Chapter 4

Claire’s POV

The commotion drew the restaurant manager—and Julian Prescott.

He pulled Chloe Reed, who was sobbing with tears streaming down her face, protectively behind him. The look he gave me held a coldness and disgust I had never seen before.

“Claire Bennett, what the hell is wrong with you?”

Chloe Reed hid in his arms and pointed at me, her voice full of wounded accusation.

“Julian Prescott, all I did was invite Claire Bennett to our engagement party, and she hit me…”

Julian Prescott’s expression darkened further. He looked at me as though I were some unreasonable shrew.

“Apologize to her,” he ordered.

Suddenly, the man in front of me felt terrifyingly unfamiliar.

Seven years, and he had never once asked why.

No matter who I argued with, no matter what had started it or what had happened, he always made me back down. Always made me apologize.

Because in his world, I, Claire Bennett, was supposed to be an accessory to his life—always understanding, always putting everyone else’s interests first, never causing him any trouble.

“I’ll say it one more time. Apologize to her.”

When I didn’t respond, a warning crept into Julian Prescott’s voice.

Beside me, Emma was shaking with anger. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Julian Prescott, are you blind? She was the one who brought up Claire Bennett’s mother to hurt her! She’s the one who should apologize!”

Julian Prescott’s gaze swept over Emma. “This has nothing to do with you,” he said coldly.

He looked back at me, his eyes holding nothing but impatience and disappointment.

“Claire Bennett, don’t make me lose what little regard I have left for you.”

What little regard he had left?

So that was all seven years of love amounted to now.

I laughed, but tears slipped down my face despite myself.

I looked at Chloe Reed, sheltered in his arms, then at his accusing face, and asked him, each word deliberate.

“Julian Prescott, what if I say no this time?”

His brows drew tightly together, as though he hadn’t expected me to resist him.

“Claire Bennett, don’t push me.”

Push him?

What had I pushed him to do?

Had I pushed him to fall in love with someone else?

Had I pushed him to call off our engagement?

Had I pushed him to trample my dignity underfoot?

Smack!

Another sharp slap rang out.

Only this time, it landed on my face.

The whole world went silent.

My cheek burned, the pain so intense it turned numb. My ears rang until I could barely hear the gasps and murmurs around me.

All I could see was Julian Prescott with his hand still raised, a flicker of shock crossing his face, as though even he hadn't expected to actually hit me.

“You made me do it. You know I don't hit women.”

Behind him, a smug smile curled Chloe Reed's lips, then vanished.

So this was how it ended.

That slap brought me to my senses more than his calling off our engagement at the villa, more than seeing the necklace he'd given me around another woman's neck.

I raised a hand to wipe away my tears and looked at him, utterly calm.

“Fine. I'll apologize.”

Julian seemed to relax, thinking I'd finally given in.

I turned to Chloe, looked at her face, and said slowly, “I'm sorry.”

Then, as everyone stared in disbelief, I looked Julian straight in the eye and continued:

“Julian Prescott, I apologize for loving you for the past seven years.”

“I apologize for giving up who I was and losing my dignity for you.”

“I apologize for being so blind.”

Julian's expression shifted from shock to fury.

“Claire Bennett! You—”

“Julian Prescott.”

I cut him off, using every ounce of strength I had to force a smile that looked worse than tears.

“You were the one who didn't want me anymore.”

“I promise you'll never have to see me again.”

“Never again. Just as you wished.”

With that, I picked up my bag and walked out of the restaurant without looking back, Emma Parker supporting me with a worried look.

Behind me, Julian roared, barely containing his fury, but I no longer cared.

The wind in New York was so cold. That was good. At least it could clear my head completely.