Chapter 3

Early the next morning, I took the copyright reclamation notice drafted by my lawyers to the agency.

The moment the receptionist stamped the "Received" seal, a wave of relief washed over me. I stared at the blue ink until someone blocked my path.

Liam stood there, frowning. "You surrendered the apartment lease? I went back to get my guitar after dropping Nina off, but the locks were changed."

I cut him off. "Yes, I surrendered it."

He swallowed his annoyance and switched back to that familiar, inducing tone. "Where did you move? Give me the address so we can discuss the new album."

"There's no need," I said coldly. "As soon as the termination paperwork is done, I'm leaving New York."

He glanced at the document envelope in my hand and rubbed his forehead. "Oh, Harper, stop making a scene. I know you're still angry about yesterday. Don't worry, tomorrow I'll bring Nina to formally apologize to you."

Walking and talking with him felt like a faint echo of the past. Since Nina appeared, moments of pure work discussion had all but vanished.

I closed my eyes, allowing the memory to pull at me one last time. Then I tested him: "After everything we've been through, you don't need to rely on my lyrics anymore, do you?"

He fell silent for a moment. "Actually, I..."

Nina suddenly appeared behind him, clutching a stack of fashion magazines. Her voice was sugary sweet and whining. "Liam, you promised to help me pick out stage outfits. Where did you run off to?"

She shoved the magazines at him, batting her eyelashes. "I saw your tour schedule goes all the way into next year, so I prepared some styling concepts. You won't blame me for taking the initiative, will you?"

"Of course not," Liam responded, squeezing out a smile while shooting a quick, guilty glance at me.

Seeing no reaction from me, the light in his eyes dimmed slightly.

I knew exactly what was happening. At the same time he was pushing me away, he was already planning a future in the spotlight that didn't include me—one that belonged to him and Nina.

My face remained calm, but deep inside, anger burned like wildfire. I dug my fingernails deep into my palms to maintain my composure. "Then I won't disturb you two."

Nina gasped, as if she had just noticed me. "Har—Harper? Are you angry because I'm working with Liam? I don't have your talent or seniority, so..."

Her voice choked up, and she began to sob.

Unmoved, I said coldly, "Get out of my way."

Whatever guilt Liam felt vanished the instant he heard my blunt words. He grabbed my wrist, his voice laced with anger. "What is this attitude?"

He yanked me toward Nina, roaring, "Apologize to her!"

The last thread of attachment in my heart snapped completely. I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. "The one who should apologize is you. Not to Nina, but to me—for wasting my time."