Chapter 2

Natalie Evans POV

Early the next morning, Julian returned.

He still carried a faint scent of alcohol.

"Natalie?"

He called out out of habit, his voice dripping with tenderness.

But I knew it was all an act.

I didn't answer him.

The house was dead silent.

Julian pushed open the bedroom door.

I was sitting at the vanity, calmly putting the rings from my jewelry box into a bag.

Julian wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder, his voice gentle. "Sorting your jewelry? Only ten days until our wedding. Have you tried on the tiara that was flown in from Italy yesterday?"

He was testing me.

He wanted to see me basking in false happiness, eagerly looking forward to becoming Mrs. Foster.

I didn't pull away.

Looking at Julian's affectionate face in the mirror, I only felt sick to my stomach.

If I hadn't heard him with my own ears last night, I might have truly believed him.

"Julian Foster." I cast my gaze down, my voice flat. "Let's put the wedding on hold."

The smile on Julian's lips froze instantly.

His gaze turned chilly. "What do you mean? The invitations are already out, and now you're telling me to put it on hold?"

He thought I was playing hard to get.

After all, for the past three years, my love for him had known no limits.

"I'm not joking." I tossed the last ring into the bag. "I just don't see the point anymore. Julian, I'm not going through with this wedding."

Julian stared hard at me.

I knew he had spent three years meticulously plotting his revenge, waiting to execute it in ten days.

If I backed out now, wouldn't all his plans be completely ruined?

"Natalie, what kind of tantrum are you throwing now?" Julian grabbed my wrist. "Is this because I didn't come home to be with you last night? There was an urgent meeting at the company, and my phone died. Be good."

Looking at his facade, I coldly wrenched my hand free.

"Julian, drop the devoted act." I took a step back, my eyes cold without a trace of warmth. "It disgusts me."

"Disgusts you?"

My words struck a nerve. He narrowed his eyes, finally tearing away his gentle mask.

"Natalie, who do you really think you are?" Julian let out a cold sneer. "If it weren't for..."

Buzz—Buzz—

Before he could finish, the phone in his pocket vibrated violently.

It was a call from his assistant.

Julian answered, and his face changed drastically. "What did you say? Serena came back early? She's in the hospital right now?!"

Hearing the name Serena, my expression shifted slightly.

So his true love had returned ahead of schedule.

How ironic.

Julian hung up, completely forgetting about the wedding.

Without even sparing me another glance, he turned and stormed out.

At the doorway, he paused as if suddenly remembering something.

"Natalie Evans, you're having that wedding in ten days whether you want to or not." Julian didn't look back, his voice as cold as ice. "Don't forget your father is still in my hospital. If you dare take a single step out of this house, I guarantee you won't even be able to afford his medical bills tomorrow."

With that, the front door slammed shut with a deafening bang.

I stood there, staring at the closed door.

I took out my phone and texted the caregiver at the nursing facility.

"Please help me prepare the transfer paperwork."

He wanted to use the wedding to get his revenge.

Then I would give him a wedding he would never forget.

Nine days.

I just had to endure nine more days.

Once the transfer and military medical procedures were complete, I would take my father and vanish from this man's life forever.