Part 1No More Stand-Ins, I'm Back.

After I left the country, every woman Liam Shaw dated was just like me.

When my name came up, his friends would always say, "She's Liam's unforgettable first love. If Audrey ever returns, none of these other women would stand a chance."

That was until Liam started seeing a rising young actress who who didn't resemble me at all.

Yet, she was the first girlfriend he ever publicly acknowledged.

That year, I rushed back home.

Everyone waited, expecting to see the 'first love' regret everything, hoping for the whole 'prodigal son returns' drama.

Even Liam subtly probed me, "Audrey, you've come back at the wrong time."

But they didn't know. I wasn't here to win Liam back.

I was here to get married.

The moment I stepped out of the airport, I spotted Liam in the crowd.

He wore a trench coat, his face looking much more mature than when I'd left years ago.

But the expression on his face was too complicated.

"They said you were coming back. I thought it was just a rumor."

I came to a stop, my grip tightening on my suitcase. "I'm back to take care of some things," I replied evenly.

Liam took the suitcase from me.

"Mr. Miller asked me to pick you up. Don't get the wrong idea."

I nodded and followed him to the underground parking garage.

On the way, I checked my phone. Our group chat, silent for ages, had absolutely blown up.

"Liam actually went to pick up Audrey? Is this for real? Audrey's back in town?"

"What about Liam's current girlfriend, that actress Chloe? Will he dump her?"

"Duh! And why do you think Audrey suddenly came back? She's definitely here to snatch him back!"

"Chloe? Please. She's probably just a fleeting thrill for Liam. Now that Audrey's back, Chloe would be lucky to even get a glance from him, mark my words."

"I've met Chloe. Don't underestimate her. Anyone who could snag Liam was a force to be reckoned with."

Liam also noticed his phone vibrating non-stop.

He quickly checked his messages and said to me, "Audrey, you've really picked the wrong time to come back.

"I already have a girlfriend."

My hand, halfway to the passenger door, froze mid-air.

Instead, I opened the back door.

"Congratulations." The single word slipped from my lips.

Liam slammed the car door shut with a noticeable force.

Only then did I realize that after all these years, he'd picked up smoking.

The Liam I once knew was a model of self-control -he never drank, never smoked, and kept a clear distance from the party scene.

But in the years I'd been abroad, I'd heard of at least a dozen different flings he'd had.

Liam's phone rang, and a sickly sweet voice came through.

"Liam, I'm so exhausted at the set, can you please come pick me up?"

"Send me the address."

"Love you!"

Liam hung up, smiling as he looked at me. "You don't mind if I make a detour to pick up my girlfriend, do you?"

"Of course not."

I should have never gotten in his car.