16 Chapter 18
Chapter 18 – A Bitter Break and a Silent Summons
“Where I live is no longer your concern, Julian,” I replied firmly, gripping the phone tighter. “I just need to know if you’ll agree to my terms. The money for my share of renovations, nothing
more.”
This had to be a clean break. No strings attached, no property binding us together. Just the money I desperately needed to buy back my mother’s bracelet.
“Fine, Julian sighed. “I’ll transfer the renovation costs. But we should meet to sign the formal property transfer documents at the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow morning. Nine o’clock.”
I’ll be there. I hung up without saying goodbye.
The next morning, I arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau fifteen minutes early, dressed in a sleek navy pantsuit that gave me confidence. I needed every ounce of it to face Julian again. When he walked in wearing the charcoal suit I had bought him last year, I felt a twinge of something–not longing, but a hollow ache for the time I’d wasted on hi
“You look well,” he remarked, his eyes scanning me in that familiar way that once made me feel beautiful but now just made
my skin crawl.
“Let’s just get this done, I said, pulling out my folder of documents.
As we sat side by side at the counter, I could smell his cologne–the one I’d given him for hist birthday. The clerk processed our paperwork methodically, and Julian slid a check across the table toward me.
“Here’s the money for the renovations, as agreed,” he said softly. “Plus a little extra. I know things have been difficult for you.”
I glanced at the amount and my breath caught–it was nearly double what I’d asked for. Almost enough for the bracelet.
“I don’t need your charity” I whispered fiercely.
Julian leaned closer. “It’s not charity, Hazel. It’s what you deserve after everything
Before I could respond, a commotion erupted at the entrance. To my horror, Ivy burst in, her face a mask of fury despite her pallid complexion. Even illness couldn’t dull the venom in her
eyes.
“So this is where you’ve been?” she shrieked at Jullan. “Meeting her in secret again?”
Heads turned throughout the government office. Julian Jumped to his feet, embarrassment coloring his face. “Ivy, calm down. We’re just finalizing the property transfer
“Don’t lie to me!” She was trembling now, clutching her designer purse like a weapon. 7 saw the messages on your phone! The money se sent her! How could yo
I sat frozen, mortifed by the spectacle unicians. The deck behind the counter shite
uncomfortabl
“This isn’t the place. Jullan hissed trying to take by’s arm
She snatched it away and turned her rage toward me. “You just can’t let him go, can you? Even when he’s married to me? Even when I’m dying?““”
“Ivy I found my voice, keeping it low and controlled. This is a scheduled meeting to transier property ownership. Nothing more.”
“Liar!” she spat. “You’ve always wanted what’s mine!”
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at the irong “What’s yours? You stole my fiance and m wedding. Don’t you dare play the victim here”
Julian stepped between us. “Both of you please. This is a public place!
Ivy reached into her bag and pulled out a thermos. Before either of us could react, she unscrewed it and flung its contents–hot cocoa from the smell of it–directly at Julian’s chest. The brown liquid splashed across his pristine white shirt and dripped onto his suit pants.
“If you want her so badly, go back to her.” by sobbed dramatically, then spun on her heel and stormed out.
The clerk cleared his throat. “Tm afraid we’ll need to postpone this transfer until another time Two hours later. I stood in what had once been our shared villa, packing the last of my belongings into boxes. Id arranged for movers to come that afternoon, determined to be out before Julian returned. The memory of the scene at the Civil Affairs Bureau was still fresh, and 1 had no desire for another confrontation.
My phone buzzed with a text from Victoria: “Need help with the move?*
*Almost done. Just a few more boxes. Thanks anyway, I replied.
As I sealed the final box. I heard the front door open. Damn it. Julian was back
“You’re still here,” he said, standing in the doorway of what used to be our bedroom. He’d changed out of the cocoa–stained clothes.
“Just leaving.” I replied shortly, taping the box closed with more force than necessary.
“Hazel, about this morning-
“Save it, I cut him off. “This is exactly why I want a clean break. I can’t be part of this toxic circus
anymore.”
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Julian ran a hand through his hair. “Ivy’s not well. The treatments are making her emotional.”
“Don’t,” I warned, standing up to face him. “Don’t make excuses. You both made your choices. Now we all have to live with them.”
Before he could respond, my phone rang. The movers were downstairs.
Twenty minutes later, I watched as the last of my boxes was loaded onto the truck. Julian stood on the porch, looking lost.
“I’ll wire you the money tonight,” he called as I headed toward my car.
I paused, then nodded without turning around. “Goodbye, Julian.”
That night, alone in my new apartment, my phone pinged with a notification. Julian had sent the money–the full amount he’d tried to give me this morning, despite the incomplete property
transfer.
I stared at the screen, conflicted. I needed that money for the bracelet, but accepting it felt like taking a handout from the man who’d betrayed me. In the end, I transferred the amount we’d originally agreed upon to my savings account and returned the rest with a simple message: *1 only want what I earned.*
Three sleepless nights later, I was a wreck. The jade bracelet auction was in two days, and I was still short on funds. Between preparing for my upcoming meeting with Mrs. Sterling and worrying about the bracelet, I hadn’t slept more than a few hours at a stretch.
When my alarm blared at 6 AM, I fumbled for the bottle of sleeping pills on my nightstand, knocking it to the floor. Great. Perfect way to start the day of my important meeting with Sterling Designs‘ matriarch.
By the time the elegant black car arrived to take me to Sterling Heights Estate, I was running on caffeine and determination alone. The driver, a middle–aged man in an immaculate suit, opened. the door for me with a respectful nod.
“Miss Ashworth, Mrs. Sterling sends her apologies, but she’d like to meet you at the estate rather than the office today. The journey will take approximately forty minutes.”
“That’s fine,” I said, sliding into the plush leather seat. “Thank you.”
As the car pulled away from the curb, I allowed myself to relax for the first time in days. The gentle hum of the engine and the smooth ride were oddly soothing. I leaned my head against the window, watching the city give way to lush countryside, my eyelids growing heavier by the
minute.
Just a quick rest, I thought, closing my eyes for what I intended to be just a moment.
When I opened them again, the car was still and silent. Disoriented, I blinked and sat up straight, realizing with a jolt of panic that we were parked outside what appeared to be massive iron gates. Beyond them stretched a long driveway leading to what could only be described as a
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mansion.
Sterling Heights Estate,
The driver was nowhere to be seen. I was alone in the car, with no idea how long I’d been asleep or what awaited me beyond those imposing gates.
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