Chapter 4

I said in a trembling voice, "You’re incredible, Julian."

He knew exactly how to stab me where it hurt.

Carrie tugged at his sleeve again and whispered, "Julian, let's go."

Julian stood his ground and looked at me fondly. "Serina, someone of your status shouldn't be coming to a place like this. I won't be inviting you to the wedding."

I gave a bitter laugh and tossed the paper bag into the bin. "Okay. I wish you both a blissful marriage."

As I walked out of the boxing gym, I told myself I would never set foot in this little town again.

I did see Julian one more time after that. It happened when my father was hospitalized following a heart attack.

I took a leave of absence from my studies and flew back home to help my mother and brother run the company.

After a business meal, I found myself clutching a tree outside the hotel as I retched until my vision blurred. My makeup was a mess, and my hair was plastered to my forehead with sweat. I was a complete disaster.

Just as I was wiping the tears from my face, a familiar voice called out, "Serina?"

I stood frozen and didn't turn around. That voice was all too familiar; a sound that had played on repeat throughout my youth. However, I felt utterly humiliated now.

He walked around to face me, dressed in a tailored suit—a far cry from the man on the motorcycle that I remembered.

As his gaze fell upon my disheveled face, his eyes narrowed. He instinctively reached out as if to steady me. "W-What happened to you?"

I pulled away from him and forced a smile. "What a coincidence."

His hand hung suspended in mid-air for a few seconds before he slowly withdrew it. "I'm here on business," he explained.

I asked in surprise, "Business? I thought you said you'd never leave your hometown."

He smiled, and his eyes sparkled. "I didn't have anything worth fighting for back then, but I do now. I want to see how far I can go."

The alcohol was making my head spin, and I couldn't find the words to respond.

He leaned in closer and said hoarsely, "Let me take you home. You're—"

"Julian!" Before he could finish, the sound of high heels echoed behind him. Carrie came running toward us, lifting the hem of her dress.

She clung to his arm and continued, "Mr. Lansley and the others are waiting for us."

I steadied myself and smirked. Then, I gestured to my secretary, who was waiting a short distance away.

"I won't disturb you guys." As I turned to leave, I heard Julian call my name. However, I didn't turn back.

As I walked into the hotel lobby, I pressed a hand against my chest. I felt calm. Emotions were a strange thing; the heart that used to thrash wildly for Julian had finally gone silent.

After that night, time seemed to fly by. My father eventually woke up, and I returned abroad to finish my degree.

Following graduation, I walked down the aisle with the man my family had chosen for me.

For ten years, I lived a good life.

If Julian hadn't stepped forward the moment I got off that plane, introducing himself as the head of our security detail, I didn't think he would have ever crossed my mind again for the rest of my life.

My friend called me just to gloat. She laughed obnoxiously and said, "Well, Ms. Brown. The world now knows you were once a total lovesick fool. How does it feel?"

I gritted my teeth and replied, "When did you leak that video?"

"Hey, don't blame me! You were in such a rush to leave school back then. The university wouldn't grant you a leave of absence, so when you asked for my help after landing, I just submitted that video to the administration as proof. I told them you were chasing after your lover."

I sighed and rubbed my temples. "You've ruined my life."

The line went dead silent for a few seconds. Then, she whispered, "I forgot that you're married now, and that your husband is terrifying. Crap! Is he going to complain to my brother? I have to go, Sera. I'll pray for you!"

I stared at my phone in stunned silence. My heart started racing as I paced the room.