Chapter 8

The day I was discharged, Julian came to pick up Vivian and me.

Vivian linked her arm through mine, falsely sweet, "Aurora, tomorrow is Julian’s and my wedding. Although your act of setting the fire was reckless, I don’t want to dwell on it anymore. Let’s just put the past behind us, shall we?”

I didn't speak, just lowered my head, my eyes empty.

Julian frowned, his voice tinged with displeasure. “Didn’t you hear her talking to you?”

I remained silent, as if I had lost all strength to respond.

Julian was simmering with anger, and the atmosphere in the car was suffocating.

It wasn't until the car was halfway to its destination that the hotel staff called, their tone respectful.

“Mr. Blackwood, there’s a slight issue with the wedding venue decorations. Could you come and take a look?”

Fearing I might tamper with the wedding, or repeat the incident of pushing Vivian into the sea, he and Vivian had chosen a hotel for their wedding this time.

Julian frowned and turned the car towards the hotel.

Upon arriving, Julian got out and asked the staff, “What’s the problem?”

The staff member respectfully said, “Mr. Blackwood, please follow me, I’ll show you.”

Julian nodded, then turned to Vivian and me.

“You two go rest in the room. I’ll be over after I’ve handled this.”

Vivian smiled and nodded, pulling me into the hotel room.

Inside the room, Vivian sat on the sofa, her voice laced with mockery.

“Aurora, I truly admire you. We’re getting married tomorrow, and you’re still not leaving?”

I replied, “I will leave.”

Vivian scoffed, her voice filled with disdain.

“You’ll leave? Do you really think I’ll believe that? It’s been so long, if you wanted to leave, you would have already. The only reason you haven’t is because you’re still clinging to the delusion that Julian might like you. I’m telling you, it’s impossible!”

“Julian is my fiancé now, and I’m the one he loves! To him, you’re nothing but a redundant burden!”

“Since you refuse a toast, don’t blame me for being unkind.”

With that, she clapped her hands, and the door opened.

A large group of homeless men rushed in.

Vivian then suddenly tore her own clothes, disheveled her hair, pulled open the door, and screamed loudly, crying, “Help! Julian, help!”

Julian, who had just finished up and was coming to find us, heard the screams and immediately rushed in.

Vivian, her face streaked with tears, flung herself into his arms, looking utterly traumatized.

“Julian, Aurora found a group of homeless men to attack me! She hates me, she wants to destroy me!”

Julian looked at me in disbelief, fury like a raging inferno threatening to consume the entire room.

“You truly are beyond redemption!”

I opened my mouth, wanting to explain, but Julian wouldn’t listen.

He said coldly, “Since you enjoy being humiliated so much, then you can stay here for the night!”

With that, he scooped up Vivian and turned to leave, not even sparing me a glance.

My pupils suddenly constricted, and all the blood in my body seemed to freeze instantly.

The painful memories of those years at The Sterling Institute flashed through my mind—

The dark confinement room, the cold whip, the sinister smiles of those men.

My body trembled uncontrollably, and tears streamed from my eyes.

“Uncle Julian! Save me! Please, don’t leave me here!”

I rushed forward, trying to grab Julian’s jacket, but my fingers had barely touched his clothes when he coldly shook them off.

I knelt on the floor, frantically kowtowing, my forehead hitting the floor with dull thuds.

“I was wrong! I was truly wrong! Please, don’t leave me here! Uncle Julian, save me…”

“I can’t be alone with these men, I’ll go mad, I really will go mad!”

I screamed in agony and despair, tears mixing with blood as they flowed from my forehead, staining the floor.

Since picking me up from The Sterling Institute, this was the first time he had seen me in such a state of collapse.

Julian’s steps faltered slightly, but in the end, he didn’t turn back.