Chapter 3

Soon it was Julian’s turn to try on a suit.

Because of my duty as an employee, I could only suppress my emotions and raise my hands to help him put on the jacket.

He looked at Chloe not far away and spoke in a voice only the two of us could hear.

“Don’t get too close, Chloe will misunderstand.”

My hands stopped.

Julian took a step back, his tone distant: “I can do it myself.”

Chloe stuck close to him and chattered about the poses they would shoot later.

The assistant praised them from the side: “You two really are a perfect match, handsome and beautiful, it’s so enviable.”

Chloe leaned lazily in the chair, not even bothering to lift her eyes to look at me.

“Go pour me a cup of hot water.”

I nodded silently and brought the water to her.

She took it, her gaze glued to Julian: “Lift the train a little, don’t let it drag on the floor.”

I bent down to gather the trailing veil, but found it heavy and impossible to lift.

Chloe was stepping on the skirt.

I reminded her quietly: “Miss, please lift your foot, I can’t pull it up.”

But she completely ignored my words.

At that moment, she was busy being lovey-dovey with Julian and did not spare me even the slightest glance.

After we were stuck like that for a while, my arm started aching, so I could only tug the dress hard.

Chloe, who was completely unprepared, jumped in shock.

Julian instinctively pulled her into his arms to protect her.

The cup slipped from her hand, and all the hot water spilled over the back of my hand.

The burning feeling spread quickly, the pain sharp and scorching, and my hand trembled uncontrollably.

I saw Julian’s brows furrow slightly.

A trace of hope actually rose in my heart, and I thought he would see what had happened and say even half a word in my defense.

But anger covered his features, and he only lifted his eyes to look at me coldly.

My nose stung and swelled with bitterness, and I bit my lip to keep my tears from falling.

Chloe went to get her makeup done first, leaving only Julian and me in the room.

He reached out to pull me over, worry showing on his face.

“How’s your hand?”

I endured the pain and shook him off.

“You lied to me.”

He froze when he heard that, and after a pause, he finally spoke.

“I’m doing well with Chloe, and when I’m with her, I don’t think about the old days.”

I understood what he meant, and tears fell all at once.

“What about me?”

“You can live a better life.” Julian looked at me. “I’ll give you some money…”

I raised my hand and slapped him across the face.

He turned his head to the side and pressed his lips together, but he did not dodge.

When I saw Chloe, the first thing I noticed was the ring on her hand.

Julian had long forgotten what he once said.

Five years ago, he and I were still working odd jobs, and when his first paycheck came in, it happened to be his birthday, so we bought a cake.

The candlelight made the basement seem a little less dark.

He took a velvet box out of his pocket.

My heart skipped a beat, and I thought it was a ring.

When I opened it, it was a thin silver bracelet with a heart-shaped charm.

“I’m sorry, I can’t afford a diamond ring right now.” He looked a little embarrassed. “But wear this for now, and when I find a better job, I’ll trade it for a diamond ring.”

I put the bracelet on and said with a smile, “I don’t want a diamond ring, I only want this.”

Julian held my hand, his gaze sincere: “Evelyn, wait for me, and I’ll marry you properly one day.”

Until today, I finally saw the ring, except it was on someone else’s hand.

My chest started twisting in pain again, and I gripped the fabric over my heart as my body swayed.

Julian held me up, his voice very low.

“Evelyn, I’m sorry.”

I pushed him away, took off the bracelet, and threw it on the floor.

“Julian Hayes, let’s end this here.”

Without waiting for his response, I quickly walked out of the room.

I took out a handful of medicine, stuffed it into my mouth, and swallowed dryly.

Once everything was ready, I lifted the camera and aimed it at the two people leaning against each other in the lens.

Julian’s chin rested lightly on the top of the woman’s head, and Chloe tilted her head up with smiling crescent eyes, kissing the corner of his lips.

The assistant beside them could not help teasing them and laughingly praising how blindingly sweet they were.

I pressed the shutter mechanically, recording their happiness.

It was not that we had never taken a photo together.