition, the most important day for me… you forgot. You were too busy welcoming Jessica from the airport, even after I reminded you every day."

Previously, I would have chosen to remain silent, to give in, to hold on to this relationship. But now I understand, what I've been protecting all this time wasn't love. but lies.

"From now on, we're done, Liam. This relationship is over. Besides, our parents don't even know about us, do they?

My tears fell, I no longer hid them. For the first time. I let myself feel the pain.

"What? No, Daisy… don't do this." Liam's voice was frantic, he was rushing towards me, his breath in short gasps.

I turned my face away, but he held my arm gently as if he was truly afraid of losing me.

"I'm sorry…really," he whispered.

"I was wrong for missing your competition. I don't know what I was thinking. That day I should've been there, supporting you, hugging you after you won…"

Liam's eyes started to turn red.

"But I chose Jessica instead. I also apologize for not being able to accompany you to take care of your family's ranch files. I... took your feelings for granted.”

I stared at him silently. Trying to look for the final remaining sincerity in his eyes.

He grabbed my hand, placing it on his chest. His heartbeat was pounding wildly, as if to reassure me.

"If you still feel even a little bit… don't go."

I inhaled. Before, this hug would have melted me. But now… I wasn't sure I wanted to stay.

Liam looked at me passionately.

"I know I messed up. But give me a chance. Just one. I'll make it all right. I'll come to whatever you want. Even to your ice skating practice every day if you want."

My heart was pounding. But I couldn't trust him anymore.

"You trust me, right?" he asked softly.

I nodded slowly. Smiling a bit like I meant it.

Yes, I forgave him. But only pretended to. Liam hugged me, as usual. But this time it was flavorless. Maybe… my heart could no longer sense his touch.

Besides, in twenty days I'll be going away. There is no point in forcing love that has lost its form.

"Then…" Liam let out a sigh of relief, then suddenly lifted up my body.

"H-Hey!" I shouted.

"I'm not letting you go anywhere, honey!" Liam suddenly picked me up and placed me on the bed.

"So.can I sleep here, with you?" He playfully grinned at me.

"No!" I willingly answered, then I pushed his body with all my might.

Liam's body fell over the edge of the bed and crashed onto the floor with a loud thud. He winced, rubbing his back.

"Aww… why'd you put me down? It's okay if you don't want to."

Liam tried to laugh. I gave him a cold look. Somewhat taken aback, but not sorry.

Liam got up, brushing his clothes lightly.

"Alright. If you want to sleep alone, I'll go."

He walked to the door, but before he went out, turned around. He came back, then bent, kissing my forehead.

"I love you so much, Daisy," he whispered, but I didn't say anything.

Liam smiled slightly before he gradually closed the door.

And when the door was completely closed, I just stared at the ceiling. Flat and empty.

No more pounding heart anymore. No yearning. No sensation when I'm with him.

****

The next morning, Liam made breakfast for me like he was really trying to win my heart. He fed me. And I fed him sometimes, just like before.

Liam took my hand and said, "Thank you, Daisy. We've repaired our broken relationship. I don't want to lose you."

I nodded and smiled, pretending along. I became the old Daisy again, warm, gentle, and submissive. In secret, though, I packed my bags each night for five nights.

I was happy I could attend Freya's engagement. She was smiling, and I forgot my grief for a time. We sat together afterward as we once did. I said I was leaving, and she cried and clung to me.

You're my best friend, Freya. Not just a friend… you're like a sister to me," I replied, hugging her back.

"Before you go to Harvard… I want us to meet often. Like we used to in the past," Freya managed between sobs.

"Yes, of course," I said.

But when I remember the moment that the ring was placed on Freya's finger, I can manage only a bitter smile. I want to feel the same. I want Liam to be beside me at the altar. But in life, my finger is empty. It means nothing.

I said goodbye to Freya after dinner. Shortly afterward, I received a message from Jessica.

[Daisy, can you take Liam. He's got a fever right now. He's in my apartment.]

I immediately replied and said I would go. I was just being a good girlfriend, at least for the time being here. But when I arrived at Jessica's apartment and walked towards her half-open room, I heard something.

"Liam, don't do this. What if Daisy discovers?" Jessica's voice was spoiled and breathy.

Liam's voice followed after the searing kiss. He sounded casual, and sneered.

"Daisy? Oh, she's my submissive girlfriend. Like a dog that always listens to its master. She won't get angry at anything we do."

My throat constricted. My body was like it froze at Liam's response to me.

I could clearly see Jessica's smile spread across her face, as if all her worries had disappeared. However, I was sure... She was just pretending to care about my feelings.

"Really? So... Who is more worthy to be your partner, Liam?" Jessica tilted her head, returning the kiss to Liam much more fiercely.

“Of course, you are. Daisy is just a backup… someone I use when I’m lonely.”

I froze. In front of me, they were wrestling shamelessly. Their clothes were scattered on the floor. They didn't even lock the door.

Turns out, I was never an option. Just a stopover.

I took a step back, not caring what they did.

