18
The terror in Chloe’s eyes overwhelmed the hatred. When she was at the Stone residence, she witnessed Julian’s ruthlessness. Even with constant surveillance, his people had found ways to torture her. She’d been lucky to survive.
Sensing her tremor, Julian’s gaze darkened. If Sera hadn’t stopped him, Chloe wouldn’t be alive. Fortunately, the baby was gone.
He shoved her away, wiping his hands with a handkerchief.
Get as far away as possible. If I see you again… You’re dead.”
He slammed the door shut. Chloe shivered, clutching the blanket.
Meanwhile, Sera put her aunt and uncle on the car home and walked back to the courtyard house. It was time for her to leave this country.
She decided to return the key to the landlord.
“What? Someone bought this place and gifted it to me?”
Sera’s eyes widened. The landlord, fanning himself, handed her the documents. “See? Your name’s right here!”
Examining the document, she noticed her name in the corner. She frowned. “And there’s the buyer.” The landlord pointed to the man standing at the door. He was gazing at her with the same tenderness as before.
“Sera.”
“Julian, what’s the point?”
Sera thanked the landlord and pulled Julian outside.
“I don’t need this!”
Pain flickered in his eyes. He tried to embrace her, but she pushed him away.
“Sera, it’s compensation. I’ve solved our biggest problem. Chloe’s child is gone. She won’t bother us anymore. Please, give me another chance.”
She shook her head. A chance?
“Julian, I did consider giving you a chance.”
His eyes
lit up.
“If you’d gone to the master bedroom that night, or confessed everything the next day… We might have had a chance. But what did you do?”
He’d made love to Chloe everywhere in the house, even near her. And she’d learned about his friends covering up for him.
She shoved her hands into her pockets, sighing.
“At that moment, I realized I was the only fool. Everyone was helping you keep it from me. She smiled faintly.
“So, to punish you, I took all your shares at the birthday party. I don’t need this house. Your gift
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means nothing to me.”
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She turned to leave. He pulled her into a hug. She looked at his hands around her waist with a frown.
“Sera, I’m sorry.” His voice was trembling.
He was finally facing his mistakes. He was apologizing, seeking forgiveness, hoping for reconciliation.
But his apology was too late. It should have been offered the day after he slept with Chloe, or when she still had hope for their marriage. Not after she’d given up on him.
Sera remained silent, then walked away.
“Sera!”
He caught her, pleading for another chance. Since their reunion, he’d tried everything to win her back, but to no avail.
“You loved me SO much before. Why don’t you give
give me another chance?”
“If you still mind that Chloe used to live in our house, I’ll sell it.”
“If
“If
you
you
hate the gifts I gave you, I’ll buy you new ones.”
think I’m dirty, I’ll shower a hundred times.”
Sera smiled.“What about your heart?”
Her question hung in the air, unanswered. Without waiting for a reply, she left.
The next day, Sera packed her stuff to leave this country. She’d planned to take her aunt and uncle with her, but they were reluctant to leave their home. She didn’t push them, but she put a bank card under their pillows.
saddened by her departure.
She then met
met her friends for dinner. They were saddened by
“When will we see you again?”
“We’ll visit you someday.”
They exchanged addresses. As they drank, a tipsy friend offered to refill their glasses. Everyone urged him to sit down, but he insisted.
Moments later, a loud argument erupted outside. They rushed out, only to see him involved in a brawl. Sera’s heart clenched. She and her friends tried to stop them.
A man grabbed a wine bottle to swing it at her head.
“Sera!”
Julian arrived, catching her in his arms.
“Crash!”
The bottle shattered, shards and blood landing on the floor. The restaurant fell silent.
“Someone’s head is bleeding!”
Screams and chaos erupted. Julian, ignoring everything, frantically checked Sera for injuries. Finding her unharmed, he relaxed.
Sera looked at him coldly.
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Lady
“Julian, you didn’t have to do this. I could have handled it.” She’d taken self–defense classes. If he hadn’t intervened, she would have subdued the attacker.
on
the
other
hand,
her
His grip on her shoulder loosened. She was showing him that she could thrive without him. He,
since self–destruction spiraled into
departure. Before he could speak, the manager arrived, tending to Julian’s wound and handling the rest.
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