Chapter 5

Clara's POV

When I woke up, I saw Julian sitting by the bed, working on his laptop.

Seeing my eyes open, he quickly put down his computer. "Baby, you're awake. How do you feel? Still uncomfortable?"

My head felt heavy and cloudy, my body burning as if on fire.

Julian, with a mix of concern and apology, helped me sit up. "I'm sorry, baby. It's all my fault for not giving the driver clear directions to pick you up. He went to the wrong place, and you got caught in the rain."

Was it truly his fault for giving the driver wrong directions, or was he just so eager to see Vivian that he completely forgot to send anyone for me?

A cold, bitter laugh echoed in my heart, but I was too weak to challenge him.

Julian picked up the chicken soup the housekeeper had brought. "You must be hungry. I'll feed you some soup."

His gentle, caring demeanor made it seem as if the Julian I knew had returned.

Every time I was sick or in pain before, he would always patiently stay by my side and take care of me.

His anxious attention, his tenderness, his thoughtfulness-they once made me believe I had found a man worth entrusting my life to, and so I gave him everything without reservation.

But now, having witnessed firsthand how he repeatedly abandoned me for Vivian, I could no longer feel that familiar sweetness or happiness.

Perhaps out of guilt, Julian stayed by my side in the villa for several days while I was ill.

The day my fever broke and I started to feel better, he took my hand and led me out.

"Some friends invited me horseback riding. Since you've recovered, it's a good chance to get some fresh air."

At the stables, I realized Vivian was there too.

Vivian, dressed in riding gear, smiled sweetly. "Julian, you're so good to your assistant. You bring her out horseback riding right after she's recovered from being sick."

Julian and his friends looked slightly uncomfortable.

Someone quickly laughed to smooth things over, and another person came to help me put on my safety gear.

Once my gear was on, I turned and saw Vivian pouting unhappily in the distance, while Julian was softly coaxing her.

"She only got sick because of me. I'm just taking her out horseback riding to make it up to her. Please don't mind her being here, okay?"

He reached up and pinched Vivian's nose-a gesture he once reserved only for me.

I curled my lips in a sarcastic smile, feeling an indescribable bitterness in my heart.

Didn't he get tired of juggling two women?

Turning my head, I looked away from them and chose a gentle black horse from the stable.

Julian had taken me horseback riding many times before. Each time, he would carefully check and adjust my saddle and teach me how to hold the reins.

But this time, seeing him waiting on Vivian hand and foot, I didn't bother him.

I skillfully took the reins and rode the horse, completing several laps around the arena. Unnoticed, Vivian rode her horse next to me.

"I know all about you and Julian being together for seven years."

I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, remaining silent, not engaging.

Vivian raised her ring-adorned hand. "But what does it matter? The person he wants to marry is me."

I understood. Vivian was afraid I'd cling to Julian, and she was here to gloat and assert her dominance.

I couldn't help but sneer, "If that's the case, why do you feel the need to come and show off to me?"

"Because you did spend seven years of your youth on him. He's soft-hearted; he doesn't know how to break up with you."

Julian and his friends were chatting and laughing in the distance, completely oblivious to us.

Vivian continued, "But this can't go on. It's not good for any of us. He needs to make a choice."

I was about to say that Julian didn't need to make any choice because I had already decided I didn't want him.

But Vivian preempted me, hooking her lips into a smile. "Tell me, if something happened to both of us at the same time, who would he be more worried about? You, or me?"

Before I could react, Vivian whipped her riding crop hard against my horse's flank. The black horse shied, rearing its front hooves, and Vivian immediately whipped her own horse.

Instantly, both horses shied and bolted, neighing as they galloped wildly forward.

Julian, sensing the commotion, looked over, gasping in alarm. "Clara... Vivian!"

I desperately clung to the reins, while Vivian let go of her stirrups and reins, allowing the frantic horse to throw her off.

Julian's pupils violently constricted. "Vivian!!"

Meanwhile, I was also thrown from my crazed horse, one foot accidentally caught in the stirrup. The panicked black horse dragged me across the riding arena, for countless laps.

By the time the staff arrived and brought my horse under control, I was already covered in blood from scrapes, every inch of my body aching with intense pain.

Before I lost consciousness, the last thing I saw was Julian anxiously scooping Vivian into his arms and striding away with a cold, determined expression, never once looking back to check on my injuries.

I smiled, a heart-wrenching, bitter smile.

Thankfully, I hadn't expected much from him anyway.