Chapter 2

As I was about to step out of the mansion's main doors, Julian Thorne suddenly called out to me.

"Celeste, leave that heirloom bracelet with the calming effect. Briar's been having nightmares lately."

The bracelet was my parents' legacy, their only keepsake for me.

Meeting my reddened eyes, Julian's gaze was utterly cold:

"Name your price."

Nine years of a marriage that felt like I was worth dirt. How much was that even worth?

I couldn't be bothered to calculate.

I only knew that last time, when I refused to give Briar my goggles at the ski resort, the consequence was him stripping me bare and leaving me stranded halfway up the mountain.

I took off my heirloom bracelet and placed it on Briar's wrist.

"May the child in your womb be safe and sound," I told her.

Upon hearing my blessing, Julian, for once, offered me a way out:

"Celeste, as long as you're obedient enough, my child will be your child."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the bracelet on Briar's wrist slipped and shattered.

Seeing Briar's leg scratched, Julian swept her up in a bridal carry.

He sharply ordered Mr. Henderson, the butler, to call Dr. Miller, the family doctor.

The sight of his frantic worry made everyone present look at me with amusement.

This scene, it wasn't just amusing to them.

Even I found it laughable.

Last night, when I had a heart attack, Julian was about to leave to watch meteor showers with Briar.

Even as I foamed at the mouth and collapsed to the floor, he remained expressionless, stepping right over me.

Before losing consciousness, I heard him instruct Mr. Henderson:

"Have the entire living room disinfected. Briar's coming home tomorrow, and I won't have her smelling any foul odors."

Clutching the handle of my luggage, I turned to leave, but his cold hand seized my wrist:

"Apologize."

"Wha—"

Before I could finish, he'd already dragged me to my knees at Briar's feet.

My knees scraped against the shattered fragments, staining the white floor crimson.

Seeing the blood, Julian’s eyes flashed with disgust, and he let go.

"You deliberately broke Briar's bracelet and injured her. Don't you think you should apologize to her?"

After marrying Julian, "I'm sorry" had become my catchphrase.

The soup I made was too bland, I'm sorry.

Worried he might get drunk and feel unwell, I messaged him and bothered him, I'm sorry.

I accidentally saw a text from Briar inviting him to a hotel, invading his privacy. Truly, I was sorry...

Biting hard on the inside of my cheek, I resigned myself and straightened up.

After bowing deeply to Briar and repeating my apologies three times,

I looked at Julian with indifference.

"Is that enough?" I asked softly.

Staring at the trickle of blood at the corner of my lips, his chest noticeably heaved.

"Celeste, my grandfather isn't here to help you. Who are you putting on this disgusting show of pity for?"

Before I could reply, Dr. Miller, the family doctor, arrived in a hurry.

Julian shoved me out of the way and led the doctor to Briar's side.