Semua Bab When Apologies Die: Bab 1 - Bab 8

Julia's POVThe moment Adrian Grant attentively settled Bella Reed and her daughter, Tia Reed, into the front passenger seat, I knew I was no longer the main character of this gathering.Bella rolled down the window and gave me a sweet smile. "Julia, Adrian said today is your birthday. He specially invited us to come."Then she added apologetically, "Sorry, Tia gets carsick easily. You don’t mind us sitting in front, right?"I caught the faint provocation hidden in her eyes and said nothing.Adrian placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke gently, as if soothing her. "Bella, don’t overthink it. We’re all family. How could Julia mind?"After saying that, he opened the car door and got out, clearly intending to clear the items piled in the back seat to make space for me.My eyes burned red. Disappointment and sadness pressed heavily against my chest.He knew perfectly well that I didn’t like Bella, yet he still used the excuse of celebrating my birthday to bring her along.Bella w

Third-person POVAdrian enjoyed the entire day with his friends. It wasn’t until they arrived at the hotel that they were informed the birthday dinner and the reserved room had been fully canceled.Everyone was exhausted and hungry, and complaints immediately broke out.Still, deep down, they all understood. Being ignored so completely on her own birthday, Julia was bound to feel wronged.Bella’s nose reddened. Tears slowly slid down her face. "I’m sorry. Julia must be angry at me, so she’s throwing a tantrum. It’s all my fault for dragging everyone down. I should just leave."After saying that, she picked up Tia and walked out of the hotel.Adrian stood frozen in place, a wave of inexplicable guilt rising in his chest. It wasn’t Bella's fault. It was because he had completely forgotten about picking up Julia.He hurriedly tried to think of a way to make things right, yet when he saw Bella walking away, his heart softened anyway. He chased after them and pulled them back."Bell

Early the next morning, my mother’s phone calls rang one after another, stubborn and relentless."Come home for dinner today. We’ll treat it as making up for your birthday."A faint warmth stirred in my chest. Deep down, they still cared about me, didn’t they?However, the moment I stepped through the door, everything froze.Bella was holding Tia in her arms, tear tracks still clinging to the corners of her eyes, leaning tightly against my mother.Beside her, Adrian was wearing a worried expression as he handed her tissues.The instant he saw me, Adrian stood up, his tension visible to the naked eye. "You’re here… I brought Bella today so she could personally explain and apologize to you. Julia, can we not get divorced?"Explain? Apologize?A cold laugh rose in my heart as my gaze fell back on Bella.Sure enough, before I could say a word, Bella had already stood up with the child in her arms, tears welling in her eyes."I’m sorry, Julia. This is all my fault…"Adrian only w

My sudden disappearance tore apart the family’s false harmony.According to the housekeeper who later helped manage my apartment, the day after I left, both families completely lost their footing.Calls went unanswered. Messages vanished without a trace. I cut off every possible way they could think of to reach me.This total loss of control was what enraged my parents first.Driven by a sense of offended authority, they actually brought Bella and Tia straight to my apartment.My father used the spare key to open the door and shouted into the empty rooms, "This is outrageous! Disappearing without a word! Since she’s so capable, we’ll just act like we never had this daughter!"Bella, take a look. Do you like this place? From now on, you and Tia can live here peacefully!"Bella leaned against my mother, putting on a show of obedience. "Dad, this doesn’t seem right… This is Julia’s apartment."My mother and brother immediately chimed in, their tones sharp."Forget her! Does she e