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.

The incident happened so fast. The cardboard box in my hand fell, its contents scattered. A wooden frame of my parents' photo... flew and hit Jessica's foot.

"Aaargh! My feet!" She screamed, swaying in pain. The broken frame glass hit the floor, the shards scattering. Blood started flowing from her legs.

I was shocked, about to approach. But instead I stepped on my own broken glass. Pain shot from the soles of my feet, making me stagger.

However, what was more painful was not the wound... but when Liam ran towards Jessica, kneeling down in panic, worried about her condition.

"Jessica!? Hang in there. I'm here!"

I held my breath. Wanting to speak. But before I could say a word, Liam stood up and glared at me. He pushed me roughly until my body hit the wall.

"Do you see what you're doing?! What are you carrying? Those useless things are hurting Jessica!"

I choked and shook my head slowly. It was a photo of my family that was very precious to me. The only memory I had left but Liam said it was useless.

Liam didn't even care that my leg was bleeding, didn't care that Jessica had elbowed me first and made the box fall. All he knew was... I was wrong.

"Liam... I..."

Suddenly Jessica collapsed, crying weakly.

"Liam! It hurts so much. I can't take it."

Liam immediately turned to approach Jessica.

"I'll take you to the hospital."

Jessica nodded weakly. Without hesitation, Liam lifted her body, hugging her as if there was nothing more important in this world than her.

Before leaving, he turned to me. His eyes were full of anger.

"If something happens to Jessica… I don't know what I'll do to you, Daisy!"

Without waiting for my answer, he left. Taking Jessica without looking back at me. Not asking a single question even though I was hurt too. All he saw was Jessica, always Jessica.

I crawled, picking up the shattered picture frame. The remaining glass stabbed my palm, but I didn't care. My tears fell, either because of the hurt, Liam's words, or the now-shattered portrait of my parents.

“I’m sorry… Dad, Mom… I dropped you…” I whispered hoarsely.

I wanted to justify Liam's attitude, that Jessica was indeed his priority. But the truth still hurt. For years I held back these feelings, pretending to be strong. But still... being ignored hurts.

A few days after that incident, I disappeared. Calming down at Grandma's house. But Liam didn't come. Didn't look for me even though he knew my grandmother's house. Maybe he didn't intend to be serious about this relationship.

And that's the reason he kept this relationship a secret from the start.

I was stupid enough to believe him. Including that day, at my so-called important ice skating competition. I thought he was going to propose to me. But it was just empty hope.

All this time I was the one who always gave in, always prioritizing him. But enough.

Quickly, I gathered the rest of my belongings. The photos in the album, the memories that were still there, I put them in a cardboard box. I carried them, even though my legs were still sore. I put them in the car, then sat for a moment.

After treating my wounds, I left. With Grandma, I visited my parents' graves. There, I stared at their tombstones. Missing the figures who had passed away.

****

That night, the ice rink was colder than usual. Or maybe, it was just me.

I stood in the middle of the track, wearing the old shoes that had seen me through injuries and seasons. On the other side of the fence, Coach Elena looked at me. Her smile was soft, but her eyes were puffy.

"Still hard to believe you're going to Harvard," she said, patting my back gently.

I smiled faintly.

"I'm not sure this is real either."

We embraced warmly and meaningfully.

"Don't forget who you are, Daisy," she whispered. "Keep shining and keep achieving your goals. Follow your dreams, honey. You're still my brave little girl."

I nodded, holding back tears.

"Take care of yourself, okay!" She let go of the hug. I smiled and nodded at his words.

After she left, I stayed.

Looking at the empty track. I put on my ice skates and started to glide, letting my body dance to the faint music from the corner of the room. Every movement, spin and jump, was an outpouring of my buried feelings. I glided fast, as if I wanted to leave all the bad memories behind my ice blade trail.

But my mind wandered far away. Thinking about Liam hurting me and the freedom that didn't feel complete yet.

Then, a voice broke my reverie.

"You are great."

I turned around. A man was standing at the edge of the track. He looked strange but somehow felt familiar. He smiled, waiting for my reaction.

"Can I join? Or... can you teach me?"

I hesitated for a moment. Then I nodded.

“It’s okay. As long as you don’t cry when you fall.”

He laughed warmly. “Relax. I’m ready.”

I taught him the basics. He fell down a lot, and we laughed every time it happened. Laughed out loud, a laugh I haven't had in a long time.

For a moment, I forgot everything. Forgot my tears when Liam's words hit me in the chest. Forgot the disappointment. On that ice, I felt alive again.

The night was getting late without me realizing it. My body was tired. I fell asleep at the inn, I don't know when I was taken there. The last thing I know, the man gave me a ride but I fell asleep in his car.

