"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."

Only now do I really understand what Jessica is saying.

"Could it be… you're in love with Liam?" I asked, staring into his eyes.

Jessica grinned faintly. "Maybe. We've dated recently. Since we were children, he's stuck with me. Don't be shocked, Daisy. Haven't you noticed?"

Jessica paused for a second, then smiled faintly.

"So I suppose you have to get used to not having Liam around. You're just a pit stop, Daisy. I'm the harbor."

I smiled at him, sarcastic but even.

"You're right. I do need to step back. Take Liam from me, Jessica. I don't care."

A shocked look flickered on Jessica's face, but she hid it quickly with a forced smile.

For me, the question is settled. Liam and Jessica? They were made for each other. Two disgusting humans who are meant to be together.

I rose from my seat.

"By the way, I'm sorry that I can't be your bridesmaid. My life is too important to care about silly things like this."

"I need to return to work, thanks for wasting my precious time, Jessica!" I continued.

Jessica scowled at me, but I didn't care. I picked up my tray, glared once at her with a sneering smile, then turned and left without even looking back.

******

I never went to the apartment again after that incident. I blocked Liam's number. Jessica told me what made everything make sense. I had to wait just seven more days and I could leave.

When I arrived at my grandmother's house, as usual, she welcomed me lovingly.

"Grandma, can I live here again?" I asked in a low tone.

Grandma frowned. "What's with that? You're home, too. Don't act like a visitor. Come in!" she replied, shaking her head. I laughed.

With Liam, I felt suffocated. But with grandma, I felt more calm than anywhere else.

Grandma, if I go to Harvard, will you miss me?" I asked her.

"Naturally, sweetie. I'll just keep on calling even if you're not an easy reach, like a celebrity," he shot back sullenly. I and grandma giggled.

"Relax, Grandma. This time I promise, I will answer all of your calls." I hugged her tight. She was the only one who was truly there for me since I was a little kid, since I lost my parents.

****

There were three days that passed by without even realizing it.

"Daisy, before you go to Harvard, you should go see your father and mother's graves. Don't you miss them?" Grandma asked me one morning.

"Of course I miss you, Grandma. I was going to go there before I went away."

"That's great. I was looking for a framed photo of your parents, but somehow it was missing. I wanted to give it to you."

"Oh, I have it, Grandma. It is on my side. I will look for it later, and I will give it to you too."

I had only remembered that the album and the pictures were still at Liam's flat.

"Grandma would like to buy lilies before going to the funeral," she said as she stood up.

"I will, Grandma. When I go out, I'll buy the flowers and get the album."

Grandma nodded. So I went out, bought two sets of lilies and returned to where I was said to have left.

****

I packed some of the important things, including my parents' photo album and wooden picture frames I had placed in my room. I neatly packed all of them into a cardboard box.

However, when I opened the bedroom door and was about to leave Liam's apartment, I encountered Liam and Jessica.

"Daisy, where have you been staying all these past few days? Your room is empty," Jessica asked, sounding artificially concerned.

I stared at him vacantly. "That's not your business. Isn't this what you desired? I'm self-conscious, especially since you're soon to be wed, right?"

Liam appeared confused and looked at Jessica, as if to clarify.

Jessica smiled faintly, trying to diffuse the tension. "Gosh, Daisy. You're too serious. What I said earlier was a joke."

"It was just a minor misunderstanding between women," she told Liam.

Liam inched closer.

"Calm down, Daisy. I will marry you anyway, while my wedding with Jessica is only hypothetical."

I smiled lopsidedly, almost sarcastically.

"A mock wedding? What is the drama that you people are performing?"

"I'm serious." Liam ran his hand across my shoulder gently. "We'll be legally married. But to the world, Jessica will be standing beside me at the altar as a substitute bride. That's all. I want you to be my real wife."

I blinked in confusion, trying to decipher what he was saying. "So, I'll be your legal wife. But people will believe that you're Jessica's husband?"

Jessica leaped in immediately, speaking in a soft yet confident voice.

"Yes, Daisy. I'm just going to act like an imposter bride. That's all."

I chuckled, sarcastically. "And what if my family came over to see you and discovered me living with you? What would you do?"

Liam sighed in frustration. "That's one easy lie to come up with. I'll figure something out. What counts now is that you accept this wedding."

I shook my head slowly. It was absurd to hear their absurd plans.

Jessica inched closer, slipping her arm around me in a comfortable manner. Her body was pressed close as if we were intimate friends.

"Daisy, please. I don't want to embarrass my family if this wedding is not going to happen. I also don't want to be the cause of you and Liam breaking up."

I remained silent, starting to feel uncomfortable with her too close gesture. The lady who had earlier angered me to resign was now on her knees begging for help.

Without saying anything, I pulled my body back from her. My movement, however, made the cardboard box in my hand sway and fall.