Chapter 5

When I opened my eyes again, it was early morning the next day.

My throat felt like it was on fire, and my head was pounding.

I should have let go long ago, but I just couldn’t. I had to see it with my own eyes.

Now I understood. Julian no longer loved me; only hate remained.

I walked to the corridor and made a call. The person on the other end was eager to take credit:

“I’ve taken care of your mother’s situation.”

“See you in three days.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

What I didn’t notice was Celeste standing not far behind me.

At this moment, the usual gentleness was gone from Celeste’s face. She bit her lower lip, a flicker of jealousy quietly crossing her eyes.

Celeste had returned on her own initiative. Julian was pleased, but she could tell he was a bit distracted.

Even when she brought up marriage, he seemed uninterested, changing the subject several times.

But yesterday, she had seen with her own eyes Julian frantically scoop me up and call a doctor to treat me.

His eyes held a worry he might not even have noticed himself.

She finally understood.

Julian’s distraction and repeated hesitation were all because of Sera Thorne.

A young, beautiful, temperamental girl.

Someone unique enough to make him pause.

Celeste took a deep breath and stepped forward:

“You’re awake? How are you feeling?”

I hung up the phone, turned to look at her, and gave a casual smile.

Celeste continued to chat with me:

“I heard you and Leo were college classmates.”

“Julian and I were too. Back then, his pursuit of me caused such a scandal, Grandfather Sterling was furious.”

“But he took ninety-nine lashes just to be with me.”

I listened to Celeste, my heart a tangled mess of emotions.

My head was still hazy. Feeling the ache in my heart, I closed my eyes.

Celeste didn’t stop, suddenly taking my hand:

“We’re fated. You can call me by my nickname, ‘Celeste,’ from now on.”

The name “Celeste” made my eyes widen instantly.

I was momentarily dazed, my heart feeling like it was being cruelly squeezed. My throat tightened, and I couldn’t utter a single word.

I leaned on the railing, only hearing her last sentence:

“Did you see the Eustoma in the yard?”

“That’s my favorite flower. Julian just loves these romantic gestures…”

I had never felt my heart ache so much, as if it were being torn out of my chest.

“Sera, these are Eustoma, also known as thornless roses, symbolizing eternal love.”

“Sera, do you like them?”

Compared to the thornless Eustoma, I probably preferred thorny red roses.

But because of the words "eternal love,"

My heart had surged, and I’d embraced him, saying "I love them" with tears for the first time in my life.

But now.

Sera, Celeste.

It turned out I had never truly entered Julian’s heart.

Not for a single second!

No hate, no love, nothing!

Every time Julian called my name, he was just calling someone else through me.

I was merely a vessel for his longing.

More painful than having and losing was never truly having it at all, yet foolishly believing I did, secretly rejoicing over thin air.

Just then, Leo pushed open the door. Seeing me in tears, he immediately rushed to hug me.

I tried to push him away, but I saw the boy’s eyes were also red.

Even though he couldn’t speak, I knew it was worry.

On the other side, Celeste watched us, then suddenly smirked:

“Leo loves you this much, even in his condition, so why are you still trying to steal *my* Julian?”

At her words, I recoiled in shock, startled by the jealousy on her face. But Celeste held on tight.

I forcefully yanked my arm away. Celeste’s lips curved into a smile.

She deliberately stumbled backward, dragging Leo with her as they tumbled down the stairs.

Several loud thuds shattered the morning quiet of the old mansion.

Julian rushed out of his room. Seeing the terrible scene on the ground, his eyes blazing crimson, he charged over.

Julian shoved me away.

My waist hit the railing, my knees buckled, and I fell down after them.