Chapter 2

I pleaded for his help.

Julian simply asked, "Why are you always crying?"

Then, he stepped over me with his long legs and strode away.

In that moment, for the first time, I truly felt that "Julian was a monster."

He was utterly indifferent to me.

But with his assistant, Chloe Davis, it was different.

In front of Chloe, he was like a normal person, a person with flesh and blood.

Julian once said at a press conference that Chloe made his barren soul bloom with life.

—"Her presence made me feel the sun's warmth, the captivating scent of flowers."

That day I went home, I smashed everything in the house like a madwoman.

I asked him, "Do you know what you're doing? Are you cheating on me?"

Julian's expression didn't change.

"Cheating? You shouldn't use conventional standards to define my relationship with Chloe."

With that, he continued working on his painting.

His studio was filled with sketches—all portraits of Chloe.

There were even nude portraits of Chloe...

Every brushstroke seemed to pour out all his tenderness and devotion.

As I pushed the door open to leave, Julian suddenly spoke.

"Audrey Stone, you and the children have always been mere passing guests in my life. Chloe, however, is my source of inspiration, the core of my artistic creation."

I suddenly stopped all thoughts of arguing with him, feeling only extreme exhaustion and helplessness.

It turned out Julian wasn't emotionally incapable with everyone.

I thought my life was already desperate enough.

But I never expected that later,

Even my son, for whom I would have sacrificed everything, wanted Chloe to be his mother.

My son, mimicking his father, fawned over and flattered Chloe endlessly.

"Chloe, you're so beautiful. I wish you were really my mom. My mom is just a common housewife."

...

I snapped back from my memories, smiled, and turned to leave.

"Goodbye, Mr. Sterling."

If I could, I never wanted to see Julian again in my life.

But my wrist was grabbed with force.

Julian stared at me, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.

"Let go."

I tried to pull free but was powerless against him.

Chloe glanced at me, then softly coaxed Julian.

"Julian, could you please let go of her?"

Julian, however, seemed not to hear, his brows furrowed even deeper.

When he spoke again, his words were still clumsy.

"Is it because of the miscarriage last time? But I... didn't I already give you a child?"

I laughed bitterly, pulled my hand away, and looked at Julian coldly.

"Stay away from me."

Julian had never been treated this way by me before. He stiffened slightly, seemingly unaccustomed to it.

Chloe linked her arm through Julian's, looking a little helpless.

"Audrey, don't be angry. Julian just has an emotional disorder; he doesn't know how to express himself."

Julian nodded, clearly agreeing with Chloe.

I let out a laugh.

How utterly boring.

"Julian, goodbye."

I waved my hand and walked away, my steps firm.

Julian stood rooted to the spot, his fingers trembling unconsciously.

Chloe, oblivious, tugged at his arm.

"Come on, my great painter."