Chapter 5

Natalie's POV

After leaving the hospital, I headed straight back to the villa to pack a few things.

Then, I hailed a cab to a luxury consignment shop.

Over the past three years, Julian had never been stingy with gifts.

Haute couture gowns, limited-edition designer bags, and entire jewelry suites snagged at overseas auctions.

To play the role of the devoted boyfriend convincingly, he had spoiled me to no end.

I had once treasured every single piece as proof of his love, locking them carefully inside a safe, too afraid to even wear them on ordinary days.

The consignment shop owner took one look at the two large suitcases I hauled in and sucked in a sharp breath.

"Ms. Evans, these are ultra-luxury pieces. Some of them can't be bought even with all the money in the world. Are you sure you want to part with all of it?"

"Yes. I don't want any of it. Cash it all out for me, preferably today." I didn't feel an ounce of regret letting it all go.

I had never been vain; keeping them around was useless compared to something practical.

Once the appraisal was finished, the owner wired the funds directly into my account.

Staring at the updated balance, I pulled up my phone and checked the medical bills Julian's private hospital had covered for my father over the years.

I calculated the total down to the cent, tacked on three years of interest, and transferred every single penny straight into Julian's personal account.

Only then did I dial the direct line of the director at the military hospital.

"Dr. Lewis, I've secured all the funds. I will immediately wire the transfer fees and the subsequent treatment costs to the military hospital's account."

"Understood, Ms. Evans. The moment the funds arrive, we'll coordinate the transfer plan. Rest assured."

Hanging up, I returned to the villa.

I placed the black card Julian had given me on the coffee table, right beside the six-carat diamond engagement ring.

With that done, I stepped into the walk-in closet, pulled out a black backpack, and started packing my final belongings.

Truth be told, very little in this place actually belonged to me.

It took only a few minutes to finish. Next, I booked a flight to the base.

Just as I finished wrapping everything up, Julian walked through the front door.

He slipped off his shoes and stepped into the living room. As his gaze brushed past the coffee table, he abruptly froze.

"What kind of scene are you making now?" Julian walked over, picking up the black card and the ring, his brows drawing together. "Refusing to use the card? Not wearing the ring? Are you still throwing a tantrum over that necklace from this afternoon?"

I sat on the sofa, zipping up my backpack without glancing at him.

"I don't need them anymore."

Julian let out a dry, mocking chuckle and shed his suit jacket.

He sat down across from me, visibly suppressing his irritation, trying to sound reasonable. "I already had someone order a pink diamond necklace. It'll arrive in a couple of days. That should be enough to satisfy you, shouldn't it?"

"Julian," I said, looking up to interrupt him evenly. "I refunded all of my father's medical bills to your account today. I cleared three years of interest alongside it."

Julian froze.

He pulled out his phone to check his personal account.

Three hours ago, a substantial wire transfer had indeed landed, marked with the note: *Medical bills settled in full.*

His expression darkened instantly.

"Where did you get that kind of money?" He glared at me, his eyes turning arctic.

"I sold everything you ever gave me."

Julian's face contorted with anger.

"You sold them? You did that on purpose just to pick a fight with me?"

I stood up. "Mr. Foster's gifts are far too lavish. The daughter of a hit-and-run driver isn't worthy of wearing them."

I turned to walk upstairs.

"Stop right there!" Julian gripped my wrist with terrifying force.

He stared at me, fury boiling in his eyes, just on the verge of detonating.

*Buzz—*

The phone in his pocket began to vibrate.

Serena's name flashed across the screen.

Taking a deep breath, he released my wrist and answered it.

"Julian, where are you?" Serena's panicked sobs spilled through the speaker. "There's thunder outside the hospital. I'm so scared... please come be with me!"

Julian's face shifted instantly. Without even grabbing his jacket, he bolted toward the front door.

"Don't be afraid. I'm on my way!"

The heavy door slammed shut with a resounding bang.

I rubbed the red marks blooming across my wrist.

Looking around the cavernous, empty living room, I found it almost laughable.

Serena truly had a gift; a single whim from her lips could command Julian's undivided attention in a heartbeat.

It seemed all the rumors circulating in high society about Julian falling for me were nothing but lies.

And I had been foolish enough to let myself believe it.

I walked over to the calendar and drew a red line through today's date.

Eight days left until the wedding.

Eight days. It would pass in the blink of an eye.