Chapter 5

Julian held the necklace out the window with one hand, effortlessly restraining me with the other.

"Are you going to let her bear all the rumors and scorn?"

My eyes welled up. "So *I* can bear it, then?"

A flicker of reluctance crossed his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I will marry you. No one will dare bully Julian Caldwell's wife."

I clutched the lapel of his jacket.

"But," he changed his tone,

"If you don't agree, I'll just have to destroy this necklace."

"Wait!"

Watching the necklace hang precariously from his fingers, swaying with the breeze.

My hands trembled.

"I'll go out..."

The curtain was pulled back, and I, wearing Seraphina's dress, was pushed out.

A microphone 'thumped!' against my forehead.

Angry shouts filled my ears.

"Traitor! How could you betray your mother's legacy?!"

"How can your mother rest in peace in her grave knowing you played *that* song?!"

Tears streamed down my face.

I bit down hard.

"I'm sorry..."

"What good is 'sorry'?! If you're truly remorseful, go die!"

"That's right! Die!"

"Die!"

My body trembled.

I gritted my teeth.

I bent down.

"I'm sorry..."

Rotten vegetables, shoes, and even phones were hurled at me.

My forehead was bleeding from the impact.

I looked up, and a familiar figure appeared behind the crowd.

Julian stood behind everyone, watching me.

For a moment, I actually thought I saw a flicker of heartache in his eyes.

I guess... I must have been concussed.

Julian turned and left.

When I stumbled back backstage, the necklace was indeed resting perfectly in the red velvet box.

It had even been polished, looking brand new.

"Here, Julian, darling, left it for you."

Seraphina reluctantly pushed the box towards me.

My hands trembled.

Just as I was about to touch the necklace, another hand snatched it away.

Seraphina's chilling smile flashed before my eyes.

The next second.

"Smash!" The necklace hit the ground, shattering into pieces.

"Did you really think I'd give it to you?"

Seraphina laughed mockingly. "Dream on!"

"Slap!"

A bloody handprint appeared on her face.

She fell heavily to the ground.

"Bitch!"

I raised my hand again.

But my wrist was suddenly yanked.

"Slap!"

My face burned.

I fell to the ground.

Julian never hit women.

Even when he couldn't stand me, at most, he'd just mock me.

Even when I slapped him, he wouldn't hit back.

This time, for Seraphina.

He laid a hand on me.

His leather shoe ground harshly on the shattered fragments of the necklace.

"The necklace was already given to you, why did you still hit her?"

"Julian..."

"Enough!"

He gritted his teeth. "I thought you were just a bit willful, but I never realized you were even more despicable than I imagined! It's a miracle your mother didn't live to see your monstrous face!"

"You!"

I coughed up a mouthful of blood.

I was already injured.

Now, consumed by anger, my vision completely blurred.

The previous voices became panicked.

"Aurora?"

"Aurora, wake up!"

I was pulled into an embrace.

Hazily, I thought I heard Seraphina's voice.

"Julian, darling! Where are you going, leaving me behind?!"

I woke up again, my cheek being gently stroked.

Feeling me stir, the hand quickly withdrew.

"When you're better, go apologize to her."