Chapter 4

Hearing that, I slowly lifted my head. When I saw the sharp, strikingly handsome face that matched the photo my mother had sent me, I froze.

My ex-boyfriend just called my fiancé... cousin?

My cheek, still pressed against the man's chest, suddenly burned with heat.

"Today is the day Fiona and I register our marriage," Dominic said, his voice cold and commanding. "In three days, you're all welcome to join us for a drink at The Crescent Hotel."

Julian stared in sheer disbelief. Just as Dominic turned to carry me away, Julian lunged forward, blocking our path.

"Cousin! When did you decide to get married? My mom never told me about this!"

"Do you have any idea that the woman in your arms is my girlfriend?!"

Julian's voice was frantic and furious. But I could tell that, compared to his usual vindictive arrogance, he was holding back significantly.

"Since when do I need permission from a junior like you to decide when or whom I marry?" Dominic replied coldly.

"Even your mother has no say in my affairs. What, does a branch family think they can dictate the head of the Vance family?"

Dominic's aura was suffocatingly powerful. Two short sentences left Julian too terrified to even breathe properly.

"C-Cousin, that's not what I meant," Julian stammered.

"It's just... do you even know who she is? She's been with me for five years! For five years, she obeyed my every command just because she wanted my money! The second she got her claws into you, she dumped me. A gold digger like her doesn't deserve to step foot into the Vance family!"

Seeing that he couldn't stop Dominic physically, Julian turned to character assassination.

I wasn't angry hearing his accusations. After all, the five years were real, and my past obedience was real.

I was just heartbroken that all the sincere love I gave him had been reduced to the crime of being a gold digger.

"Julian Vance!" Dominic's tone dropped to freezing point.

"From this day on, she is your elder. Watch your mouth and remember your place."

"How are you going to explain this to the family?" Julian yelled angrily. "Even if the family approves, taking your younger cousin's leftovers... won't that ruin your reputation?"

I gripped Dominic's lapel tightly. Julian's endless harassment had drained the last ounce of my patience.

"Put me down, please," I whispered. "I want to handle this myself."

Dominic paused for a moment, then gently set me down, only letting go once he made sure I was steady on my feet.

The very second his hands left my waist, I raised my arm and slapped Julian across the face with all the strength I had left.

Smack!

Julian stared at me, eyes wide with shock. "Fiona, you dare hit me?"

"You would never have done this to me before!"

"Before, I loved you. Now, I don't."

"Say that again!" Julian grabbed my wrist tightly. For the first time in five years, I saw genuine panic in his eyes.

He clearly loved Rachel. Hearing me say I didn't love him and was leaving should have made him happy.

I couldn't fathom why he was acting so furious.

I didn't answer. I reached for Dominic's hand, ready to walk away.

"Fiona, you better think carefully!" Julian yelled behind me. "Don't ruin the rest of your life just because you're throwing a tantrum!"

I let out a bitter laugh. In the past, I would have done anything to stay by Julian's side.

But I had held on for too long—so long that the mere thought of being with him made me sick.

I cleared my throat and looked him dead in the eye. "In the five years I spent with you, my mind has never been clearer than it is right now."

"Julian, we should have ended this a long time ago."