Chapter 7

I knew the bodyguard was speaking the truth. For the first time, I hated myself for marrying Julian Thorne. Not only had I endured endless humiliation, but I'd also dragged my best friends into this!

I took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions, my gaze resolute: "Alright, I'll give you your answer!"

I snatched up a decorative metal rod nearby and, under the shocked gaze of everyone and my friends, brought it down hard on my left wrist!

A sharp *crack*! Excruciating pain instantly flared, and my left hand fell limp.

"Elara!" My friends cried out in dismay, rushing over to support me.

My face was ashen, cold sweat pouring down me, but I forced myself to say to the bodyguard: "Now, you can go report back, right? I took this blow for my friends!"

The bodyguard gave me a complicated look, then finally said nothing more and turned to leave.

"Why are you so foolish!" My friends were heartbroken, hurriedly helping me up. "We could have fought them!"

"We can't win against them…" I shook my head weakly, my lips trembling from the pain. "It's alright, my hand… my hand can be fixed…"

My friends were distraught. They quickly helped me out, preparing to take me to the hospital to get my hand treated.

Just as we stepped out of the bar, we suddenly heard a fierce argument coming from the second-floor balcony.

I instinctively looked up and saw Chloe, somehow, had climbed onto the balcony edge, swaying precariously!

"Don't come any closer! I haven't forgiven you! If you take another step, I'll jump!" Chloe cried out.

Julian Thorne stood a few steps away, his usually calm and composed face showed a rare panic: "Chloe! Don't do anything foolish! Come down! Anything you want, I'll do it!"

"Really, anything?" Chloe asked, sobbing.

"Really! Even if it means my life!"

Listening from below, I felt both absurd and chilling.

How much did he love Chloe to accept even such a ridiculous threat?

Just then, seemingly appeased by Julian, Chloe carefully tried to step down from the balcony edge, but suddenly her foot slipped!

"Ah—!"

Amidst everyone's horrified gasps, Chloe plummeted straight down from the second floor!

And directly below, was me, who had just stepped out the door!

CRASH!

The tremendous force of the heavy impact made my vision go black. I was instantly slammed to the ground, serving as a complete human cushion, excruciating pain sweeping through my entire body!

Julian Thorne rushed down from upstairs like a madman. Seeing the scene on the ground, he desperately, without hesitation, scooped up a terrified Chloe, his voice trembling: "Chloe! Chloe, are you alright? Don't be scared, I'm taking you to the hospital right away!"

He held Chloe and rushed to his car at top speed. From beginning to end, he didn't spare a single glance for me, lying beneath the woman he loved most, my fate unknown.

My friends watched Julian's car disappear into the distance, shaking with fury, but could only hurry to take me, severely injured, to the hospital.

When I next woke up in the hospital, only a nurse was beside me.

"Miss Vance, you're awake? Luckily, your friends brought you here in time… They had urgent company matters and left, saying to notify them once you woke up…"

"No need," I interrupted, my voice hoarse. "They're very busy; don't bother them."

The nurse looked at me, her eyes filled with sympathy: "But you need someone to take care of you…"

"I'll be fine on my own." I closed my eyes, locking away all my vulnerability deep inside.

Thereafter followed long and lonely days of recovery.

I ate alone, changed my own dressings, took care of myself.

On the day of my discharge, I completed the procedures myself and returned to the mansion.

I began to pack my things, throwing all the gifts, clothes, and even so-called 'couple's items' I'd secretly bought—all chosen with so much love, yet never once truly noticed by Julian—into the trash.

Just as I was dragging my exhausted body, clearing out the last of my belongings, the main door opened.

Julian Thorne walked in, his arm around Chloe Sterling's waist.

He didn't even glance at me, standing there, discarding things. He spoke directly to Mr. Peterson, who was waiting nearby: "Chloe needs quiet recuperation for a while, she'll be staying here. Prepare the master bedroom with the best natural light. Replace all the furnishings with new ones, according to her taste. She likes pink, the bedding must be silk, the curtains the best blackout ones, fresh white roses to be changed daily in the room, and her food…"

He gave meticulous instructions, down to the smallest detail, his tone earnest and focused.

I stood at the top of the stairs, listening to these words, my heart feeling like it was soaking in ice water.

I remembered when I first moved in here, Julian had merely had his assistant escort me to the guest room, with a cold "If you need anything, ask the butler."

Love and indifference, they truly were this stark.

I lowered my head, intending to silently go upstairs.

"Stop!" Chloe suddenly called out, her eyes red-rimmed, pointing at the dress I was wearing: "Why are you wearing matching clothes with Julian?"

I paused, realizing then that Julian was wearing a dark blue shirt today, and I was in an old dark blue dress.

The colors were just similar.

I was about to speak, but Chloe was already throwing an unrelenting tantrum: "Julian is *mine*! No one but me can wear the same color as him! Take it off! Take it off right now!"

I couldn't believe my ears: "It's just a coincidence…"