Chapter 2

I wanted to run, but Julian’s grip was shockingly strong. He wasn't even using much force, yet I couldn't break free. So, I just hunkered down, head bowed like a scared little bird, not daring to speak.

I secretly peeked around, looking for an escape route.

After all, when we broke up, Julian had sworn he’d kill me if he ever saw me again.

I’d just managed to come back home! I hadn't even had a bite of the food I'd been dreaming about for five years. I really didn't want to die!

"Nothing you want to say to me?" Seeing my silence, Julian gently lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

I was trapped, staring into Julian's deep, beautiful eyes, now shimmering with unshed tears. My heart clenched, and my throat was thick with bitterness.

I fought back the urge to cry, forcing the tears back, then turned my face away. My voice was cold and hard. "No."

With that, I struggled again, trying to push him away.

"No?" Julian tightened his hold on me, his voice hoarse, with an almost imperceptible catch in it. "You truly are heartless."

Before I could react, he grabbed my jaw and kissed me, completely ignoring the people passing by.

The moment our lips met, my eyes widened in shock.

Julian’s kiss wasn’t gentle at all. It was punishing, almost vengeful, and I couldn't break free. My tongue felt numb from the sheer intensity.

In a fit of anger, I suddenly spotted someone in the distance pulling out their phone, about to record us.

Almost instinctively, I bit Julian. He was unprepared, and his lip bled slightly. He looked momentarily stunned.

That’s when I pushed him away and slapped him across the face.

"Are you insane?!" I glared at Julian, reminding him, "You're about to get married!"

I’d put a good amount of force into that slap. Julian’s head snapped to the side.

He ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek, touched his bruised face, then pressed his bitten lip. He let out a low, soft chuckle. "It was just fake news to get you back."

I was completely dumbfounded. *Fake news?! So what was all this for? Had I just walked straight into his trap?!*

I was too shocked to notice the flicker of twisted satisfaction and pleasure in his eyes after I'd slapped him.

Then, Julian took my hand, kissed my palm tenderly, and asked if I was hurt.

Me: *What?!*

I’d slapped *him*, and he was asking if *my hand* hurt?!

Something felt very wrong here!

But I couldn't think about that. My mind was consumed with avoiding a repeat of what happened five years ago. In a flash, I saw the diamond ring on my left hand.

I collected myself and spoke again. "But I'm married."

The air instantly froze.

Julian lowered his gaze, staring intently at the diamond ring on my finger, silent.

Just as a chill ran down my spine under his intense gaze, Julian suddenly let out a low chuckle.

"Then we'll just live as three," he said calmly, as if stating a perfectly reasonable solution.

I was so startled I almost bit my tongue. "Are you out of your mind?!"

*What did he mean, "live as three"?! Did he even know what he was saying?!*

Still reeling from the shock, Julian effortlessly scooped me up into his arms.