Chapter 3

Audrey Quinn POV

With the glass studio taken, my exhibition had to be hastily relocated to my cramped artisan shop.

The opening day arrived with a torrential downpour in New York. Julian had promised to attend. He'd said that no matter what, he would never miss any important moment in my life.

I stood in a thin evening gown at the shop entrance, watching cars come and go through the rainy curtain. The cold wind, mixed with rain, chilled me to the bone.

Time ticked by, and guests began to whisper. Their murmurs pierced my ears like needles. I pulled out my phone and called Julian.

It rang for a long time before he finally picked up.

"Hello?" Julian's voice was muffled by rain and background noise.

"Where are you? The exhibition is about to start," I tried to keep my voice steady.

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then Chloe's terrified cry: "Julian, I'm scared… The thunder is so loud…"

Julian's voice immediately softened. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Then, he spoke into the phone. "Audrey, I can't make it. The old apartment complex Chloe lives in has a power outage, and rainwater is pouring into her house. She's alone and scared. You handle your exhibition yourself."

"Julian Vance," I gripped my phone tightly, my knuckles white. "This is the exhibition I've been preparing for three years. You promised me."

"It's just an exhibition. You can do another one next year," Julian's tone was impatient. "Chloe only has me right now. Be mature, don't throw a tantrum at a time like this."

Beep—

The call ended.

I listened to the dial tone, slowly lowering my arm. I turned to face the scrutinizing gazes, forcing a polite smile, and courteously greeted the guests.

That night, I stayed late at the shop. I looked at the pieces on display, into which I had poured countless hours. In the most prominent spot was a wood carving titled "Togetherness." I had carved it in Julian's likeness, every line etched with my love.

The door pushed open, and Julian walked in, smelling of rain. He glanced at the empty shop, then walked up to me.

"Are you mad?" he asked casually, as if he'd only missed an unimportant movie.

I didn't speak.

Julian walked to the display stand, his gaze falling on "Togetherness." He reached out and touched the edge of the wood carving.

"Chloe was terrified today. I spent a long time calming her down," he explained, almost boasting about being needed. "She saw my clothes were wet and insisted on making me cream of mushroom soup, but she burned her hand. She's so clumsy, but it's an endearing clumsiness."

I looked at Julian, feeling a churning sickness in my stomach.

"Did you come here just to tell me that?"

Julian withdrew his hand, pulled a velvet box from his pocket, and handed it to me.

"Compensation for you. A limited-edition diamond necklace."

I stared at the box and suddenly laughed. Tears welled up in my eyes. Before, if I even glanced at a certain raw stone, he would find a way to get it, then personally polish it into a unique piece of jewelry for me. Now, he was using a mass-produced item, something money could buy, to placate me after three years of dedication.

"No thanks," I turned my face away. "I find it dirty."

Julian's face darkened. He slammed the box onto the table.

"Audrey Quinn, don't throw a tantrum. I've already apologized, what more do you want?"

He snorted, then turned and left.

I watched his retreating back, picked up the "Togetherness" wood carving from the table, and smashed it fiercely onto the marble floor. Wood splinters flew, and the sculpture broke into two pieces. Just like our seven years of relationship, shattered beyond repair.