[My sweet girl, Julian only has eyes for you! If you leave, how will he survive?!]
[Julian is just playing hard to get, trying to make you love him more. Now he’s overplayed his hand.]
[Don’t worry, later he’ll use his power to pressure your family, and you’ll have to crawl back begging him.]
[Then you and Seraphina will be locked in a petty rivalry every day, and Julian will be secretly loving every minute of it!]
I simply gave a cold glance at the floating comments just as our car was suddenly cut off. I pulled back the tinted window, meeting Julian’s gaze head–on. He had the dazzling Seraphina draped casually in his arms. Sensing my displeasure, a smirk played on his lips.
had no desire to argue. I got out of the car, intending to walk the other way, but he grabbed my arm. “Upset?” he drawled.
I pulled my arm free. “I didn’t realize this was your car. My apologies for intruding.” Seeing Seraphina’s face tighten, I added, “May you and your beautiful companion enjoy a long and loving life together.”
The moment the words left my mouth, his expression soured, and his grip on my arm tightened.
Seraphina rolled her eyes. “Where did you come from? Interrupting people’s shopping trip?” She raised a hand to brush her newly pierced diamond earrings, then simpered at Julian “Are you jealous because no one buys you things like these?”
I asked calmly, “Do you know he’s a married man?”
She paused, then scoffed. “It’s just a family alliance, nothing to do with love. Just a dowdy old wife he keeps around for show.”
Julian let out a cold chuckle, his eyelids drooping, his dark eyes fixed on me. I nodded, my face blank, then glanced at his long, elegant fingers still clamped on my wrist. “Let go.”
Julian didn’t move. He peered at me. “I won’t be escorting you to the Spring Gala this weekend.”
Seraphina’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment, th
going with me this weekend.”
she looked me up and down. After a beat, she giggled. “Oh, so you’re his dowdy old wife. So what? Julian’s
I lowered my gaze, considering. The divorce papers should be finalized tomorrow. “Alright,” I said. “Now, can you let go?”
Julian stiffened, his face darkening. “You’re still going? With whom?”
My mind flickered through several eligible bachelors, all from good families, handsome and charismatic. I replied earnestly, “I haven’t decided yet, but I’m sure I can pick someone out once I get home.”
The air became suffocatingly silent, save for the subtle glances from passersby. Then, the bullet comments erupted again:
[Oh my God, Julian is going to be furious.]
[Julian: Can’t you just tear up and play nice? Why do you have to provoke me?]
(Ellie, just flirt with him! Cry a little! Don’t waste your beauty and his love for you!]
Seriously, Ellie, don’t be stubborn. When Julian really loses it, there’s no telling what he’ll do… He might crush your family, then lock you up. Then you’ll fall in line.] “Eleanor, well done,” Julian ground out, his voice dropping to an icy whisper.
Chapter
10:26
He finally released my arm. I turned to leave, glancing at the earrings dangling from Seraphina’s neck, then meeting Julian’s gaze one last time. “You once told me you designed this style yourself, and intended it only for me.” I turned and walked away.
Julian followed, an unreadable emotion in his voice. “You still remember?”
“But I don’t need it anymore.”
“She flirts with me, dotes on me constantly… and calls me ‘my darling,” Julian murmured, his voice low. Is that why you gave her the earrings you promised me? My throat tightened, my stomach churning.
The bullet comments buzzed again:
[He’s dropping hints!]
Julian finally can’t take it anymore, hehe. Ellie, just call him ‘my darling‘ once, and he’d give his life for you.]
[Julian probably wakes up sweating from dreams of you calling him ‘my darling‘.]
I stopped, turning to face Julian, enunciating each word. “Yes. From now on, I’ll flirt with other men, call other men ‘my darling.’ And they will meet my every desire.” “Say that again.” Julian’s voice held a chilling coldness I’d never heard from him. His large hand clamped onto my shoulder, squeezing with a force that felt like it could shatter bone. Just then, Seraphina timidly approached. “Julian, what’s wrong?” Julian didn’t even glance at her, his eyes still fixed on me.
She pouted, glaring at me. “Did you upset Julian? He’s never unhappy when he’s with me.”
My stomach churned with growing disgust. I turned away, not wanting to say another word. After a long silence, Julian’s hand dropped. He closed his eyes in frustr- ation, a dark cloud settling around him.
“She knows not to upset me, Eleanor,” he said coldly, then turned and walked away. Seraphina immediately followed, cooing sweetly. Their backs, retreating, looked like a perfectly matched couple.
The bullet comments piled up:
[Ellie just refuses to play nice, pushing away the man who loves her with her own hands.]
[Couldn’t she just say a few sweet words to Julian? Why let that manipulative bitch get her hooks in him?]
[I give up. Someone’s already spreading their story everywhere.]
