Chapter 4

Julian clenched his fist, a hint of heartache in his eyes as he looked at me, yet his tone remained harsh.

"This doesn't prove Chloe hired them. Besides, she was the one who saved you."

"Stella, you should reflect on why they came to beat you, instead of blaming everything on Chloe!"

The truth was right in front of him, yet Julian still protected Chloe.

I found it utterly ridiculous.

My heart was cold to the extreme; I was too weary to struggle.

"Fine, I'll reflect."

Julian frowned, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes.

He opened his arms and embraced me. "Alright, Chloe said she's having a family dinner with us tomorrow. Just apologize to her then, and everything will be fine. She'll forgive you."

I rested my head on his shoulder, my nose burning, and forced back my tears.

Anyway, I was getting married and moving to Port City soon. This dinner would just be a farewell meal for everyone.

The next day, before being discharged, Julian carefully noted down the doctor's instructions for my post-operative recovery.

He held up the notebook, shaking it at me as if showing off.

"Stella, see how much I care about you."

I nodded, saying nothing.

They packed their things and went to the upscale restaurant Chloe had chosen.

As soon as we entered, everyone was already there. Julian's mother, Mrs. Thorne, was also present.

"Julian, you're here! Come, sit down!"

Mrs. Thorne waved Julian to sit beside Chloe.

As for me, his fiancée, she had always pretended I was invisible.

It was Dominic who noticed me.

"What are you standing around for? Help order food and serve everyone. A junior with such bad manners!"

I had expected Julian to say something on my behalf.

But to my surprise, his gaze was fixed on Chloe, not even sparing me a glance.

"Okay," I lowered my eyes, having no choice but to obey Dominic, humbly pouring water and ordering dishes for everyone.

As I walked past Chloe, a foot suddenly shot out and tripped me.

The drink in my hand accidentally spilled, splashing Chloe's dress.

"Ah!" Chloe gasped, and all eyes in the room instantly focused on me.

"Stella Kingston, what are you doing!"

This time, Julian was the first to scold me.

"This dress was custom-made for Chloe by my mother. No matter how much you dislike her, you can't keep laying your hands on her!"

My eyes reddened, my hands at a loss. "I didn't mean to."

Julian snorted coldly.

He pulled Chloe up. "Come on, I'll take you to the restroom to clean up."

After they left, it was Dominic's turn to rage.

"I told you not to bring this troublemaker along." He grabbed my hair, forcing me to fall forward onto the table.

In an instant, a large bump appeared on my forehead, and a few trickles of blood seeped out.

I cried out in pain. "Dominic, I really didn't mean to."

Dominic's eyes were cold. He kicked my chest. "I told you, you're not allowed to call me 'brother.' Chloe is my only sister!"

I bit my lip tightly, tears welling up in my eyes, finally overflowing and streaming down my face.

"Stop trying to gain sympathy, go clean yourself up in the restroom." Dominic looked at me with utter disgust.

I clenched my fists, my fingertips trembling slightly, and quickly ran out.

I wasn't familiar with the place and wandered for a long time before accidentally stumbling into a restroom.

But as I stepped inside, I heard intimate sounds coming from within.

"Chloe, your body is still as soft as it used to be…"

Julian's voice was deep, rich, and incredibly magnetic.

I froze, not daring to take another step inside.

"Hmph," Chloe purred playfully. "You say that so sweetly, but you still slept with her all those years I was gone."

"I have no feelings for her!" Julian anxiously vowed.

"Being with her was just to help you get revenge. Sleeping with her was just practice, so I wouldn't hurt you later. Chloe, my sincerity to you is as clear as day and night!"

Chloe curved her lips into a smile, leaning against Julian's chest. "You really just 'practiced' with her? You never felt anything for her?"

"Forget feeling anything, her body didn't even attract me," Julian declared confidently.

My face was ashen white. At that moment, all my hopes shattered into dust.

I remembered the first time we were intimate; Julian, surprisingly, shed tears.

At the time, I thought it was because he loved me too much or was too nervous.

But now, looking back, those tears weren't for me. They were tears of regret, believing he had betrayed Chloe.

So what did all those nights of desperate entanglement mean?

Were they just practice?

Minutes later, Julian and Chloe emerged from the restroom.

Seeing me standing at the door, my face stained with tears, Julian instantly panicked.