Chapter 5

In the picture, that boat was bigger and more beautiful.

Most importantly, the entire hull was covered with my favorite magnolia flowers, not a single rose.

Back home, I started packing my things.

Simple clothes, documents, slowly organizing everything.

There were also photos of us together over the years, each with writing on the back.

I flipped through them one by one.

The one from Erhai Lake, he wrote: "Going to cling to Serena for life."

The one watching the sunrise together, he wrote: "Serena is more beautiful than the sunrise..."

I put them all away, hesitated for a moment, then threw them in the trash.

After a while, the sound of a car engine came from downstairs.

Because it suddenly started raining, Julian came back quite early.

The door was pushed open, bringing in a scent of Ivy's perfume.

I didn't stop what I was doing and folded the last piece of clothing.

Julian changed his shoes and walked to the bedroom door, leaning against the frame.

He casually draped his suit jacket over his arm, irritation evident in his expression.

"Are you done yet?"

His tone wasn't harsh, but it was full of condescending dismissiveness.

I glanced up at him, closed the suitcase, and prepared to zip it up.

My indifference completely wore away the last of his patience.

He strode over and yanked my suitcase away.

The force was heavy, and the case made a sharp sound.

"Are you ever going to stop?"

He frowned, his brow knotted.

"I've had a mountain of work at the company lately. I've been really busy. These past few days, you've been giving me the cold shoulder. Do you have to let everyone laugh at me?"

You're not busy. You still have time to coddle Ivy.

Most importantly, they've never been laughing at you—they've been laughing at me.

"I haven't been giving you the cold shoulder."

He grabbed my wrist, offering what he thought was a compromising concession.

"I know you're unhappy. It's just a boat and some jewelry, right? Those are all small matters."

Everything about me is a small matter, everything about Ivy is a big deal.

I looked at him and suddenly remembered what he said in the group chat that day.

Serena's the easiest to handle, loves me to death, would never dare to really make a scene.

"Let me tell you something. Tomorrow Ivy and I are going on a business trip."

He leaned down, brought his face close to my ear, and threw out what he thought was his most enticing chip.

"When I get back from the trip, I'll make time to get the marriage certificate with you."

"You've waited seven years. Isn't this what you've been waiting for? I'll satisfy you."

He said it as if it were the most natural thing, as if getting the marriage certificate was some great favor to me.

In his heart, the wedding boat could be given to someone else, his favoritism could be given to someone else.

All the exceptions and special treatment could belong to Ivy.

Only that cold marriage certificate was my fate.

I looked at him and suddenly laughed.

Laughing at how my seven years had rotted on that wedding boat covered in roses that never belonged to me.

And seeing me laugh, Julian thought I'd been appeased, completely relaxed, his expression growing even more at ease.

"Happy now? Wait for me at home like a good girl."

He walked toward the door, taking out his phone and tapping it twice as he went.

"I still need to video call Ivy and prepare for tomorrow..."

I interrupted him.

"Julian, I'm going back to the waterside town tomorrow. I need to..."

His phone suddenly rang.

He raised his hand, stopping what I was about to say.

"Ivy, what's wrong?"

The voice on the other end sounded panicked.

"Don't be scared, I'm coming right over."

Hanging up, he put on his jacket while saying to me:

"It's thundering outside. Ivy's most afraid of thunder. I'm going to check on her."

"Whatever it is, we'll talk later."

Then he hurried out.

The words "get married" were forcibly swallowed back.

...

Julian rushed out. On the road, his phone buzzed a few times.

He scoffed, assuming that since he'd just agreed to get the marriage certificate with me, I was getting anxious again.

When he reached the building where Ivy lived, he opened his phone, only to find it wasn't a message from me.

"Julian, remember to attend the wedding of the Ashford heir next week."

Following that was a picture of a wedding invitation.

After seeing the content clearly, his hand froze on the car door.