7 . During my vacation , Rhys Sterling invited to dinner at a newly opened restaurant downtown . I hesitated for a moment but event He was as happy as a child , sending " No backing out ! " " Backing out makes you a puppy ! " a of emojis : I could only smile wryly at his messages . The restaurant was exquisitely decorated , with warm yellow lights spilling onto the tables , making Rhys Sterling's eyes sparkle . He wore a black casual suit today , his hair neatly brushed back from his forehead , giving him a " Chloe Miller , try this ." He picked up a piece of sweet and sour ribs and placed it on my plate . " I heard it's their signature dish . " sharper , more striking look than usual . I was about to thank him when my peripheral vision caught a familiar figure walking through the door . Liam Donovan . After a few months apart , he looked much thinner , his face considerably paler . He saw me too , his gaze instantly freezing . The next second , he walked straight to our table . " Chloe Miller " His voice trembled slightly . " I finally found you ! " Rhys Sterling looked at me , then at Liam , a confused expression on his face . I put down my fork and said calmly , " Long time no see . " Liam's tears suddenly fell . " Can I talk to you alone ? Just five minutes . " Rhys Sterling , sensing the tension , tactfully stood up . " You two talk . I'll go to the restroom ." Liam sat in Rhys Sterling's chair , his fingers tightly clutching a napkin . " Chloe Miller , I was wrong ... I was truly wrong . " His tears splattered on the table . " Amber ... she wasn't sincere with me at all . " " She's with someone else , and she said I was too annoying ... " I watched him silently , feeling not a single ripple of emotion . "So ? " " Excuse me , but what does any of this have to do with me ? " " Can we start over ? " He grabbed my hand , his fingertips ice cold . " I regret it , Chloe Miller ." " Honestly , these past few months , I've thought about you every single day ... " I gently pulled my hand away . " Liam Donovan , we're over . " " No ! " He shook his head violently . " You still like me , don't you ? You're just angry ! " " Sorry , I stopped being angry a long time ago ." I smiled . " Because I don't care anymore . " His face instantly turned ashen . Just then , Rhys Sterling returned , holding two hot milk teas . " Here you go . " He handed one to me , then looked at Liam . < " Would you like one ? " Liam stared fiercely at him . Suddenly , he stood up , his voice sharp : " Who are you ? " Rhys Sterling paused , then smiled . " I'm Chloe Miller's fiancé . " " We're getting married soon ." I looked at him in surprise , but he subtly winked at me . Liam looked like he'd been struck by lightning , staggering back two steps . " So ... so you already... " His tears streamed down uncontrollably . " Chloe Miller , you're truly heartless . " With that , he turned and rushed out of the restaurant . Rhys Sterling sat down and smiled at me . " Sorry , I took the liberty ." I shook my head and couldn't help but smile . " Regardless , thank you ." " You're welcome . " He propped his chin on his hand , his eyes sparkling . " If you're willing , I'm ready to get married anytime ." Outside the window , the setting sun's rays fell on his profile . I suddenly realized his smile was warmer than anyone I remembered . I thought Liam Donovan would give up after that . But the next day , he showed up directly at my company . He stood at the company entrance , his face pale . Dark circles hung heavy under his eyes , and he had lost so much weight . His once bright eyes were now dull and lifeless . He tightly clutched a thermos . When he saw me , he immediately forced a placating smile . " Chloe Miller , I ... I made your favorite ribs soup " His voice was hoarse , as if he'd been crying for a long time . 1 frowned , not reaching out to take it I frowned , not reaching out to take it . " You don't have to do this . " My voice was cold . " We're over . " His smile froze on his face , his fingers trembling slightly . But he still stubbornly pushed it forward : " I stayed up all night making it . Please , just taste it ? You used to always say ... " " Liam Donovan ." I cut him off . " Don't talk about the past anymore ." " We're over . " His eyes instantly reddened . His lips trembled , as if he wanted to say something , but swallowed it back . Finally , he lowered his head and whispered , " Okay ... Then , I'll come back tomorrow . " For the next ten days , he came every day . Sometimes he brought food , sometimes he just stood far away , watching me , his gaze humble yet persistent . Colleagues started to gossip . Some sympathized with him , others mocked him for getting what he deserved . Until one day , I finally couldn't take it anymore and stopped him on the campus's tree - lined path . " What exactly do you want ? " My voice was icy . He flinched but still bravely looked up at me . " Chloe Miller , I truly know I was wrong ... Can you , can you please give me another chance ? " " Impossible . " I answered firmly . His tears welled up instantly . He choked out , " Then ... then what do I have to do for you to forgive me ? I can change , I can give up everything , I just beg to be by your side ... " " Liam Donovan . " I cut him off . " Give up . We can never go back . " His body swayed , as if all his strength had been drained . Finally , he slowly sank to the ground , wrapped his arms around his knees , and wept silently . I didn't help him up , and I turned and walked away .