For seven years, Julian was the man I loved. He quit smoking for me and kept all other women away. Everyone said he was a changed man, completely devoted to me. Then I heard the laughter from the private room. “Clara Sterling? I’m over her. This ring? It’s for my childhood sweetheart.” That day, I was burning up with a 104-degree fever while he went horseback riding with his true love. He left me stranded in the suburbs, forcing me to walk miles back to the city, my blood staining the path behind me. Later, I reclaimed my identity as the Sterling heiress. I pulled our investments and cut off his company’s lifeline. At my wedding, he barged in desperately, only to be blocked and escorted out by my new husband. My new husband gently wiped my tears. “Don’t let him ruin this for you.” And there was Julian, kneeling on the shattered glass, finally understanding. He hadn’t lost a replacement. He had lost the only light his world would ever have. Clara’s POV To the world, Julian Quinn, the ultimate ladies’ man, was reformed because of me. He stopped chasing other women and reined in his wild ways. Because I hated smoke, Julian quit. Because I valued punctuality, he imposed a strict 10 PM curfew on himself. He’d drive three hours to bring me my favorite dessert from that shop downtown. He’d clear his calendar of billion-dollar deals to personally nurse me through a cold. Everyone called him a reformed man, utterly devoted to me. I believed it, too. Until our seventh anniversary year, when I overheard the laughter from behind a private room door. “Julian, Clara’s been with you for so long. Are you two getting married soon?” My hand, poised to knock on the door, froze. A surge of nervous excitement, sharp and thrilling, shot through me. Julian and I had been together for a full seven years, from the age of twenty to twenty-seven. It wasn’t that I hadn’t brought up marriage before, but each time, Julian would say we were still young, no need to rush. His friend chuckled. “Word is, you ordered an engagement ring and hid it from Clara. Planning a surprise?” An engagement ring? Hope surged, warm and bright, in my chest. Then three seconds later, Julian’s voice cut through it. “That ring isn’t for proposing to Clara.” It felt like a bucket of ice-cold water, suddenly dumped over my head, freezing me to the bone. My entire body went rigid. His friend sounded confused. “Then… what is it for?” Julian’s deep voice slowly replied, “It’s for Vivian.” “Vivian? Your childhood sweetheart? Isn’t she always globetrotting? What, is she coming back?” “Yes, she said she’s returning soon.” “So, you’re going to propose to Vivian?” Julian paused, then a soft, tender smile entered his voice. “She always valued her freedom. So we agreed, while we were young, we’d both explore other people. If neither of us was married by twenty-seven, we’d get together.” “Well, Julian, that’s something! Everyone thought you were head-over-heels for Clara, but it turns out you had an agreement with Ms. Vivian all along.” “Ms. Vivian is so free-spirited and vibrant. She travels to countless countries every year. Her perspective and charisma? Clara’s quiet, docile personality can’t even compare.” “But Clara’s been with you for seven years. Will she agree to break up?” “Ha, what if Clara doesn’t agree? She’s a nobody with no connections; Julian can just throw some money her way to get rid of her.” Laughter erupted from the room, each peal a sharp, burning pain piercing my chest. I subconsciously clenched my hands, my nails digging into my palms, praying Julian would say something to deny it. A moment passed, then his casual voice drifted out- “Clara is too docile, almost boring. At first, her quiet, compliant nature felt refreshing, unlike other women who were loud and annoying. But after all these years, I’ve definitely grown tired of it.” Disbelief clawed at my throat. Seven years of my life, seven years of companionship, reduced to his single sentence- I was too docile, too boring, and he was tired of me. So, he’d only been with me for seven years because Vivian had agreed to try dating other people first. And his constant excuse that we were “still young, no need to rush into marriage”? It was because he never planned to marry me. His chosen bride was someone else entirely. Tears welled in my eyes, blurring the world. Suddenly, I realized these past seven years had been nothing but a cruel joke, a complete farce. Every breath was a sharp, searing pain. I forcibly suppressed the urge to burst through the door, turning in silence. Leaving the club, I pulled out my phone and dialed. “Dad, pull the investment from Quinn Corporation.” My father on the other end sounded shocked. “Years ago, when the Quinn family was in trouble, and Quinn Corporation was on the brink, you were the one who insisted Julian was promising, begging me to invest and help them. Why the sudden change of heart? Has Julian upset you?” “Just don’t ask so many questions.” My eyes burned with unshed tears as I bit my lip. “Also, I agree. I’ll come back for the arranged marriage.”
