Chapter 4

My voice was devoid of warmth, completely neutral.

In seventeen years, I had never spoken to him in such a detached, strictly professional tone.

He immediately assumed I was being difficult. "Vivian, please don't throw another tantrum. I'm exhausted."

I stared at the ceiling for two seconds, and then a quiet laugh slipped out.

He was exhausted? Did he think I wasn't?

"Let's break up, Chase."

"Do you even hear what you're saying?"

"We’ve known each other for seventeen years, and we’ve been together for twelve. The thrill is gone, Chase. Our history has turned into a suffocating burden for you."

When the words faded, the line fell dead quiet.

He was silent for so long that I pulled the phone away to check if the call had dropped.

Just as my brows pulled together, his voice returned. "Why are you doing this so out of the blue?"

I couldn't help but smile. "The cold shoulder you gave me for the past two weeks... wasn't that an invitation for me to pull the plug?"

"Don't forget, Chase. I raised you from the ground up. I know every single thought in your head."

Another heavy silence dragged between us.

Suddenly, Julian’s hot fingertips grazed the bare skin along my waist.

A soft, involuntary gasp caught in my throat.

It wasn't loud, but it was clear enough to travel straight through the microphone.

I shot Julian a glare. The boy immediately pulled on an innocent, docile expression, pressing his lips together like a frightened puppy.

"Who are you with?" Chase’s voice sharpened instantly. He had always been hyper-sensitive.

"At this hour, who else would be in my bed besides a man?"

"We haven't broken up yet!" Chase snapped, his tone rising.

"Aren't we doing that right now?" I replied coolly.

"Are you really that desperate to throw us away?"

A sneer formed in my chest. Somehow, this had become my fault.

Before I could answer, his sharp voice cut back in.

"Fine! Have it your way!"

Though his tone brimmed with anger, I could clearly hear the massive sigh of relief underneath.

He probably felt relieved that I was the one who had strayed first.

That way, his precious conscience wouldn't have to bear the weight of betrayal.

He could even proudly tell the world that I had been the heartless one who abandoned him.

Seventeen years.

Dismantled in two short weeks.

I ended the call, tossing the phone aside onto the sheets.

My eyes shifted down to Julian Shaw.

I reached out with one hand and casually wrapped my fingers around his warm throat.

"Why do I get the feeling you had an agenda just now?"

He looked up at me with wide, guileless eyes, his tone deadly serious and desperately earnest. "I didn't. You can't misunderstand me like that."

I let out a low, amused scoff.