Chapter 3

I still caved.

I wanted to talk to him properly.

But for three whole days, Julian didn't answer my calls and didn't come home.

Swallowing my hurt, I sent him a message.

"It was wrong of me to lose my temper without communicating first."

"But it's also true that you said you were working late but went to the movies with her."

"Tonight is our six-year anniversary. I'll be waiting for you at home."

"Can we sit down and talk, please?"

But I waited from morning till night, and he didn't come back.

As it approached eleven, I made up my mind to go to his office.

On the way, I ran into Mr. Henderson, the department head Julian had fired because of Cassie.

He grabbed me and dragged me into the shadows: "Damn it, I can't go after *her*, but you're fair game!"

Repeated unanswered calls to my private number, desperate, hopeless cries for help.

If a passerby hadn't intervened and scared him off, my injuries wouldn't have been limited to just a swollen, bruised face.

When my phone suddenly rang.

Like a startled bird, I let out a short, sharp scream.

Seeing the name on the screen, my entire back, which I'd kept rigid all night, instantly collapsed.

I almost cried out, a cry of pure relief: "Jul—"

"Hello?"

Cassie's sweet, innocent voice purred:

"Julian's in the shower~"

"I saw you called several times."

"May I ask who this is, and what's the matter?"

My throat felt like it was stuffed with burning coals.

The raw, throbbing flesh felt seared, utterly ravaged.

It hurt so much I wanted to tear out my own vocal cords.

Hanging up the phone, such a simple act, seemed to drain all my strength.

I limped, utterly humiliated, to the police station to report the assault.

When everything was finally over, and my alarm clock read 00:01 the next day.

I finally received a call from Julian.

His tone was still so arrogant: "Realize your mistake?"

I instantly understood, he had done it on purpose.

All those unanswered calls on our "anniversary."

They were his punishment for my "lack of trust" in him.

Tears streamed down my swollen face, burning like acid on an open wound.

When I spoke, my voice was a raw, rasping whisper.

I said, "Julian, let's break up."

The other end of the line was silent for just one second.

Julian scoffed, "Fine. Don't regret it."

He hung up without hesitation.

Agreeing to the breakup without a second thought.