Clara’s POV My father sounded even more surprised. “Are you serious?” “Yes.” My father promised, “Don’t worry, the man I’ll find for your arranged marriage will be a thousand times better than Julian. Once you’re back, I’ll immediately withdraw the investment from Quinn Corporation.” I softly affirmed, ending the call with my father. Julian didn’t know that I wasn’t some Cinderella. I was Clara, heiress of the powerful Sterling family in Manhattan. Seven years ago, I moved from Manhattan to Las Vegas for university, where Julian and I were classmates. Our paths first crossed at a university reunion at an entertainment club. A drunk man was bothering me, and I stumbled, falling right into Julian’s arms. Julian looked at my face, his narrow eyes filled with an intrigued glint. “You look like such a good girl. You should stay away from places like this in the future; they don’t suit you.” He shooed away the harassing man, but throughout the party, his gaze, full of intense interest, subtly lingered on me. Perhaps he’d never encountered someone like me before; he was clearly fascinated. To win me over, he changed all the habits I disliked. He’d bring me breakfast in the mornings, pick me up for lunch, and invite me to watch the moon at night. But what truly captured my heart was the time I was accidentally hit by a basketball. He carried me to the infirmary, looking paler than I, the actual injured party. Even the doctor chuckled at his anxiety. “She’s the one who’s hurt, but you look more scared than she does!” After we started dating, Julian was impeccably good to me, always putting me first. Within two years, something unexpected happened to the Quinn family. Quinn Corporation faced a crisis, nearly going bankrupt. It was I who pleaded with my father to inject capital, helping Quinn Corporation escape disaster. Julian had an extremely strong sense of pride. So, I never told him that the reason Quinn Corporation survived was thanks to me. I thought I’d tell him about my identity as the Sterling family heiress from Manhattan when we got married. But now, none of that mattered. We wouldn’t be getting married. The person he secretly bought a ring for, the one he planned to propose to, wasn’t me. That night, Julian returned to the villa. “Baby, I brought you your favorite mousse cake. I know you don’t eat sweets at night, so I’ll put it in the fridge for you to have tomorrow morning.” He tilted my chin up and kissed my lips. My mood was sour, so I raised a hand to his chest. “Go take a shower first.” Julian smiled, soft and affectionate. “Alright.” He turned and went into the bathroom, leaving his phone on the bedside table. Messages kept pouring in. Julian never set a password on his phone. So, I saw message after message pop up. “I’ve had my fun for all these years. I’m coming back.” “Is our agreement still on?” “My flight lands at midnight tonight. Are you coming to the airport to pick me up?” All the messages were from someone saved as “Vivian.” Julian came out of the shower, picked up his phone, and a flicker of delight crossed his dark eyes as he read the messages. He quickly turned to me. “Baby, I have to go out for a bit.” I asked, feigning ignorance, “You usually don’t go out this late. Is something urgent?” Julian, while changing into clean clothes, replied, “A big client is landing in Las Vegas tonight. I can’t be rude; I need to pick them up and host them.” A big client? So, he could lie to me with a straight face. Julian finished changing and came back to the bed. He kissed my forehead apologetically. “This client is very important. I might not be back tonight. If you’re sleepy, go to bed early. Don’t wait up for me.” Before I could say anything else, he grabbed his car keys and hurried out. For seven years, Julian never stayed out past ten, never left after ten at night, and certainly never spent the night away from home- But on the night Vivian returned, he stayed out all night. All the habits he had changed and maintained for me were shattered, completely disregarded, in front of Vivian. I scrolled through Ins and saw a post from one of Julian’s friends. “True love is when, no matter how many years you wander, you always find your way back.” The photo showed Julian kneeling on one knee, placing a ring on a woman’s ring finger at a welcome back party. Julian quickly liked the post. But he probably forgot to block me. Less than two minutes later, the post was deleted. A bitter, humorless laugh escaped my lips. My heart, though, was bleeding, each beat a fresh wound. I put down my phone and sat on the balcony sofa, staying awake all night, watching the moon.
