Chapter 3

I was taken aback.

For some reason, Liam, despite his childish demeanor, had eyes that were surprisingly clear and bright when he looked at me.

But the thought flickered and vanished; I didn't dwell on it.

I softened my voice, trying to coax him.

"Liam, since you've agreed to marry me, we need to go to City Hall first to get our marriage license. Only then will it count."

I paused, looking into his eyes, and asked again, seriously.

"This isn't just playing house, Liam. Are you sure you've thought this through?"

Liam didn't answer. He just clapped his hands happily.

Seeing his pure, joyful expression, a bittersweet smile touched my lips.

I drove Liam to City Hall myself.

During the process, Liam was a handful.

When it was time to sign, he held the pen and scribbled wildly, finally managing to scrawl his name crookedly.

When it was time for his fingerprint, he found the red ink fascinating. He not only got it all over his hands but accidentally smeared some on his cheek.

Liam just giggled foolishly at his smudged, cat-like reflection in the mirror.

Soon, two crisp marriage certificates were handed to us.

Liam clutched his certificate, his eyes sparkling, holding it to his chest as if it were the most precious treasure.

Stepping out of City Hall, I called the driver.

I gently stroked Liam's head, my voice soft.

"Liam, why don't you go back with the driver for now? I have something to take care of, but I'll be back soon."

Liam looked at me, confused, but nodded obediently.

I changed direction, heading alone to that bar.

When I pushed open the private room door, only Damian and Serena were left inside.

He was meticulously wiping Serena's mouth with a damp napkin. Her shirt collar was still stained with a bit of vomit.

I remembered Damian had severe germaphobia. Once, when I had a bad cold and a fever, I accidentally threw up on the sheets in the middle of the night. He woke up, his first reaction to flinch back, pinch his nose, and snap at me, "Cassidy, that's disgusting! Can't you go to the bathroom if you need to throw up?"

In the end, I had to change the sheets myself, struggling through my sickness, and he offered no words of concern. That very night, he went to Serena's place.

Yet now, he seemed utterly oblivious to the obvious stains on Serena's clothes.

Serena, somewhat recovered, her eyes hazy with drink, grinned when she saw me.

"Cassidy, didn't you say you were going to spend your wedding night with that idiot? What, regretting it already…?"

Damian's hand didn't stop, but he gently admonished her, "Serena, don't say another word."

Then he finally looked at me, his voice flat.

"Cassidy, you've learned your lesson from today, so I won't hold it against you. I'll make up the wedding for you in a few days. I need to take Serena home first; she's had too much to drink."

Seeing his concern for Serena, contrasted with the cold distance he always showed me, the already frozen part of my heart felt another stab of an ice pick—a dull, sharp pain.

The last ripple of emotion in my heart settled into complete stillness.

I nodded, then pulled the marriage certificate from my pocket.

"Suit yourself. But there's no need to make up the wedding. Liam and I already got married."

The moment Damian saw the marriage certificate in my hand, his face instantly turned ashen.

"Cassidy, are you kidding me? You actually went and married that idiot?!"

"I swear, you're crazy. How could you do something like this? What will people say? How am I supposed to show my face after this?"

Even now, all he cared about was his own reputation. After all, if people found out that the daughter of the prominent Montgomery Group abandoned him to marry an idiot, how much would he be ridiculed?

At that moment, Serena, still tipsy, scoffed from the side.

"Cassidy, I have to admire you. You'd go this far just to spite Damian. But if you want to embarrass yourself, fine. Why drag him down with you?"

Hearing her words, I found it utterly absurd. They were the ones who told me to spend the night with Liam. When I said I'd marry Liam, Damian didn't object. Now they're blaming me?

Serena suddenly dry-heaved again. Some of the mess splattered onto Damian's sleeve.

He yelped, but didn't push her away. Instead, he anxiously scanned the room. The tissues in the private room were gone.

His gaze landed on me, and he urged, panicked, "Cassidy, where's your handkerchief? Give it to me, fast!"

I froze.

The handkerchief Damian was referring to was one he had personally embroidered when we first started dating, with our initials on it. He'd told me it was a token of his love, and I should carry it every day. For years, I had treasured it, never letting it leave my side.

Now, he was asking for this precious keepsake so casually, to wipe Serena's mess.

My heart shattered into a million pieces.

After a moment of silence, I pulled out the handkerchief, my face devoid of emotion.

I didn't hand it to him. Instead, I simply dropped it at his feet.

"Damian, we're done."

He bent down, picked up the handkerchief, and, still busy wiping Serena, impatiently yelled at me, "It's just a damn handkerchief! Why are you making such a big deal? If it's dirty, I'll just wash it. I can buy you a new one later if I have time!"

I ignored his words, turning and walking straight out the door.

Later… There was no later for us.

Seeing I didn't stop, Damian grew even angrier.

"Go ahead and leave, Cassidy! Do you really think I care about being with you?!"

"You'll regret this, eventually. Don't come crawling back begging me then!"