Chapter 6

He wanted me, the victim, to apologize to the perpetrator?

Was this his third request?

I looked up, incredulous, seeking confirmation.

“Are you sure you want me to apologize to Cassie? Julian, I didn’t push her.”

But Julian just nodded, again and again, looking somewhat helpless.

“Sera. Cassie lost her child, a pain I can’t bear for her. One last time, I promise, one last time.”

Seeing Julian’s humbled expression, I closed my eyes and nodded.

He was no longer the man I once loved.

“Okay. That’s three.”

One last time.

Julian didn’t understand what I meant by “second time” or “third time.”

He only knew that once I apologized, he could tell me everything and we could go back to how we were.

Little did he know, things wouldn't go as planned.

I had thought I would simply be taken to the hospital to say a quick apology to Cassie.

But to my surprise, Julian had called a press conference, intending to publicly support Cassie in front of the whole world.

When the bodyguards brought me to the stage like a criminal, Julian was elegantly ascending with Cassie in his arms.

After two days, Cassie looked much better.

She was vibrant, her eyes full of trust and anticipation for love.

In a place unseen by others, Cassie mouthed a sentence to me.

“I’m sorry, I won again this time. Julian truly cares for me.”

After Julian gave a distorted account of events, I was brought before the flashing cameras.

In the hall filled with a hundred people, I, the innocent, bowed in apology to the culprit.

Just when I thought it was all over, Julian had someone bring a cup of “forgiveness tea.”

If Cassie accepted it and took a sip, it meant she was willing to forgive me.

I resignedly took the steaming tea, holding it out to Cassie.

But as I waited, minute after minute, Cassie remained nestled in Julian’s arms.

“Julian, I’m still so dizzy.”

Finally, just as my hands were thoroughly scalded red, Cassie took the cup.

“Julian, the tea’s too hot, I won’t drink it. I don’t feel well, I want to go home.”

Julian nodded, ending the press conference.

Afterward, I declined Julian’s offer to drive me home.

I walked back to the Harrison estate alone.

Julian stood by the open car door, watching my retreating back.

He couldn't wait another second.

No one knew how much he wanted to run over, embrace this stubborn, heartbreaking girl tightly, and soothe all her past grievances.

He remembered the first time he saw me.

A little girl barely reaching his waist, her face full of fear, standing behind him, tugging at his shirt, whispering,

“Thank you for adopting me, I’ll be very obedient.”

It wasn’t until Cassie called out to him that he snapped back to reality.

Julian thought, soon, very soon.

After he took Cassie to the hospital for a check-up, he would immediately turn the car around and go home.

But he didn’t know that the moment he arrived at the hospital, I had already packed my bags and left for the airport.

I sat in the taxi, watching the familiar car beside me run several red lights.

In my heart, I quietly said,

“Julian, goodbye. And good riddance.”

The two cars sped past each other.

Julian anxiously pressed the accelerator, only one thought in his mind.

To explain everything to Sera, to give her a long-overdue hug.