Chapter 4

Stella Vance POV

Late autumn in Atlantic City brought a massive storm.

I was sick.

With a fever of 103 degrees, I felt like I was burning alive, then shivering in ice.

In the vast estate, the maids ignored me.

Without Julian's permission, no one dared to call a doctor for the fallen princess of the Vance family.

As I drifted in and out of consciousness, a cool hand touched my forehead.

"Why is her fever so high?"

It was Julian's voice.

I forced my eyes open and saw him sitting by my bed, his brow furrowed with rare anxiety.

He brought a warm, wet towel and gently wiped my forehead and neck.

His touch was soft, just like it used to be years ago.

Back then, when I caught a cold from playing in the rain, he would stay by my bed all night, coaxing me to take my medicine.

"Julian..."

Delirious with fever, I clutched his sleeve, tears slipping from my eyes. "It hurts..."

Julian stiffened.

Looking at my pale, fragile face, the ice in his eyes seemed to crack.

He took my hand, his voice raspy. "The doctor is coming. Just hold on."

He pulled me into his arms, using his body heat to warm my shivering frame.

For a second, I thought I was back in the past.

I thought the Julian who loved me was still there.

I greedily clung to his warmth, a tiny spark of hope reigniting in my dead heart.

Maybe he still cared?

Maybe all this torture was just temporary anger?

Then, Julian's phone rang.

The custom ringtone was for Eva.

Julian let go of me instantly. He answered, his voice turning incredibly soft. "Eva, what's wrong?"

Eva's whimpering voice came through the receiver. "Julian, the thunder is so loud. I'm scared... Can you come over?"

Julian's expression tightened.

He looked down at me, shivering and feverish, but didn't hesitate to push me back onto the cold bed.

"Don't worry, I'm on my way."

He stood up, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door.

"Julian..." I woke up from my brief dream, looking at his back in despair. "Don't go... I'm really sick..."

He paused but didn't turn around.

"Eva has been terrified of storms since she was a kid. She has a heart condition; she can't handle shocks," he said coldly. "It's just a fever. You won't die. Take the medicine when the doctor gets here."

With that, he walked out.

A few minutes later, the butler walked in, expressionless. "Miss Vance, Mr. Thorne ordered the doctor to go to Miss Sterling's place instead. She needs the medical staff."

Not only did they take the doctor, but the butler also unplugged my only space heater, claiming "Miss Sterling's room is too cold."

I lay alone in the dark room, listening to the thunder rattle the windows.

My body was burning, but my heart was frozen solid.

That was Julian.

He excelled at giving you a taste of heaven just to drag you back to hell.

I grit my teeth, dragged myself to the bathroom, and poured a bucket of freezing water over my head.

The shock cleared my brain instantly.

I stared at the pale, broken woman in the mirror, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

Stella Vance, what are you still wishing for?

He is not your Julian anymore.

From now on, my heart must be as cold as this water.