Chapter 5

The May morning was still bone-chilling.

It had been a month since I moved back to school.

Julian hadn't visited me once.

His SnapChat chat box, aside from transfer records,

didn’t even contain a single word of concern.

Indeed, a businessman is just a businessman;

ruthless when necessary, without a trace of hesitation.

I was listlessly heading to the cafeteria for breakfast before class,

when I unexpectedly saw Julian walking towards me.

He smiled and waved.

I was the kind of person who would bloom with a little sunshine, so I enthusiastically waved back.

Just then, a woman ran up behind him, shouting loudly, "Julian! I missed you so much!"

Upon closer inspection, it was my impeccably made-up advisor, Valerie Chen.

I instantly pulled my hand back, embarrassed, my heart giving a painful wrench.

My hand, tucked into my pocket, felt like a block of ice.

Julian, holding Valerie’s hand, walked up to me and gently introduced her: "Stella, I forgot to tell you, Valerie and I are together now. You can call her Auntie from now on when we're out."

Before I could even open my mouth to speak,

Valerie, blushing, playfully hit Julian’s chest. "We’re not even married yet! You’re making me blush!"

At that moment, my fingers were digging into my palms, leaving angry red marks.

Julian, to make me give up,

the man who was always so reserved with his emotions, was now flaunting his affection openly.

Perhaps Julian truly liked her,

after all, she was indeed very beautiful.

Valerie walked over and patted my shoulder, chuckling. "Thanks to Stella for helping me pursue you! Otherwise, I wouldn't even know what you like to eat, what size clothes you wear, or your measurements!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Julian’s eyes.

Valerie then pointed to Julian’s suit. "Stella, how do you like Julian's suit today? I had it custom-made for him. It just arrived yesterday, and he’s wearing it today!"

I quickly glanced at it, forcing a smile. "It looks great."

When I was eighteen, I’d spent all the money I saved from high school to have a custom suit made for Julian to confess my feelings.

But I'd never seen him wear it.

Julian handed me an ornate box. Inside was a formal marriage contract, elegantly presented on rich crimson paper with bold black script.

He still spoke expressionlessly, "Stella, if you wish to marry, sign your name here. If not, it’s also—"

Before he could finish,

I cut him off. "I want to."

Julian’s fingers subtly trembled.

"Since I already agreed to it last time, I won't go back on my word."

I would use the rest of my life to give the Harrington Group a better future,

and to give Julian’s younger sister a better future.

This would be my way of repaying Julian for raising me.

From then on, the sky was wide and the road long. I owed Julian nothing.

The Harrington Group originally specialized in bereavement services,

so some families were unwilling to engage in arranged marriages with them,