Chapter 7

Pain surged through my entire body. I licked my cracked lips, my face filled with bitterness.

So, the scandalous photos circulating online and being ambushed by reporters were all Julian's doing.

Even when Director Miller, who had watched me grow up, passed away, he wouldn't let me say my final goodbyes.

He truly never had feelings for me…

Soon after, Julian came in again.

Seeing me awake, he immediately put on a joyful expression. "That's great! I was worried you wouldn't wake up in these two days and it would delay our marriage registration."

I lowered my head, a cold laugh in my heart. Delay the marriage registration? More like delay your escape plan.

I took off the diamond ring and placed it in Julian's hand.

"This is the engagement ring you gave me. I'm returning it to you now… After we register tomorrow, you can put it back on me."

Julian paused slightly, then smiled. "Okay, whatever Stella wants."

I took a deep breath and asked, "Do you remember how happy you were the day I accepted your proposal? My feelings for you never changed, but I want to ask, do you still have any genuine feelings for me?"

"My love for Stella is unwavering, to my dying breath," he answered without hesitation.

Suddenly, I found it all so pointless. I hummed in agreement and lay back down on the bed.

"I'm tired. You can go home and rest; you don't need to stay with me."

"Then get a good night's sleep. I'll see you tomorrow at the registry office."

Julian tucked me in, then placed a cup of warm water by the bed, acting unbelievably gentle.

The next day, I was woken by a bucket of ice water.

The biting cold made me sneeze three times.

I looked up in panic, seeing my own brother, Dominic, standing before me. My whole body instantly tensed.

"Today, I'm sending you off to be married." He looked down at me with a condescending gaze.

"This bucket of water is to wash away your past sins. If you treat people kindly from now on, there will still be a place for you in the Kingston family."

He called two makeup artists in and produced a pristine white wedding gown.

"As your older brother, I feel responsible for you. I specially prepared these things for you. After you're done with your makeup, a driver will take you to the registry office."

I froze.

He knew all about Julian's 100-time escape plan, yet he was still pretending to send me off.

"What, too happy to speak?" Dominic raised an eyebrow.

"Don't just sit there, start your makeup. Julian is waiting for you at the registry office, and Chloe and I will be there to witness your happiness."

I gave a bitter laugh internally. Witness my happiness? More like watch my humiliation.

"Okay, thank you… brother." I quietly agreed. I was too tired to expose Dominic's lies; anyway, I would be leaving soon.

Dominic frowned slightly.

Normally, he would get angry and scold me if I called him 'brother,' but today was different.

He had to let me taste some sweetness first; only then would the subsequent revenge be more effective!

"Hmph," Dominic suppressed his disgust and nodded, then turned to leave.

Seeing his back completely disappear, I shivered and got out of bed, holding my soaking wet body as I spoke to the two makeup artists.

"How much did he pay you? I'll double it. You can leave now, but please keep it a secret for me."

After dismissing the two makeup artists, I gently caressed the beautiful wedding dress.

"So soft, what a pity."

I picked up the dress and ruthlessly threw it into the trash can.

Then, I wrote a statement of severance from my family and entrusted a lawyer to publish it.

Finally, I drafted a scheduled SnapChat message to Julian, set to be sent a few hours later:

【Seven years of youth and an unborn child. Your revenge was a complete success.】

Having done all that, the people sent by the Harrison family to pick me up arrived.

A valiant-looking short-haired woman stepped out of the car. She saw my sorry state but asked no questions, simply taking off her own jacket and wrapping it around me.

"Miss Stella, if you're ready, please come with me."

I nodded, thanked her softly, and followed her into the car.

I didn't look back, nor did I feel a hint of longing.

Because in this city, there was no one left worth loving.

In a private dining room at the restaurant, Julian was embracing Chloe, whispering how much he missed her.

He was still completely unaware of my departure.