****

When I arrived at the apartment, Jessica asked me why I hadn't picked up Liam. I smiled sarcastically, it turned out that the reason Liam had a fever and I had to pick him up was just Jessica's trick. She must have deliberately provoked me by doing that disgusting thing in front of me.

With a feeling of anger, I decided to pack my clothes, all of them. I would be leaving in two weeks.

The next day, I ignored Liam again. I busied myself as a waitress and occasionally went ice skating to vent all my anger through sharp and cold movements on the ice.

A week before departure, my room was almost empty. But Liam didn't even notice.

That night I had just come home from work. Just as I opened the door, Liam's hand immediately pulled me and pressed me against the wall. His breath reeked of alcohol, his sharp gaze locked on me.

"We meet again. Again, you've been avoiding me for the past week. Weren't we just making up? We were laughing like we used to and suddenly you're shutting me out again, Daisy!" Liam demanded.

"Get out of my way, Liam. I don't think I need to explain myself to you anymore."

Liam didn't give in, he grabbed my shoulders.

"I deserve to know, Daisy! You can't treat me like this. A week ago you were always texting me, asking how I was, feeding me breakfast. Then suddenly... you're distant again."

I groaned softly, trying to push his hand away. “Stop acting like it means anything.”

I pushed his body, Liam's body moved a little away. And he staggered back towards me.

"What do you mean?" he said as his eyes sharpened on me.

"If you keep avoiding me, then... I will make sure that the engagement between me and Jessica will never end. And soon I will decide to marry her immediately!"

I laughed sarcastically. "Isn't that your plan? Just do it! I don't care."

I was about to leave and ignore Liam but his hand grabbed mine, making me wince.

"I'm sure you still care about me, Daisy. It's easy for you to say that because you're jealous of Jessica."

I tried to release the hand that was gripping my wrist, but its grip grew tighter.

"Liam, let go. You're out of your mind now."

But he didn't listen. With one pull, he dragged me towards the bedroom, his steps unsteady but full of anger. I screamed, trying to hold myself up, but he was stronger. When we reached the bedroom, he pushed me onto the bed.

My body was thrown, and I immediately got up. But Liam was already standing in front of me, his eyes dark with heavy breathing.

"What more do you want from me, Daisy? I begged! I tried to change!" he shouted.

Liam grabbed his collar, ripping it open roughly, as if to show that he was losing control. I stepped back, panicked.

"Liam, enough. You're drunk. You don't know what you're doing!" my voice rose, my chest pounding.

"Daisy, I'll show you what love is like. And maybe this way, you won't avoid me anymore."

Liam pressed every word. Without warning he ripped my clothes off. I was shocked, screaming, but he silenced me with a furious kiss. His breath hitched.

My tears fell but Liam didn't care. Even both of my hands were in his grip, making it difficult for me to move further. This was the first time, he was rude to me after years of our relationship.

My legs moved wildly, then I managed to kick his body and immediately got off the bed.

"Stop it, Liam. You're hurting me! Is this how you're going to make me melt?" I sobbed, wiping my tears roughly.

"Daisy, I just..." Liam began to realize in his drunken stupor.

I just looked at him with a disappointed look then I chose to leave without waiting for Liam to explain.

"Damn it! Bastard!"

I covered part of my body with the jacket I found. Then walked, with messy clothes just like my feelings.

My mood soon improved when I met Freya. Meeting her made everything better. Her jokes, her stories that made me laugh made me forget my bitter feelings.

Freya even told me about her wedding date. I'm not jealous of her, in fact I'm happy to hear that.

Another unexpected meeting happened. Jessika came to the restaurant where I worked, ordering food alone. When I had delivered her last dish, she pulled my hand to sit with her.

"I have to continue my work, Jessica. If you want to chat, find another friend." I said coldly and was about to leave. But her grip tightened.

"Come on, Daisy. I just want to talk to you for a minute."

I was silent, waiting.

"Why didn't you come when I said Liam had a fever, Daisy?" She asked, looking me deep in the eyes.

"You know... He kept talking in his sleep, calling your name. I was confused because you weren't here yet. Then suddenly Liam pulled my hand into his embrace. But what happened... was more than that."

She chuckled, looking down as if reminiscing about a sweet moment.

"So... I'm sorry, Daisy. Something happened between us that night that I can't forget. Has Liam explained it to you?"

I was speechless feeling the blow in my chest. In fact I witnessed it myself before my eyes.

“Ah, you know… I don’t think he’s ever had it from you before. He really enjoyed that night. In fact… he said he wanted to do it again.”

I held back the anger burning in my throat.

"After that," Jessica continued casually, "he said he wanted to take our relationship more seriously. We're going to get married soon. So I think... your relationship with him should end."

My breath hitched. Jessica smirked, enjoying every second of my destruction.

“Then what do you want?” I asked sharply, leaving no room for hesitation.

"Oh, no! Don't think badly of me. I just... Want to invite you to our wedding. Can you be my bridesmaid, Daisy? But you have to break off your relationship so it won't be awkward when you meet us later."