Chapter 4

I stared at him. "Didn't you leave in the middle of the night? Julian, I didn't say I was coming to the cemetery. How did you know I'd be here?"

Julian actively took my hand. "My stomach wasn't feeling well yesterday. I saw you were in the bathroom, so I went to the hospital myself. This morning, I came back and heard Aunt Camila say she wanted to come with you to pay respects, so I tagged along."

It was an almost perfect lie.

I mumbled an 'hm' and said nothing more.

When we arrived at the cemetery, seeing the two gravestones side by side, a wave of sadness washed over me.

The two people who loved me most in this world were also gone.

Seeing the tears in my eyes, Camila walked over and gently patted my shoulder. "Chloe, even though your parents are gone, you still have Julian. He'll take care of you for the rest of your life, and your baby is about to be born. You'll have a new family."

She spoke with such conviction, as if she had already affirmed for Julian the eternal truth of our marriage.

And after she finished speaking, Julian quickly chimed in.

"Yes, I'll take good care of you and the baby. Don't be sad."

Hearing his words, I only felt irony.

He promised to take care of me for life, not out of love, nor responsibility.

But for another woman, and his unspeakable selfish desires.

I swallowed those emotions, looking up at the photos of my parents.

"Yes, I will definitely have a new home."

But it would have nothing to do with Julian anymore.

After paying our respects, a light rain began to fall.

Camila and I sat in the back seat, with Julian driving.

Finding the atmosphere in the car heavy, Camila initiated a topic. "I heard a new Italian restaurant opened on the south side of town. How about we try it for lunch?"

Julian immediately turned the car in that direction. "They say the owner is Italian, and the Western food they make is very authentic."

"Is that so? The pizza I had in Paris..."

The two of them started chatting, moving from Western food to Nordic scenery, then to their experiences over the past few days.

No matter what one said, the other could quickly pick up the conversation, never letting the atmosphere grow awkward.

They were as in sync as a couple who had been together for many years, sharing everything.

The thought flashed through my mind, and I scoffed at myself.

They had indeed been together for many years. The places they'd been, the things they'd done for each other, their familiarity with one another.

It was far beyond what I, a mere substitute, could ever compare to.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Julian habitually handed the menu to Camila.

She took it, about to open it, then remembered something and handed it to me instead.

"Pregnant women must have many dietary restrictions, Chloe. You order."

I ordered a few things casually. When the dishes arrived, Julian frowned.

"You can't eat any of these dishes. Did you forget the doctor's instructions?"

Camila also turned to look at my belly, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Chloe, aren't you four months pregnant? Why does your belly not look like it's that far along?"

Julian instantly stood up, intending to come over and check, but accidentally bumped into a server who was distributing food.

The serving cart overturned, and all the dishes spilled out.

He instinctively shielded Camila, blocking the hot soup and cold dishes from hitting her.

I wasn't so lucky.

All the freshly cooked hot soup splashed onto my legs, immediately forming a patch of blisters.

My face crumpled in pain, cold sweat dripping from my forehead.

The rising heat enveloped me. I clutched the tablecloth tightly, watching Julian pick up Camila and rush away.

In that instant, my heart plummeted to rock bottom.

The scene was chaotic. The server quickly helped me to a safe area.

Just outside, I saw Camila and Julian arguing.

"I told you I'm fine! You should go back and take care of Chloe now!"

"Your hand is all red and scalded! Why are you trying to be so tough? I'll take you to the hospital first, then come back for her, Camila. Why do you have to be so stubborn? You were so worried about me just now, afraid I'd get scalded. Don't you actually still have feelings for me?"

"So what if I do, so what if I don't?! Julian, we broke up! You married Chloe, and she's carrying your child!"

Hearing Camila's painful shout, Julian's eyes immediately reddened.

"You clearly know that in my heart, she'll never be as important as you!"

Camila froze for a few seconds. Just as she was about to speak, she looked up and saw me standing at the doorway.

Her pupils contracted sharply, and her voice was filled with unprecedented panic.

"Chloe, why are you out here?!