Chapter 6

However, Clara had set notification previews to remain hidden while her phone was locked.

Without her passcode, Julian could only see her lock screen wallpaper.

It was a photograph of a rose bouquet. The same one he gave her on her last birthday.

In truth, Julian didn't remember her birthday.

His assistant, Austin, reminded him that day and bought the flowers.

Austin handed them to him to give to her.

It was a cheap gesture that was completely devoid of thought or affection.

Yet Clara photographed it, saved it, and set it as her wallpaper to treasure every single day.

It was living proof of how deeply she loved him.

The tension in Julian's chest snapped and was replaced by a wave of cold relief.

"Stop speaking out of anger," he said with his voice flat and indifferent. "The wedding preparations are almost finished.

"Once you're discharged, you can join the rehearsals.

"When the day comes, you will be my wife. You'll be the first lady of Vance Enterprises and enjoy a lifetime of luxury."

Julian had no idea that her flight was scheduled for the day before the wedding.

It was a ceremony that was destined to have no bride.

Clara didn't bother to argue.

She remained silent until Julian grew impatient and left.

The moment he walked away, she checked herself out of the hospital and caught a cab straight to corporate headquarters.

She walked into the executive secretarial suite and found Chloe at her desk.

Before Chloe could process the shock of seeing her, Clara raised a glass liquor bottle she had bought on the way and slammed it hard against Chloe's head!

The glass shattered and alcohol splashed everywhere.

Blood immediately welled up from a deep gash on Chloe's forehead.

Completely frozen, Chloe touched her face in stunned silence.

But Clara wasn't finished.

She grabbed Chloe by the hair and dragged her into the main hallway to expose her utter humiliation to every employee on the floor.

Julian rushed out at the sound of the commotion with his voice thunderous. "Release her!"

Clara ignored him.

Flying into a rage, Julian took three swift steps forward and grabbed Clara's arm.

He brutally twisted her wrist out of its socket with his face dark enough to kill.

"Clara! Have you completely lost your mind bringing your hysterics into the office?!"

The crack of her dislocated wrist echoed sharply in the quiet hall, yet Clara's expression remained terrifyingly calm.

"This is what she owes my mother."

As the two stood in a deadlock, Chloe scrambled up from the floor. She sobbed hysterically. "Julian..."

Stepping toward him with a stumble, Chloe threw herself straight into Clara.

They both tumbled toward the open stairwell.

Julian darted forward and caught Chloe in a firm embrace.

Clara saw it all clearly. Julian could have easily saved her, too.

Instead, he didn't move an inch. He simply watched with ice-cold, unbothered eyes.

He watched in utter silence as she tumbled down the steep flight of stairs.

Her head cracked against the concrete steps and left a smear of red.

Her arms and legs bruised instantly while her body collapsed on the landing. She became completely immobile.

Julian looked down at her bleeding body and issued a ruthless order to the surrounding staff, "Nobody calls an ambulance for her."

A colleague couldn't bear the sight. "But Mr. Vance... She's bleeding heavily. She'll go into shock..."

"She brought it on herself." With those final words, Julian turned and took Chloe away.

Clara lost consciousness from the severe blood loss.

When she finally woke up, she was shivering violently from the cold.

As it was already late into the night, the entire building had turned dark.

Covered with dried blood and bruises, Clara couldn't get any taxi to pick her up.

She had no choice but to stumble through the streets and walk endlessly until the sun rose.

She finally collapsed on the steps of the hospital at dawn.

This time, Julian never came to visit her.

Instead, he deliberately took Chloe along to complete the full wedding rehearsal out of spite.

Later that day, Chloe posted photos all over her social media.

There was a photo of Julian smiling as he slipped a diamond band onto her finger.

There was another photo of her leaning into his tall frame as they were walking down the red carpet.

During the mock ceremony, when the officiant called for the groom to kiss the bride, Julian held Chloe's chin and pressed his lips against hers.

It looked as if they were the ones getting married.

Clara felt no emotional reaction to any of it.

Her heart was already torn to shreds. It was numb, silent, and completely dead.

---

The day of her departure was bright and clear.

Clara received a text message from Julian. His tone was full of effortless confidence.

[The wedding is tomorrow. Noon, 12:00 PM sharp.]

Short and commanding. He was entirely certain she would show up right on time.

Clara let out a soft, faint smile. She deleted his contact and blocked his number.

Before snapping her SIM card in half, she dialed an anonymous number and paid a third party to deliver a grand gift to Julian at the altar the next day.

She was certain Julian would love it.

At the gate, the flight attendant smiled and bowed slightly. "Have a wonderful flight, Ms. Clara."

As Clara smiled back, her eyes reflected the quiet confidence and grace she had lost so long ago.

"Thank you. I will."

From this moment on, Julian Vance no longer existed in her life.

She was simply herself.

Strong, brilliant, and free.

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