Clara’s POV I saw Julian the next day at the office. About his overnight absence, Julian explained, “I entertained that client very late last night, drank a lot, and just decided to rest at a nearby hotel.” I remained expressionless, not bothering to expose his clumsy lie. Seeing my low spirits, Julian wrapped his arms around my waist, his voice soft and tender. “What’s wrong, baby? Are you mad?” I forced a smile, pushing him away and handing him the documents. “Sign these.” “What are they?” “My resign-” Two sharp knocks cut me off at the office door. Julian looked up. Vivian stood there. Vivian, in a stunning red dress, leaned against the doorframe, raising an eyebrow. “Hope I’m not interrupting your work?” Julian’s eyes lit up, and he immediately rushed towards her. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would’ve come down to meet you.” “I’m perfectly capable of coming up myself. Why do you need to pick me up?” Julian ushered her into the office. Vivian’s gaze fell on me. “And this is…?” Only then did Julian remember I was still there. He calmly and composedly introduced, “She’s my assistant, Clara.” In front of Vivian, I wasn’t even worthy of being called his “girlfriend.” I was merely his assistant. Julian then introduced me to her. “This is Vivian, my best friend since childhood.” Best friend? My gaze inadvertently swept over Vivian’s ring finger, where a dazzling, expensive diamond ring shimmered. So, he gave engagement rings to his “best friends.” Julian looked at me. “I’m showing Vivian around the office. You go back to your work.” I didn’t leave. Instead, I handed him the documents again. “You haven’t signed this yet.” Julian didn’t even glance at what the documents were, picking up a pen and scrawling his signature in a few quick strokes. Taking the signed papers, I turned and left the office. I vaguely heard Vivian and Julian’s voices behind me, but I didn’t listen to what they said. Holding Julian’s signed resignation application, I submitted it to HR. The HR person said, “Hand over your work within fifteen days, and then you won’t need to come in anymore.” News of my resignation spread quickly through the company. Colleagues I was close with came to ask me, “Clara, why are you suddenly resigning?” After graduating, I chose to stay in Las Vegas for Julian, joining Quinn Corporation and, through my own abilities, became his chief assistant. I smiled faintly. “I’m going home to get married.” “Married? You and Mr. Quinn are getting married? Congratulations, Clara! You’ll be our boss’s wife!” I was about to deny it when Julian’s voice suddenly came from behind me. “What are you all doing? Are you that idle?” The colleagues flinched. “Mr. Quinn…” Julian’s gaze locked onto me. He stepped forward, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me into an empty corner. His handsome face was etched with displeasure. “Clara, I told you, I’m not considering marriage right now.” Realizing he also thought I wanted to marry him, I couldn’t help but find it amusing. I chuckled. “No, you misunderstood.” He frowned, confused. “Misunderstood?” I didn’t want to explain anymore. My lips moved, “Julian, let’s break up.” “Julian, are you done?” Suddenly, Vivian walked towards us. Julian hadn’t heard what I just said, his attention completely drawn to Vivian. Vivian flashed a bright, charming smile. “Oh, Clara’s here too.” I gave her a cool, indifferent look. Vivian, as if just remembering something, cooed and pleaded with Julian. “I left my bag in your office. Julian, could you please go get it for me?” Julian didn’t think twice. “Sure. Wait here for me.” As soon as he left, Vivian began to scrutinize me. I wanted to turn and leave, but Vivian intimately and warmly linked her arm through mine. “Clara, your skin is amazing! How do you take care of it? I’m always traveling to places like Africa and the rainforests; my skin gets so bad. Can you teach me your routine?” My gaze dropped to Vivian’s hand, adorned with the ring, a stinging sight. “For skin issues, you should consult a professional. Mine is natural; I can’t teach you.” Unwilling to stay with Vivian, I pulled my arm away. I hadn’t even used much force, but Vivian, following my movement, tumbled to the ground with a cry of “Ah!” Julian, rushing back, saw the scene and angrily snapped, “Clara, what are you doing!”
