Chapter 4

The caption read, "I was craving cherries, and someone immediately bought me a whole box. Baby and I are definitely feeling spoiled!"

The comments were full of congratulations and people saying how jealous they were.

I looked around the quiet apartment and laughed bitterly to myself.

We had both been pregnant, but while Liam catered to Victoria's every need, I had gone to the hospital alone for an abortion. He didn't even know I'd been pregnant.

In the past, a post like this would've sent me spiraling. I would've been so hurt that I'd probably have cried my eyes out. But this time, I felt surprisingly calm.

I liked her post and left a comment. "Wishing you both a long and happy life together."

Then I called Julian. "Julian, I want to move back home."

He picked up almost immediately. "I'll come get you right now."

"Okay. See you soon," I said softly.

I'd barely hung up when Liam's low voice sounded behind me. "Who are you meeting? And what's with the suitcase?"

I froze. I had no idea when he'd gotten back or why he was home so early. The last time Victoria had so much as sprained her ankle, he'd stayed with her all night.

When I didn't answer, his expression darkened. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

I looked at him coldly. "It's none of your business."

I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door, but Liam caught my arm.

He frowned. "I already told you, Victoria and I were only putting on an act. So why did you have to leave that sarcastic comment on her post?"

A chill settled over me.

So that was why he'd rushed home. He'd come back to confront me on Victoria's behalf.

I expected him to lose his temper like he usually did and start throwing things around. Instead, he suddenly laughed and ruffled my hair.

"Come on, don't be mad. Are you really that jealous? You even packed your bags just to get back at me? You really went all out. I swear, everything that happened today was just for show.

"That proposal was supposed to be for you. Victoria came to me at the last minute and begged me to help her. I couldn't bring myself to say no, so I changed the plan. If you don't believe me, look. Your name is engraved inside the ring!"

Liam pulled out the same diamond ring Victoria had worn earlier that day. Then he dropped to one knee and looked up at me, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Natalie, will you marry me?"

If this had happened before, I would've been moved to tears and said yes without a second thought. But now, all I could think about was the fact that he'd already slipped that ring onto Victoria's finger.

The thought made me sick.

I scoffed, took the ring from him, and tossed it straight into the trash.

Liam's lips pressed into a thin line, and his expression hardened. "Natalie, what's that supposed to mean?"

I gave him a flat look. "I don't do secondhand. Not rings, and definitely not men. Liam, we're done!"

Liam's face darkened, his expression grim. "Done? Are you finished throwing your tantrum yet?"

I ignored him, grabbed my suitcase, and headed for the door.

Liam strode after me and blocked my path, his jaw clenched. "You're actually leaving? Natalie, keep this up, and it won't be funny anymore."

I looked at him coldly. "Do I look like I'm joking? I don't have time to keep playing along with your little act."

That finally made him realize I was serious. He held my suitcase down, refusing to let go. "You're moving out over one fake proposal with Victoria? Natalie, when did you become this petty?"

I couldn't even be bothered to answer.

As we struggled over the suitcase, the paperwork from my procedure slipped out of my pocket and fell to the floor. Liam moved faster than I did. He bent down and picked it up.

The moment he saw what was written on the page, his expression turned serious.