Chapter 4

The lights in the penthouse were still off when I rolled my suitcase to the front door.

Five years of memories filled this apartment. Now, every single corner felt like an insult.

Just as I bent down to slip on my heels, bright headlights pierced through the darkness outside.

Julian's black Maybach pulled smoothly into the driveway.

The car door slammed shut. Julian walked in first, dangling a glossy orange Hermès shopping bag.

Right behind him, Mia scurried inside like a frightened kitten, clinging to his sleeve.

Seeing the foyer lights on, Julian frowned and shoved the front door wide open.

When he saw me standing by my luggage, his expression instantly turned sour.

"In that big of a rush to move out? Got some side piece waiting for you?"

I tuned out his insult, grabbed my suitcase handle, and lifted my bag.

"I've got my things. I'm leaving."

"Oh? Claire, you're still here?"

Mia peeked out from behind Julian's shoulder, looking utterly terrified as she shrunk further into his chest.

"Julian... did Claire pack up because I came over? Is she mad at me?"

Julian instinctively wrapped a protective arm around Mia, glaring at me like I was a home intruder.

"Mia, don't be scared. I'm right here."

He turned on me, his eyes full of venom.

"Claire, what game are you playing now? Mia gets anxious easily. Did you bully her at the office earlier?"

I let out a cold laugh, looking at the pair of them.

"Bully? If telling the blunt truth counts as bullying, she's far too fragile for corporate America."

Mia's eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She tugged at Julian's sleeve, her voice trembling.

"Julian, please don't be mad at Claire. It's all my fault."

"She told the whole team today that I don't deserve the promotion, that I'm incompetent, and that I'm going to run Hayes Enterprises into the ground..."

"She only said that because she hates me."

"I know I'm not as smart as Claire, but I'm trying so hard to learn..."

Seeing Mia sobbing like a heartbroken angel made Julian's temper boil over. He roared at me.

"Claire! Shut your mouth!"

"You put in your two weeks, and you're already acting like you own the place?"

"Mia came here out of the goodness of her heart, and you humiliate her like this?"

"Apologize to Mia right now!"

I straightened my spine, refusing to back down an inch.

"Every single word I said was a fact. I did nothing wrong, and I will never apologize."

"Believe whatever you want."

Julian lost his mind. His face turned deep crimson.

"Apologize! Did you hear me?!"

"Don't test me, Claire! You think I won't touch you?!"

Seeing his rage, Mia sobbed even harder, gripping Julian's forearm tightly.

"Julian, don't yell, please! You'll raise your blood pressure."

"If Claire can't stand seeing me, I'll just leave. Please don't fight over me..."

Her little act poured gasoline straight onto the fire.

"Claire, listen to how mature Mia is, and look at you—acting like a bitter, hysterical psycho!"

"You're not going to apologize, huh?"

Slap!

The sharp crack echoed violently through the empty foyer.

My head snapped to the side. My ears rang like a siren, and the metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.

A burning agony spread across my cheek, but it was nothing compared to the absolute ice freezing my heart.

Julian shook his stinging hand, pointing a finger directly in my face.

"Now do you know your place? Apologize to Mia!"

"I'll count to three. Say you're sorry, or get the hell out of my house and never come back!"

I slowly turned my head back, locking eyes with the man I had loved for half a decade.

There was only violence in his eyes, and a desperate urge to impress another woman. Not a single shred of remorse or care for me.

I raised my thumb and wiped the speck of blood from the corner of my lips.

"Julian, remember this slap."

"Because you'll never get an apology from me."

"We're done. I was leaving anyway, so you just got exactly what you wanted."