Clara’s POV Julian tenderly helped Vivian up. Vivian’s eyes welled with feigned tears. “I just wanted to ask Clara how she takes care of her skin, but she got impatient and pushed me… Julian, Clara doesn’t seem to like me very much.” I was astonished by her blatant lie, and even more so that Julian actually believed it. He stared at me, his gaze so dark it seemed to drip with venom. “Even if you don’t like Vivian, you shouldn’t have pushed her.” Without giving me a chance to explain, Julian embraced Vivian and walked away. He never used to raise his voice at me. He never used to trust others and misunderstand me. And he certainly never used to leave me alone. Watching their retreating backs, I felt like I was seeing him for the very first time. After work, a Bentley pulled up at the company entrance. “Oh, didn’t Mr. Quinn leave the company ages ago? Why is he back?” “He’s probably back to pick up Clara.” “Mr. Quinn loves you so much, Clara. You’re so lucky.” My colleagues cast envious glances my way, but I looked at the Bentley, feeling absolutely nothing. Julian rolled down the window and said to me, “Get in.” My colleagues nudged my shoulder. “Go on, Clara, don’t keep Mr. Quinn waiting.” I had no choice but to get into his car, settling into the passenger seat. Julian started the car. After driving for a short distance, he broke the silence. “I was a bit harsh with you today. I apologize. Don’t be mad.” I replied flatly, without much emotion, “I’m not mad.” Julian’s tone shifted. “Still, you were a bit out of line today. No matter what, you shouldn’t have pushed Vivian. She’s my best friend.” Listening to his accusatory tone, I curled my lips in a sneer. “Really, ‘just friends’?” A flicker of guilt crossed Julian’s eyes, and he quickly masked it. “We’ve known each other since childhood. We’re truly just friends all these years. Don’t overthink it.” My heart was filled with bitter mockery. I wondered how long he planned to keep me in the dark, treating me like an idiot. Julian controlled the steering wheel with one hand, reaching over with the other to ruffle my hair, coaxing me softly, indulgently. “Alright, baby, let’s not talk about other people. I’ll take you to that French restaurant you love so much, hm?” Just as he finished speaking, his phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID; it was none other than the “other person” he’d just dismissed-Vivian. Julian hesitated for two seconds, then finally picked up the phone. His eyes visibly softened. “What’s wrong?” Vivian’s sweet, tearful sniffles came through the phone. “Julian, it’s thundering suddenly, and I’m so scared… Can you come and stay with me?” Julian agreed, ended the call, and then looked at me, hesitant. “Baby, something’s come up. I can’t take you to dinner. Get out here, and I’ll send someone to pick you up and take you home.” I was left on the roadside, watching his car speed away into the distance. Over half an hour passed, and no one came to pick me up. Instead, the sky, dark with storm clouds and crackling with lightning, unleashed a torrential downpour. There was no shelter nearby, and the violent rain instantly soaked me through. My clothes and hair clung to my body, and a chilling cold seeped into my skin. I tried to hail a cab for a long time, but no driver accepted. In the end, I had no choice but to brave the furious storm, walking for two hours until I finally reached the villa. After that night, I ran a high fever and was confined to bed. Julian returned the next day and unleashed his fury on the housekeeper. “She’s burning up like this! Why didn’t you call me?” “Mr. Quinn, I did call you, but your phone was off…” Julian froze, speechless, and could only give up. He immediately contacted a doctor to come and give me an IV drip to bring down the fever.
