Chapter 3

My lips quivered, but before I could utter a word, Julian erupted in fury.

He slammed the glass of milk violently onto the floor; shards of glass scattered, and the milky-white liquid splashed chillingly cold against my feet.

“I thought you had reformed, but it seems you had a new trick up your sleeve.”

His voice was like ice, his eyes filled with disgust and rage.

“Let me tell you, I will never have feelings for a young girl, especially not one I raised since childhood. I am not an animal. Even if you stood naked before me, I wouldn’t spare you a glance.”

With that, he turned and strode away, his back as rigid as an iceberg.

I stood rooted to the spot, my fingers tightly gripping the hem of my clothes, knuckles white.

My throat felt constricted, unable to utter a sound.

Soon, muffled, intimate sounds drifted from the room next door.

“Julian, gentle… Aurora is in the next room.”

Julian didn’t respond, but the sticky sound of kissing grew louder.

Then came Vivian’s moans, each one more fervent than the last.

The creaking of the bed also intensified with each movement.

I knew Julian was deliberately warning me, making me understand my place.

I was indeed in pain, but this suffering wasn't because I still loved him.

My affection for him had been completely consumed during those three years of hell.

When he sent me to The Sterling Institute, Julian had told me, “Aurora, remember, I will never love you.”

Three years later, I had learned my place, and I no longer dared to love him.

My pain stemmed from hearing those sounds every night during those three years.

Some were others’, some were my own.

Those sounds clung to me like a nightmare, from which I couldn't escape.

I began to kneel on the floor in my room, facing the direction of The Sterling Institute, bowing my head repeatedly.

Thump, thump, thump. The dull, grating sound of my forehead hitting the floor was sickening.

“I don’t love Julian anymore, I don’t love Julian anymore, I will never love Julian again…”

I chanted like a madwoman, my voice hoarse and numb, as if only this could free me from those painful memories.

The next morning, I sat at the dining table, head bowed, mechanically eating breakfast.

Julian and Vivian came downstairs.

Vivian’s neck was covered in hickeys, and her smile was bright, almost painfully so.

I kept my gaze fixed, as if none of it concerned me.

After breakfast, I stood up to leave, but Julian called out, “Stop right there. What happened to your forehead?”

I paused, my voice numb, “I accidentally bumped it.”

With that, I turned to leave.

I had already made up my mind: I would endure these remaining eight days in my room, then truly fly away.

Julian’s voice suddenly sharpened. “What kind of bump could do that to your head? Are you trying to find another way to…”

Before he could finish, Vivian interrupted him, “Julian, don’t be so harsh on the girl.”

She smiled at me. “Aurora, Julian and I are going to look at wedding venues today. Would you like to come with us?”

I was about to refuse when Julian snapped, “I just told you yesterday to get along with Vivian. Have you forgotten everything already?”

I lowered my head, my voice faint, “Okay.”

After visiting several venues, Vivian finally decided to hold the wedding on a cruise ship.

Julian took a business call midway and went inside the cabin.

Vivian and I stood on the deck, the sea breeze carrying a salty scent.

We walked in silence.

I wasn’t comfortable being with people like this, and just as I was about to quietly slip away, Vivian suddenly called out to me.

“Aurora, I’ve always been curious, what kind of shameless person would fall for her own guardian?”

My body stiffened abruptly, my fingers gripping the railing tightly.

Vivian noticed my shock and chuckled softly.

“Curious how I knew? I’d heard Julian had a pampered little girl by his side, but then he suddenly sent you away to learn proper conduct. I was curious, so I looked into it. That’s how I found out how utterly outrageous you were, to actually fall for the man who raised you since childhood.”

My face was pale, my lips trembling slightly.

“I…”

Before I could finish, Vivian turned, her eyes cold and sharp.

“I’ve loved Julian for many years. Now he’s finally agreed to marry me, and I won’t allow anything to go wrong, not a single hitch. Nor do I want a ‘third party’ constantly interfering in our lives after we’re married, do you understand?”

I closed my eyes, my voice trembling, “I understand, Vivian. Don’t worry, I’ll leave.”