Chapter 2

My mind was a chaotic mess of memories when Julian's voice suddenly broke through from behind me.

"I'm sorry."

"I didn't know... that was your mother's memento."

I turned around, shaking my head, a professional smile plastered on my face.

"It's fine. You compensated me, didn't you?"

"This much money, I don't even know how many rings I could buy."

Julian glanced at me holding the glue, clearly not comforted. He just thought I was putting on a brave face. He lowered his eyes, his expression complex for a moment.

Seeing him silent,

I paused, then picked up my phone and continued.

"Oh, right. There's something I need to tell you..."

Before I could finish, Chloe's panicked shriek suddenly pierced the air from the guest room at the end of the hall.

"Ah! Julian, quick, come here—"

Julian's face instantly hardened. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned and ran out.

My hand, holding out the phone, froze mid-air. A digital medical report flashed on the screen: [Early Pregnancy, 6 weeks+].

I watched Julian's retreating back, the screen dimmed, and the smile on my face slowly faded.

That night, Julian didn't return to the master suite.

See?

Money, that's the only reliable thing.

I wasn't sleepy. I spent the entire night gluing the ring with that cheap adhesive.

I didn't stop until the sunlight slanted across the dressing table. The ring was barely reassembled, but it was crisscrossed with cracks, like an ugly face streaked with tears.

I picked it up, holding it against the light.

It really should be thrown away.

Then I sighed and tossed it straight into the trash can by the desk.

I stood up, about to leave. But I hesitated, walked back, and chuckled self-deprecatingly. I reached into the trash can and retrieved the valuable gemstone.

Forget it.

I can be at odds with anyone, but not with money.

I checked the time. Julian should be at the office already. I quickly tidied up, ready to go out and cash that check.

After all, with Chloe back, I needed to be prepared to be kicked out at any moment.

As I passed the dining room on the first floor, Chloe, who was eating, heard my footsteps and immediately put down her cutlery.

She mocked me playfully:

"Aurora, you're up."

"Your face looks terrible. Didn't sleep well without Julian?"

She intentionally drew out her words, deliberately adjusting the collar of her silk robe.

Revealing a few suggestive fresh red marks on her collarbone.

Seeing that I had definitely noticed, she continued to gloat.

"I'm sorry, whenever I used to fly long-haul and couldn't adjust to the time difference, Julian would always... stay with me and help me adjust my schedule. You don't... mind, do you?"

"After all, Julian and I grew up together; you can't compare to that bond."

I took a deep breath.

My heart felt a sharp, sour ache.

But it was okay. I've always been good at enduring pain, ever since I was a child.

I tilted my head, calmly reminding Chloe.

"Oh."

"But Julian and I are having our wedding at the end of the month and making it official early next month."

That sentence instantly struck a nerve with Chloe.

She abruptly stood up from her chair and yelled at me.

"What are you so proud of?!"

"If his mom hadn't been so dead set against it, we would have been together ages ago. I wouldn't have been forced to go abroad!"

"Now that I'm back, do you really think you can stay by Julian's side?"

Watching her lose her temper, I merely raised an eyebrow and mechanically repeated.

"Oh."

"But Julian and I are having our wedding at the end of the month and making it official early next month."