Chapter 3

Julian seemed genuinely worried. He comforted me the whole way, his face full of indignation.

"But then again, Riley, today's incident is partly your fault too. If you hadn't been so petty and made me angry, maybe something like this wouldn't have happened."

"You've learned your lesson now, right? Chloe and I truly have nothing going on, just a pure friendship. Don't be so jealous anymore."

I turned my head, looking at my reflection in the window, feeling only disgust.

What he didn't know was that Asher had shown me a video.

In the video, Julian was teaching Chloe to swim, taking photos of her.

My desperate calls for help were clearly audible in the background.

They had heard me but hadn't come to my rescue.

I lay numbly on the bed, the sound of rushing water filling my ears.

Suddenly, several message notifications pinged. It was Julian's phone.

The screen displayed a group chat called 'Queen Chloe and Her Knights'.

They were chatting excitedly, messages pinging incessantly. A glance caught my attention, making me freeze.

"You guys wouldn't believe it, she was screaming so tragically, her voice was completely hoarse. Anyone would've thought those guys were really something."

"Must've given her the ride of her life, Julian. You really know how to deliver. Seriously, she's so annoying. Every time we go out, she acts like a chaperone, ruins all the fun. Our Princess Chloe has suffered so many grievances because of her."

"Got a video? No video? Send it over, let's see."

"Didn't Julian already send it? Scroll up."

In the video, I was practically naked, my cries mixed with lewd laughter.

Julian had called it his "trophy," flaunting it in the group.

He had written:

"Buddies are like limbs, women are like clothes. Anyone who upsets my buddy, I'll make them regret it. My fiancée is no exception."

My entire body trembled, as if plunged into an ice cave.

All this time, it was Julian who orchestrated everything.

His concern and fear were all an act.

Julian walked out, wrapped in a towel, and saw me sitting on the bed, lost in thought.

He pulled me into his arms. Leaning against his chest, it felt like a safe harbor.

But I knew he wasn't my safe harbor; he was the source of my disaster.

"Riley, don't think about it. It's over."

"I won't abandon you. Our wedding will proceed as planned. Be good."

A hint of sarcasm flickered in my eyes. I looked up at him.

"Are you so sure something happened to me?"

Julian's expression froze, a flicker of unnaturalness crossing his face.

He lowered his gaze, gently comforting me.

"Riley, I know you can't accept it right now, but it's happened. We have to learn to deal with it."

"Of course, I wish nothing had happened, but..."

He trailed off, firmly believing that something *had* happened to me.

My heart felt like a piece had been gouged out, empty and aching.

The Julian who would have risked his life to save me was now, for someone else, stabbing me again and again.

Julian, I owe you nothing.

After what happened, I had no desire to stay. I bought a plane ticket to go home.

Chloe acted as if nothing had happened, hooking her arm around Julian's neck, threatening him like a good buddy.

"Don't forget the bachelor party, Julian. Just you. If you dare bring anyone irrelevant, your dad will really get you."

Julian raised both hands in surrender.

"Got it, my dear son. Let go, you're choking me."

A boarding announcement sounded over the intercom. I grabbed my bag and walked towards the gate, not calling Julian.

Chloe rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Your girlfriend is such a bore. I didn't even make a fuss about her asking my boyfriend to put sunscreen on her, and she's still complaining."

"Son, I don't like this fiancée. Get your dad a new one."

Julian gave an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"I really don't want to go back. If only she were half as sensible as you, I wouldn't be so exhausted."

"I'm leaving. Be safe, and call me if anything happens."