Clara’s POV When I woke up, I saw Julian sitting by the bed, working on his laptop. Seeing my eyes open, he quickly put down his computer. “Baby, you’re awake. How do you feel? Still uncomfortable?” My head felt heavy and cloudy, my body burning as if on fire. Julian, with a mix of concern and apology, helped me sit up. “I’m sorry, baby. It’s all my fault for not giving the driver clear directions to pick you up. He went to the wrong place, and you got caught in the rain.” Was it truly his fault for giving the driver wrong directions, or was he just so eager to see Vivian that he completely forgot to send anyone for me? A cold, bitter laugh echoed in my heart, but I was too weak to challenge him. Julian picked up the chicken soup the housekeeper had brought. “You must be hungry. I’ll feed you some soup.” His gentle, caring demeanor made it seem as if the Julian I knew had returned. Every time I was sick or in pain before, he would always patiently stay by my side and take care of me. His anxious attention, his tenderness, his thoughtfulness-they once made me believe I had found a man worth entrusting my life to, and so I gave him everything without reservation. But now, having witnessed firsthand how he repeatedly abandoned me for Vivian, I could no longer feel that familiar sweetness or happiness. Perhaps out of guilt, Julian stayed by my side in the villa for several days while I was ill. The day my fever broke and I started to feel better, he took my hand and led me out. “Some friends invited me horseback riding. Since you’ve recovered, it’s a good chance to get some fresh air.” At the stables, I realized Vivian was there too. Vivian, dressed in riding gear, smiled sweetly. “Julian, you’re so good to your assistant. You bring her out horseback riding right after she’s recovered from being sick.” Julian and his friends looked slightly uncomfortable. Someone quickly laughed to smooth things over, and another person came to help me put on my safety gear. Once my gear was on, I turned and saw Vivian pouting unhappily in the distance, while Julian was softly coaxing her. “She only got sick because of me. I’m just taking her out horseback riding to make it up to her. Please don’t mind her being here, okay?” He reached up and pinched Vivian’s nose-a gesture he once reserved only for me. I curled my lips in a sarcastic smile, feeling an indescribable bitterness in my heart. Didn’t he get tired of juggling two women? Turning my head, I looked away from them and chose a gentle black horse from the stable. Julian had taken me horseback riding many times before. Each time, he would carefully check and adjust my saddle and teach me how to hold the reins. But this time, seeing him waiting on Vivian hand and foot, I didn’t bother him. I skillfully took the reins and rode the horse, completing several laps around the arena. Unnoticed, Vivian rode her horse next to me. “I know all about you and Julian being together for seven years.” I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, remaining silent, not engaging. Vivian raised her ring-adorned hand. “But what does it matter? The person he wants to marry is me.” I understood. Vivian was afraid I’d cling to Julian, and she was here to gloat and assert her dominance. I couldn’t help but sneer, “If that’s the case, why do you feel the need to come and show off to me?” “Because you did spend seven years of your youth on him. He’s soft-hearted; he doesn’t know how to break up with you.” Julian and his friends were chatting and laughing in the distance, completely oblivious to us. Vivian continued, “But this can’t go on. It’s not good for any of us. He needs to make a choice.” I was about to say that Julian didn’t need to make any choice because I had already decided I didn’t want him. But Vivian preempted me, hooking her lips into a smile. “Tell me, if something happened to both of us at the same time, who would he be more worried about? You, or me?” Before I could react, Vivian whipped her riding crop hard against my horse’s flank. The black horse shied, rearing its front hooves, and Vivian immediately whipped her own horse. Instantly, both horses shied and bolted, neighing as they galloped wildly forward. Julian, sensing the commotion, looked over, gasping in alarm. “Clara… Vivian!” I desperately clung to the reins, while Vivian let go of her stirrups and reins, allowing the frantic horse to throw her off. Julian’s pupils violently constricted. “Vivian!!” Meanwhile, I was also thrown from my crazed horse, one foot accidentally caught in the stirrup. The panicked black horse dragged me across the riding arena, for countless laps. By the time the staff arrived and brought my horse under control, I was already covered in blood from scrapes, every inch of my body aching with intense pain. Before I lost consciousness, the last thing I saw was Julian anxiously scooping Vivian into his arms and striding away with a cold, determined expression, never once looking back to check on my injuries. I smiled, a heart-wrenching, bitter smile. Thankfully, I hadn’t expected much from him anyway.
