Chapter 2

After Julian uttered those words,

he quickly exited, claiming an urgent matter at the company, his steps hurried.

He even wore mismatched slippers.

This wasn't normal.

Hesitating for a moment, I grabbed my car keys and headed to Julian's office building.

But before I could even enter the elevator,

the receptionist told me Julian had taken the afternoon off; his assistant had just informed her.

My hand, hanging at my side, trembled uncontrollably.

A terrifying thought flashed through my mind,

leaving me ice-cold.

I took several deep breaths to regain my strength before heading to the underground parking lot.

It was working hours, so the parking lot was eerily quiet.

Stifled gasps and moans.

They clearly pierced through the silence, reaching my ears.

"Are you really going to marry him? He's Clara's brother!"

The woman was pressed tightly against the man, his hand clamped around her neck.

Yet, she was still smiling.

"What, Julian, are you jealous?

"You were the one who threw me away first. Now, you don't get a say in who I'm with, no matter what man I choose."

Briar's constant provocations

only deepened the storm brewing in Julian's eyes.

He swiftly captured Briar's parted lips.

The sounds of heavy breathing intensified.

The only sounds left in that desolate parking lot were my muffled sobs and raw agony.

Julian was cheating. With Briar, the woman about to marry my brother. How could I possibly accept this?

I don't know how much time passed, but the sounds eventually stopped.

When I looked again,

Julian still hadn't released Briar.

But his voice was much softer than before.

"Briar, I'm not stopping you from getting married, but it can't be Clara's brother."

"Come on, break it off with him. I can introduce you to someone much better."

Briar's eyes were red-rimmed, as if he'd been rough with her.

"Clara is the woman you love most. Even after three years of being your secret, you still cast me aside for her without a second thought."

"Since you chose her, stop trying to control me."

Julian wasn't a mild-tempered man.

Only with me did he tolerate my yelling and snarky remarks.

But now, Briar was receiving the same treatment.

I watched.

Julian lowered his head and remained silent for a long time, as if making a difficult choice.

It was either give her up, or give me up.

The moment I knew Julian had betrayed me, a future for us became impossible.

But his hesitation, even then, twisted a knife in my gut.

The car keys in my hand unconsciously dropped to the ground.

I stood there, stunned.

My gaze met Julian's cold eyes, which had instantly darted my way.

The next second,

he abruptly released Briar, who had been pinned beneath him, his eyes filled with a panic I'd never seen before.

I picked up the keys and fled.