Chapter 2
I returned to the hotel and pushed open the familiar door. I couldn’t contain the fury and despair rising within me.
This was the suite where Julian and I had spent five years together, and every inch of it was filled
with our memories.
I had once stood by the wine cabinet, sharing a glass of red wine with Julian.
On the antique shelf were porcelain pieces Julian had bought for me.
The gramophone often played “Chasing the Moonlight“. Countless nights, he and I would dance, wrapped in each other’s arms…
But now, I had shattered all of it with my own hands, turning those memories into broken pieces
scattered on the floor.
I sank hopelessly onto the wreckage, surrounded by the debris of what used to be our life.
In my mind, Julian’s voice kept echoing.
“Adeline, I love you.
“Adeline, I want to be with you forever.”
“Adeline, you’ll always be by my side, right?”
The words that once touched my heart now felt like the sharpest blades, tearing apart the last shred of love and hope I had left.
My hand was cut by the glass, but I didn’t even notice.
At this moment, all I felt inside was hatred.
Then, a hoarse and exhausted voice came from behind me.
“You’ve hit me. You’ve smashed things. Are you feeling better now? Adeline, let’s talk.”
I turned around to see Julian leaning against the doorframe, his brows pinched in exhaustion.
He stepped through the sea of broken glass and walked toward me.
At that moment, I looked utterly disheveled. My eyes were red, my hair a mess, and I was no longer the graceful Ms. Pierce from the business world with a proud family background.
I pushed away his hand, the one reaching for me. For the first time, I rejected him, “Julian, let’s break up.”
instant
He didn’t respond right away, only staring at me, his gaze chilling.
After a long silence, he suddenly gave a soft laugh.
“Adeline, why take things so seriously?” his voice cold and detached,
“You’ve known for a long time that I liked Evelyn, didn’t you? Back then, you accepted it, so why are you making a big deal out of it now?”
Tears streamed down my face.
My heart felt like it was being torn apart mercilessly.
“Yes, you’ve always been indecisive. You two were always in love, and I was the one who made the terrible mistake, over and over again…”
The memories of my last moments in my past life were too vivid.
It made me forget that, in this new life, I was no longer the same Adeline. Julian had changed too.
Perhaps the moment I decided to be with him at 20 was where I went wrong.
Maybe I cried so hard that Julian, unable to bear it, sighed deeply.
“Adeline, Evelyn and I were not serious.”
“My feelings for you have never changed. No one can ever take your place. Why can’t the three of us just live together happily?”
“Get lost.”
Julian, enraged, shot me a sharp look, and then walked away without a second glance.
The next few days, Julian and I were caught in a cold war.
The first time we saw each other after the fight was on New Year’s Eve, the day before I was leaving.
The Celestial Club, Seabrook’s largest entertainment venue, was hosting its grand opening, bringing together celebrities and socialites from all over the city.
As a renowned translator fluent in eight languages, I was invited. My seat was next to Julian’s.
On his other side was Evelyn.
Julian, holding Evelyn, stood in the center of the dance floor, under the spotlight. His eyes locked
onto mine.
He proudly announced, “Tomorrow is my wedding with Evelyn. I hope all of you can come to
celebrate!”
2/4
Before his words even finished, the room erupted in cheers and congratulations.
I sat quietly, clapping along.
Evelyn walked over with a glass of wine and handed it to me. “Adeline, come to think of it, you’re the one who set us up. I wanted you to be my maid of honor, but Julian didn’t agree. But you must come to my wedding tomorrow, my dear friend.”
I smiled and clinked glasses with her. “I wish you both all the best!”
It was fine.
Tomorrow, he would marry her, and I would leave for another country.
We would both begin brand–new journeys.
Everything felt just right.
After finishing the last sip of champagne, I left the place without a second thought.
Chapter 3