I tried to remember what went on last night when I woke up this morning. When I nodded to the man who brought me to this inn in a very sleepy state.

My body was numb, probably from playing on the ice for so long, falling over and over again, taking too much punishment for my own body. When I touched my forehead, it hurt. My head was throbbing, and for some reason my body was shaking.

I grabbed my bag and ran out of the inn. As I reached for the taxi door, someone stood in my way.

"Daisy? Where are you going?" it was Liam's voice.

I looked around for a moment. "I'm going home and I'm going to give this taxi a try."

My tone was frosty, slightly sarcastic. But he didn't budge. His eyes ranged over my shivering figure as I hugged my jacket tighter around me.

"Let me take you there," he said.

I shook my head. "No need!"

But Liam refused to move.

"Are you sick? Your lips are white."

Without even questioning, he touched my forehead, and then pulled back his hand in shock.

"You have a fever. Come, I'll take you."

His hand gripped mine so hard as if he did not want to let me go.

"Why are you concerned? In case someone sees you here with me. Then they will pick up other signals. And everyone knows you are marrying Jessica." I spat at him.

His eyes were locked. But I couldn't read his expression in time. My body suddenly went limp. My vision blurred.

The last thing I remembered. Liam panicked and screamed for me to address him by his name.

I woke up in a warm blanket. Still dizzy and tired, but the aroma of chicken broth filled the air, warming up the chaos in my body.

Liam's hand pressed a cold towel to my forehead.

“You’re awake, huh?” Liam’s voice was soft.

I looked at him. His stern face was no longer hard. The room was quiet, the only noise audible was breathing.

"Then what?" I croaked.

"You fainted because of a high fever. So… I brought you home. The doctor checked you beforehand, you'll be fine."

Relief slowly crept into my body.

"Ah, you must eat first. Then your medicine. I'll feed you, okay? I prepared this for you," she said, holding up a bowl of steaming soup.

"Liam, you don't have to—"

"Don't say that," he cut in gently. His eyes were deep and genuine. He spooned the soup, blew gently, and then fed it to me.

When he'd eaten, he brushed my cheek with his thumb.

Seeing him laugh, I too smiled. His laughter at sharing light things dissipated the disappointment that hung there. In some sense, the old feeling returned once more.

When he used to come and take me home from college, he sat in his car with a smile to greet me.

"Don't worry. I'm here. Take a rest, Daisy."

I shut my eyes. His touch lulled me into his arms. I felt like I missed him and needed him.

"Sleep first, Daisy. I'll take care of you."

His hug was so soft, the slap on my back was so reassuring. I chose to dissolve in the warmth he radiated, shutting my eyes, with serenity, wishing time would freeze for a moment.

Morning approaches. I woke up with a light head, my fever had broken.

Liam woke up who slept next to me.

"Good morning, Daisy. How are you? Are you much better?" he asked with a smile that always softened my heart.

I nodded.

"Yes. It seems like my fever has gone down," I replied.

"Wait a minute, I'll check!" He lightly touched my forehead.

"You've had enough rest and your condition is much better." He smiled happily, as if pleased to see my improvement.

I nodded. "Because you have taken care of me."

Liam didn't have time to answer. But his phone rang. It was found that there were several missed calls from Jessica. And there were a few messages which Jessica sent and in which the woman needed Liam.

I witnessed Liam get up and get up from my bed.

"I have to go to the hospital. Jessica needs me." I scowled at him in disappointment as Liam hurried away, the heat seemingly lost from me that instant.

I gasped for air. "Can you stay this time?"

He shook his head. "Sorry Daisy, Jessica needs me now."

And then I understood, Liam never changed. He left me.

I laughed with bitterness. It was foolish to ever have hoped for anything more.

I forced myself to stand, writing a letter in trembling hands. I took off the necklace he gave me and put it on my bedside table. Earlier, he wanted the necklace to be a reminder to keep him in mind and, in the process, also protect me when Liam was not around. But now I do not want to wear it anymore.

Freya and Grandma saw me off from the airport in the afternoon.

"Hold on well, dear friend." Freya hugged me warmly, tearfully from authentic sincerity, while we parted ways. We held on to each other like two siblings who did not want to release one another. Then alternately, I hugged my grandma.

"Don't forget to inform me when you arrive. And be in touch with me often," my grandmother instructed. Her tears could no longer be held, and so could mine.

I stepped away, waving my arms to release the heavy burden. The two real figures warmly waved. They embraced each other to encourage themselves, and observed me leave.

Now, I no longer cry for Liam. I have to move on and pursue my dreams and ambitions without him.