Clara’s POV The smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils, and I slowly regained consciousness, finding myself in a hospital room. My entire body felt like it had been run over by a truck, taken apart, and then haphazardly put back together, aching excruciatingly. The slightest movement sent shivers of pain through me. The nurse, who was administering my IV drip, saw me stir and said, “Your abrasions are severe; large patches of skin are gone. You don’t have many uninjured spots on your body. You need to lie still and rest. It’s best not to move around too much.” I assented, forcing myself to lie still. The nurse gave me a few more instructions and left the room after finishing the IV. “Both fell off horses, but this one is so badly injured and has no one by her side. The one in the next room just got a few scratches, and her boyfriend is worried sick. It just goes to show, people really can’t be compared.” “Right? The boyfriend of the lady in the next room hasn’t left her side since bringing her to the hospital. He’s bringing her tea and water, feeding her fruit by hand, even carrying her to the restroom. He’s so good to his girlfriend.” Hearing the nurses’ hushed whispers outside, I curled my lips in a soft, mocking smile. Before, when I had a cold or fever, Julian dropped everything to be with me. Now, with both Vivian and me injured, even though my injuries were clearly far more severe than Vivian’s, even though we were in adjacent rooms, he hadn’t even spared me a glance. Our seven years of love seemed so insignificant, so ridiculously trivial, compared to Vivian. That night, as I lay resting, the hospital room door suddenly swung open. I jolted awake to see Julian, his brows deeply furrowed, approaching my bed. My mind felt foggy. “What is it?” “Vivian wants some chicken soup. I remember your chicken soup is the best. Go home, make some for Vivian, and bring it over.” Hearing his demand, I felt as if I’d heard something utterly preposterous. My eyes widened slightly. “You want me to prepare the soup for Vivian?” Julian bent down, kissed my hair, and softly pleaded, “Baby, will you please do this for me?” I found it utterly ridiculous. Julian’s stomach used to bother him because he worked so hard for his company. So, I, who had never even boiled water since childhood, specifically learned to make my signature nourishing broth just for his stomach. Now, he was asking me to make soup for Vivian. My blood surged, my chest heaving with indignation. “Julian, I’m not your housekeeper! And I’m an injured patient!” “You just have some abrasions; your hands and feet aren’t incapacitated. Vivian hasn’t eaten anything all day; if this continues, she’ll get a stomachache. Please, I’m begging you, help me with this. I’ll make it up to you.” “I don’t need your compensation! And I won’t cook a meal for her!” Seeing that his gentle requests were met with my consistent refusal, Julian’s brows furrowed. His expression gradually darkened, and his tone grew several shades colder. “Clara, don’t make me drag you there myself.” His displeasure was palpable, as if he truly would force me to make soup for Vivian and bring it to her if I refused again. I stared at him in disbelief, finally, completely recognizing his true colors. After a moment of tense standoff, I closed my eyes, conceding. “Fine, I’ll go.” My concession wasn’t out of fear, nor was it because I still cared for him. It simply wasn’t worth the trouble. Anyway, I was leaving soon. I didn’t want any more complications. Julian finally smiled, reaching out to ruffle my hair. “Baby, you’re so good, so understanding. I’ll have the driver take you back.” Yes, how could I not be “understanding”? Vivian was back. I was the one stepping aside, injured yet still making soup for her. Back at the villa, I prepared the soup and had the driver deliver it to them at the hospital. I stayed at the villa to rest, too weak and in pain to move around again. The next day, while I was still asleep, a sudden, powerful force yanked me upright. “Why did you do that?!” My mind was foggy with sleep. “What did I do?” “Vivian was rushed to the ER last night after your soup. They confirmed poisoning. How could you be this cruel?!”
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