He Promised to Stay, Then Chose Another Novel

Tears Shape Destiny by Dylan 2 Summary As the birthday celebration ended, Liam arrived late, holding a gift but with a noticeable mark on his neck. When Emma questioned him, he lied that it was an allergy, but she recognized it as a hickey, revealing his recent closeness to another woman, Chloe. Despite Liam's excuses about being delayed due to his thesis revision, Emma knew the truth from Chloe's Instagram post showing Liam comforting her. Hurt and betrayed, Emma tried to leave, but Liam grabbed her hand, promising to make it up to her, which she rejected firmly.

Emma suggested they walk together, retracing their shared memories from the school gate, hoping to confront the reality of their relationship. However, Liam's distracted behavior, constantly checking his phone and hiding messages, deepened Emma's pain. When she asked to see his messages, Liam avoided her, and she realized they had grown apart emotionally and mentally, ending their connection with a final goodbye. The next day, Emma's mother called to discuss her study abroad plans and hinted at wedding preparations with Liam, assuming reconciliation was imminent.

Emma firmly rejected the idea of marriage or making up with Liam, asserting her independence and desire to keep the situation secret for now. Despite her mother's confusion, Emma stood her ground, signaling the end of their relationship. Later, at a soccer game with her friend Sophia, Emma saw Liam on the field, sharing a warm, affectionate glance with Chloe. The sight was painful, but before she could leave, a soccer ball struck her glasses, injuring her and causing her to collapse.

Liam rushed to her side, alarmed by her injury and surprised to see her there, marking a tense and emotional moment between them. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter 2 As my birthday celebration came to an end, Liam finally appeared, holding a gift in his hands. "Sorry I'm late," he said, breathless. My eyes immediately caught sight of the mark on his neck. "Another allergy?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. He instinctively touched the spot, rubbing it lightly. "Yeah, you know how sensitive my skin is." But I knew better. That mark wasn't an allergy-it was a hickey.

A wave of conflicting emotions churned inside me, but I forced them down. "The birthday's over. You should go home." Liam looked uncomfortable, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. "I'm really sorry. I rushed here as fast as I could..." "I know," I interrupted. "Jason already told me. Your professor needed you to revise your thesis." His frown softened. "Oh, right! As soon as I finished, I came straight here. I just didn't make it in time." One lie always leads to another, and I was already aware of the truth. I'd seen Chloe's Instagram post earlier: "So happy!

Someone traveled all across the city just to cheer me up because I was homesick." The jacket she wore in the photo was the exact same one Liam had on now. He had been rushing-rushing over after comforting Chloe, too preoccupied to even change his clothes. This was the same man who once swore he loved me more than anything else in the world. A tightness gripped my chest. I turned to walk away, but he quickly reached out and caught my hand. "Don't be mad. I'll make it up to you next time." I pulled my hand back instinctively. "No need.

The elders say you can't make up for a birthday once it's passed." All I wanted was to leave as quickly as possible. I couldn't face this version of Liam-the one who claimed to love me but acted in ways that only caused pain. "What do you want then? I'll buy it for you," he offered, desperation creeping into his voice. I stopped in my tracks and looked at him. "Walk with me. Let's retrace every path we ever took together, starting from the school gate." He nodded eagerly. "Of course.

I'll walk with you as long as you want." || But throughout the walk, Liam kept glancing at his phone, a small smile flickering across his face every now and then. We had walked this route countless times before, but now it was tainted with memories of him and someone else. I tilted my head back, trying hard to stop the tears that threatened to spill. I didn't want to continue. He caught up to me and explained, "My roommates asked me to play games, but I told them no." I glanced at his phone. "Then let me see who's texting you." A flicker of panic crossed Liam's eyes. "The guys' chats...

they're not something you should see. Come on, I'll walk you back." He was so used to lying that the line between truth and fiction was blurred for him. I didn't confront him. "No need. We're not on the same path anymore. Goodbye." His phone rang again. He lowered his head and answered quickly. I fought back the tears that threatened to fall and turned away. He was too caught up in his conversation to even look up. "Go home and rest early. I'll come see you another day..." It became clear that when love fades, even pretending becomes too much effort.

When I said we weren't on the same path, I meant there was no chance left for us. The next day, my mom, Mary, called to check on my study abroad plans. "How's it coming along? Do you want me to ask Michael-Mr. Miller-to help?" I cut her off immediately. "Don't worry. I'll handle it myself." There was a sigh of relief on her end. "Once you and Liam come back from abroad, our families can start planning the wedding. I already talked to Linda about it..." I stopped her firmly. "There's no need to discuss a wedding. We're not getting married." Mom sounded stunned. "Did you and Liam have a fight?

It's okay-you'll make up in a few days." "You two used to fight all the time when you were kids, but you always made up-either you apologized to him or he to you." "You're adults now. Don't say things you don't mean over a little fight. Who else would you marry if not him?" I never expected my own mother to think that way. "Even without Liam, there are people who would want to marry me. I could marry anyone." A pause followed, as if she sensed something was wrong. "Fine. But how do I tell Linda?" "Keep it a secret for now.

I don't think Liam's in any hurry to get married anyway." Though Mom didn't understand what was really happening, she respected my wishes. After hanging up, Sophia dragged me out to a soccer game. "I heard there's a match today-let's go watch!" When we arrived at Willow Creek University's South Field, I spotted Liam on the field. After he scored a goal, a loud voice called out, "Liam! You're amazing! So handsome!" Liam immediately looked up and locked eyes with Chloe. Their exchanged glances were openly affectionate, with no shame at all. It felt like tiny needles pricking my skin.

I was about to leave when suddenly a soccer ball flew toward me. It struck my glasses, shattering one lens and cutting my eyebrow. Blood started to trickle down, and I collapsed to the ground. Liam sprinted over, alarm etched across his face. "Emma? What are you doing here?" Conclusion The chapter closes on a poignant note, capturing Emma's growing realization that the love she once believed in is slipping away, replaced by painful truths and unspoken betrayals. Her interactions with Liam reveal a chasm between their worlds, where trust has been eroded by lies and misplaced affections.

Despite her efforts to cling to the past, the weight of disappointment and heartbreak becomes undeniable, leaving her to confront the harsh reality that their paths are diverging irreparably. Amidst the emotional turmoil, the presence of family and friends underscores the complexity of Emma's journey, highlighting the tension between societal expectations and personal desires. The chapter's final moments, marked by the unexpected injury and Liam's concerned rush to her side, leave readers suspended in a fragile moment of vulnerability and unresolved feelings.

The fractured trust and the presence of Chloe add layers of complexity, hinting at difficult conversations and decisions looming on the horizon. Meanwhile, Emma's injury on the soccer field introduces a new element of urgency and concern. Liam's immediate reaction suggests that despite the growing distance between them, there are still lingering feelings and unresolved issues. This incident could become a catalyst for change, forcing both characters to confront their true emotions and the reality of their situation.

The dynamics with Emma's family, especially her mother's hopes and misunderstandings, also set the stage for further emotional conflict and personal growth. Readers will be left wondering how Emma will navigate these intertwined challenges and whether she can find clarity amidst the chaos.