Chapter 4

I was shaking with rage, but before I could speak, Judd was grabbed by the collar and yanked around. A fist slammed straight into his face.

It was Eric.

As the man who was usually carefree, he now looked grim. His voice was tight with restrained fury.

"Get the hell out of the Whitlock residence now!"

Judd's temper flared, too. He spat out a mouthful of blood and raised his fist to strike back, but at that exact moment, the wailing Megan suddenly went silent.

Her body swayed, and she collapsed in a heap on the ground.

Panic immediately filled Judd's eyes. He scooped her up, shot a glare at both of us, and rushed out.

I took a moment to steady myself before inviting Eric inside. But he headed straight into the kitchen and returned with an ice pack.

When I stared at him, stunned, he clicked his tongue in annoyance and pressed the ice pack firmly against my swollen cheek.

"I can't believe you just stand there and take it when he hits you. What an idiot.

"This isn't over. Just wait and see how I'll deal with him…"

Seeing me wince from the cold, he finally let out a soft laugh. His expression softened, though he still looked at me with a heavy sigh.

When I saw that familiar look of concern, memories I'd never bothered to notice during all those years running after Judd came flooding back.

At 13, Eric had draped a jacket over my shoulders and warned everyone else not to look.

At 18, he'd swum toward me without a thought and grabbed my hand as I struggled to stay afloat.

In my past life, he'd climbed over the Garrison residence's wall just to comfort me. Even after staying up crying for nights after I died, he'd pulled himself together to organize my funeral.

He was the one who'd gathered evidence and begged officials to clear Father's name. Every year on my birthday, he'd show up at my grave and talk to me for hours.

My eyes welled up with tears as I looked at him and earnestly said, "Thank you, Eric… Make sure you come tomorrow."

…

Early the next morning, Father dressed in a formal suit and sat waiting in the living room.

When the door opened, it was Eleanor who walked in first. She carried a basket filled with eggs and two strings of pork with Judd trailing behind her.

She smiled and walked over to reach for my hand. "Julie, we heard about what happened the other day.

"Judd really crossed the line! Mr. Grayson gave him a good beating last night.

"Don't hold a grudge over such a little spat. You two have known each other for years, so once you're a part of our family, I'll promise to treat you as my daughter!"

I glanced at Judd and couldn't see any sign that he'd suffered a beating, aside from the bruise from the punch Eric had given him yesterday.

I smiled slightly and pulled my hand back. Looking at Eleanor right now only reminded me of the cold cruelty she'd shown in my past life.

Eleanor's smile faltered, but before she could speak to Father, there was a commotion at the door. A line of our childhood friends marched in carrying engagement gifts, all of them beaming with joy.

"Oh my, what a coincidence! Everyone would love to have a daughter as wonderful as Julie, and so do we!"

Eric's parents, Martha Bennett and Robert Grayson, stepped out behind them and smiled warmly.

"Don't worry, Julie. I know my son well; his heart only belongs to you.

"Besides, Eric grew up with you, too, so why don't you give him some thought?"

Usually carefree and unruly, Eric now stood quietly beside his parents and shot me a nervous glance.

When he noticed that I was staring wide-eyed at the engagement gifts in the yard without saying a word, the corner of his lips dipped slightly. Still, he kept his back straight.

Judd noticed his nervousness and let out a cold snort. He crossed his arms and looked completely certain of his victory.

Under everyone's gaze, I stayed silent and slowly walked toward Judd. The smile on his face grew more disdainful and condescending.

But when I stopped in front of him, I broke into a wide grin. "What makes you think I'd still choose you?"