Chapter 4

It didn't matter anymore. Whatever the reason, betrayal and hurt were undeniable facts.

I hailed a cab, intending to go home and pack. While waiting, I saw Julian at the crossroads. He and Chelsea were strolling hand-in-hand down the bustling street, looking like a couple deeply in love, sweet and charming. Chelsea kissed Julian's cheek and giggled. "I had my check-up today, and the baby is very healthy."

"The doctor says it's a boy! In five more months, you'll have a son!"

Julian smiled. He thoughtfully took off his coat and draped it over Chelsea. "You silly girl, you're pregnant and still don't take care of yourself."

"I bought you a villa in Bali. Move in with me. Winter here is too cold; I'm afraid you won't be able to bear it."

Then Julian prattled on about many other things. He spoke of pregnancy precautions. He spoke of postpartum care methods. He said he would do everything he could to protect this child. Those words, mixed with the cold wind of winter, slowly tore my heart apart, piece by piece.

Finally, Julian took Chelsea's hand. He fastened the lucky charm I had once bought for our child around Chelsea's neck. "I've named our baby Lucky. Lucky and prosperous."

That was the name I had chosen for my first child. That was the eternal wound in my life. I remembered Julian and I, once truly in love. But now, Julian was giving that gift to another woman. He was making up for his failings to me and our child by showering his mistress and illegitimate son with attention. How absurd and tragic.

I took a deep breath, trying to pretend I didn't care. But Chelsea, sharp-eyed, spotted me. "Julian, your old hag is here to check up on you again."

"Honestly, some people just need to stop seeking attention, okay?"

She fiddled with the lucky charm, scornfully adding, "Your useless dead child, how could he compare to the baby in my belly?"

"Instead of crying here, why don't you go home and rest? You're old enough, even if you manage to get pregnant with a second child, it's not certain you'll carry it to term."

"If you lose this baby, Julian won't even look at you!"

She was trying to provoke me, hoping I'd miscarry again and lose my child. But what she didn't know was that the child was already gone. And I no longer needed Julian's love.

When morning came, I would leave this place. By then, Julian and I would both return to our original paths. He would become that penniless nobody again.

I took one last look at Julian, completely without attachment. "Julian, you will regret this."

"Because you forgot who gave you everything you have."

Julian tried to say something, but Chelsea held him back. He looked back again and again but ultimately didn't follow. Moonlight streamed down, casting silver-grey light everywhere. I dragged my weary body away, alone.

In the last few hours, I paid off the housekeeper, Maria, and asked her to dispose of all my old things with Julian. Then, I waited alone at the airport for dawn.

As the sun began to rise, a private jet landed before me. "Miss Sterling, I've come to take you home."

The plane flew over the city, letting all the past condense into nothingness. From now on, Julian and I would be separated by an ocean, never to meet again in this life.

***

Julian woke suddenly from a nightmare. He remembered that sorrowful look in my eyes from last night, and a sudden unease settled in his heart. He picked up his phone, intending to make a call. But the breaking news headline caught his attention—

"Heiress to Fortune Weds Shipping Tycoon."

"Numerous corporations announce divestment, Sterling Group faces severe repercussions."