Chapter 2

Joseph didn’t notice anything unusual and simply asked her, “Did you convince Hargrove Myers to go abroad with you?” “…No.” “Huh? Then you’re leaving alone? Doesn’t he mind? You two are so in love. Can you really bear to leave him?” Tia Brown gave a bitter smile. In love? That so-called love was nothing more than a performance—a grand show he put on to please May Cross. She once thought she had finally found someone to spend the rest of her life with. She had even planned to marry him, have his children, and build a future together... Looking back now, she realized how utterly foolish she had been! When she talked about having children with him, Hargrove Myers had probably been laughing at her in his heart. Laughing at her overreaching ambition, laughing at her pitiful naivety. "Tia, are you still listening?" "I’m here," Tia Brown replied. “Joseph, starting now, I don’t love him anymore.” “Did you have a fight?” “We no longer have any connection to each other.” She had asked her brother to help her book a plane ticket, and he consoled her, saying, “If it’s over, it’s over. I’ll find someone better for you in the future.” Her brother was heading to Europe for a long-term job, which meant he needed time to wrap up his affairs at home. So, the departure date was set for two weeks later. Tia Brown hung up the phone, wiped away her tears, and steadied her emotions before stepping out of the stairwell. Since she had decided to leave, she figured she might as well take care of her own affairs. Everything that needed to be thrown away, donated, or let go would be handled. After this purge, she would start anew as a brand-new Tia Brown. The liver surgery had been a major operation, and Tia Brown stayed in the hospital for a week. Her departure depended on her recovery. She followed the doctor’s advice to the letter, cooperating fully with all instructions. She even asked the nurses to buy her nutritious meals to help her recover as quickly as possible. When she was discharged seven days later, she was still weak but noticeably more spirited. She took a taxi home. The house was empty, save for a little cat that rubbed against her affectionately. This little cat had, in fact, been the matchmaker between her and Hargrove Myers. Back then, Hargrove Myers had shown up with the stray cat in his arms, claiming he didn’t know how to take care of it and asking for her help. Tia Brown had taken in the cat, brought it to a vet, and bought it all kinds of treats and toys. Hargrove Myers had visited often to check on the cat. Over time, the two of them grew close. Eventually, Hargrove Myers confessed his feelings, and the two naturally became a couple. Looking back now, she realized the whole stray-cat scenario had probably been a meticulously planned ruse. The cat, oblivious to it all, continued to rub against her, seeking affection. Tia Brown picked up the cat, stroked its soft, furry head, and then took it to a pet shop. She asked the staff to help her find a new home for it. The shop assistant was surprised. “Didn’t you say this cat brought you and Mr. Myers together? Why are you giving it away?” “I’m moving and won’t be able to take care of it,” Tia Brown replied. She had only baked cookies for Hargrove Myers once, and yet May Cross had harbored a grudge ever since. In order to appease May Cross, Hargrove Myers had repeatedly caused her pain. If May Cross couldn’t tolerate her, she certainly wouldn’t tolerate this cat either. Having already lost so much of herself, Tia Brown couldn’t let the cat suffer as well. Finding it a loving new owner was far better than leaving it with the Myers family to face May Cross’s torment. “Please find someone who truly loves cats to adopt it,” she said. The shop assistant assured her, “Don’t worry. When we find someone, you can meet them yourself. If you approve, they can take the cat.” Tia Brown felt a small sense of relief. When she returned home, she happened to run into Hargrove Myers, who had just been discharged from the hospital. He smiled brightly. “Tia, I wouldn’t be alive without you this time.” Tia Brown responded coolly, “You’ll be just fine.” “Thank you for saving me again and again.” Hargrove Myers stepped forward, trying to hug her, but Tia Brown felt a wave of nausea. She pushed him away and put some distance between them. Hargrove Myers looked puzzled. “Tia, what’s wrong?” Tia Brown replied, “I’m anemic—dizzy and nauseous.” “Let me help you rest, then?” “Don’t come near me.” Hargrove Myers frowned slightly and studied her carefully. In the past, whenever he came home from the hospital, even if Tia Brown had just been discharged herself, she would still prepare a lavish meal to help him regain his strength. She would dote on him, showing care and concern. But today, her coldness caught him completely off guard. Hargrove Myers stepped closer. “I want to eat your stir-fried liver. Will you make it for me?” Liver? Tia Brown thought of the pieces of her own liver that had been removed for the sake of his stray-cat schemes, and her heart turned cold. She let out a bitter laugh. “I don’t have the energy. Ask someone else to cook for you.” “There’s no one else here but you and me. Come on, be good. You cook, and I’ll open a bottle of red wine. Let’s celebrate tonight…” “Celebrate what?” Celebrate how May Cross had finally seen your sincerity and decided to come back to rekindle things with you? Or celebrate how I’ve been your fool, played again and again? Hargrove Myers noticed her tone of displeasure and asked again, “Tia, why do you seem upset? I just recovered from a serious illness. Shouldn’t you be happy?” “No. We’ve both just had surgery, so we shouldn’t drink.” Hargrove Myers froze, biting his lip in regret. How could he have forgotten that? “Sorry, that was careless of me. No wine, then. We can drink water instead.” “I told you, I’m not cooking. If you want to eat, go out. I’m going to rest.” Hargrove Myers took a few steps after her but suddenly remembered something. “Tia, have you seen the cat? Why didn’t it come out to greet me?”