Chapter 3

Summer's eyes turned red with anger beside me, but I held her back.

After the procession ended, they were supposed to hold a banquet on the boat and drink.

Some passersby watched the excitement.

"Another couple's getting married! That wedding boat is so grand!"

Someone shouted: "Congratulations!"

Ivy stood at the bow, tugging on Julian's arm.

"Julian, I have another birthday wish."

Her voice was loud, drawing everyone's attention.

"I want... you to be my boyfriend for seven days!"

The atmosphere instantly exploded.

"Say yes! Say yes!"

Julian laughed and ruffled her hair without a moment's hesitation.

"Deal, but just seven days."

From start to finish, his gaze never once turned to me.

Ivy glanced at me without leaving a trace, her smile growing wider.

Friends in the know kept glancing over.

Some sympathetic, some watching the drama, some pitying.

It seemed like I, the ex-girlfriend, shouldn't continue staying here.

Just as I lifted my foot, Julian called out to me.

"Serena, you're leaving?"

"Yeah, it's awkward for an ex-girlfriend to stay here."

He frowned.

"Don't talk nonsense. I'm just fulfilling a young girl's wish."

"You take a cab first. I still need to take Ivy home."

"I'll bring you fried chicken tonight, okay?"

After speaking, he took the keys from my bag and rejoined the celebration.

I stared at his back, my eyes finally starting to sting.

After I got home, I received a video from Ivy.

In the video, Ivy's face was flushed red.

People pushed her into Julian's arms.

Someone joked.

"I say, why not just hold the wedding with Ivy too!"

"How can Serena compare to our Miss Ivy!"

Ivy laughed and cursed: "You're drunk."

Julian just watched with a smile on his lips but didn't deny it.

Then came a message.

"Serena, why did you leave early? I'm sending you the video so we can celebrate together!"

Strangely, seeing all this no longer stirred any waves in my heart.

I just stared at the rowing boat in the video, lost in thought.

Julian used to constantly tell me that this was a major life event for girls from the waterside town, and nothing could be compromised.

The deck had to be made of rosewood, the railings on both sides had to be wrapped with my favorite magnolia flowers, the windows on the boat had to be designed by me personally...

I still felt some regret, after all, I'd been looking forward to it for a long time.

But not for the person—for the boat.

When Julian came back, it was already late, and he entered empty-handed.

When our eyes met, he paused, then walked over and hugged me like usual.

A strong scent of perfume hit me.

The last time I wore perfume was five years ago. Back then, he frowned and said the smell of perfume made him nauseous.

Only today did I learn that his nausea was selective.

He looked at me, his tone still gentle.

"The party went a bit late. Still awake? Waiting for me?"

I didn't respond, only asking:

"Where's my carrot cake?"

Without looking at me, he picked up a nearby glass and took a sip of water.

"When I was taking Ivy home, she said she wanted to try it, so I gave it to her. Didn't you say you wanted to lose weight for the marriage certificate photo? We can eat it another time, okay?"

This was the third time he'd said this. I'd been saying I wanted to eat it since half a month ago.

He said he'd buy it, bought it three times.

The first time, halfway there, Ivy called him to accompany her to view houses.

The second time, Ivy was being ostracized by her colleagues, so Julian went to eat sushi with her.

And then today.

I sighed and suppressed the sourness in my heart.

"Julian."

"Let's break up."