Chapter 4

The glass in his hand trembled, then he scoffed.

"Changed your tactics? You think I won't call you out on it? You're really not giving up, are you?"

I froze, not understanding what he meant for a moment.

He laughed coldly.

"Today you had Summer pressure me to propose, didn't you?"

"What, the forced proposal didn't work, so now you're playing hard to get?"

Only then did I understand. He thought I had Summer say that to pressure him into proposing.

I found it absurd but didn't bother explaining.

I nodded.

"Yes, the forced proposal failed, so I want to marry someone else."

After I finished, the mockery on his face deepened.

"Serena, could you really bear to break up with me? Enough already, don't blow this out of proportion. You're already 28 and we've been together for seven years. Besides me, who else could you marry? Go to bed early. Tomorrow we still need to go to my house for Grandma's birthday."

He turned and went back to the bedroom.

I watched his back, feeling only deep exhaustion.

The next day, I still went to attend Grandma Prescott's birthday party.

After all, Grandma Prescott had given me a jade ring, and I had to return it.

When I arrived at the Prescott house, Julian's mother stood at the door. Ivy was holding her arm with a bright smile, looking every bit the future daughter-in-law.

Ivy saw us first and immediately smiled, walking toward me proactively.

"Serena, Julian said you were angry. I thought you weren't coming today!"

She deliberately shook the jade bracelet on her wrist—the one the Prescott family gives to their daughter-in-law.

Grandma Prescott's was a ring, Mrs. Prescott's was a bracelet.

Julian had long ago gotten the bracelet from his mother, saying he'd personally put it on me someday.

Now, it seemed that wouldn't be necessary.

Julian also saw it and explained in a low voice.

"Ivy's just borrowing it to wear. She'll return it. Don't overthink it."

Mrs. Prescott also walked over, her expression indifferent, her tone carrying a hint of admonishment.

"You're here?"

"I heard about yesterday. It's just a boat."

"Ivy is all alone now. It's only right that we care for her more. Rein in your temper and don't make people laugh for no reason."

Everyone thought I would lose my temper, but no one stopped Julian from doing that.

I found it rather laughable.

Julian reached out to habitually put his arm around my waist, trying to comfort me with an intimate gesture as usual, but I smoothly avoided him by stepping aside.

His hand froze in mid-air, and Julian's brow instantly furrowed.

"What are you making a fuss about now?"

Julian lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of suppressed anger.

"It's Grandma's birthday. Don't ruin everyone's mood. I'll apologize to you when we get home, okay?"

I calmly raised my head to meet his gaze.

"I'm really not angry."

I took out the jade ring and handed it steadily to Mrs. Prescott.

"Mrs. Prescott, please give this to Miss Ivy as well. I won't go in and disturb Grandma Prescott."

At this, Julian's pupils suddenly contracted.

Ivy clutched her skirt, looking aggrieved yet understanding.

"Serena, are you sulking?"

"Julian, this is all my fault. I was too greedy to accept that boat..."

"I'm the one who made Serena angry. How about I return the boat and the bracelet to her..."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and hurriedly tried to remove the bracelet from her wrist.

But somehow, though the bracelet was quite loose, she couldn't get it off.

Sure enough, the tension Julian showed when he saw me take out the ring disappeared.

He laughed coldly, snatched the ring from my hand, and walked toward Ivy.

"No need to return it. I said if I'm giving it to you, it's yours. Here, wear the ring too."

Then he looked at me, his eyes full of disdain.

"Fine, Serena. Let's see how long you can keep this up!"

"Since you don't want them, Ivy can wear them all first."

"Didn't you say you weren't going in? Why are you still here?"

In the past, the more he provoked me like this, the more I'd do the opposite and would stay.

But now, I only felt relieved.

"Then I'll head back first."

Then I turned and left.

Behind me came Ivy's considerate attempt to mediate.

Julian's anger seemed even greater, his voice louder.

"Let her go! She's desperate to get married and starved for love, trying to manipulate me with this! She should look at how old she is!"

I didn't look back and got into a taxi.

Mom's message came through right then.

"Serena, look, this is your rowing boat."