Chapter 4

Back at the studio, I booked a one-way ticket to London for the day after tomorrow and started packing my things.

I assumed Julian wouldn't come back tonight.

But at midnight, the door unlocked.

Julian walked in and, with a familiar smile, pulled a warm cup of boba tea from his jacket.

"I worked overtime tonight, babe. Made an extra fifty bucks."

I stared at the cup, completely numb.

While I was lost in my thoughts, he suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind and slipped a necklace around my neck.

"I knew you liked this necklace but wouldn't buy it for yourself. I saved up my extra cash for six months to get it for you."

"Elena, just wait a little longer. Once I save enough for a down payment, we'll get married."

Julian kissed my earlobe softly.

I clutched the $1,000 necklace, my shoulders trembling.

Was this compensation for his guilt over marrying Chloe?

Or was it just a cheap trick to keep me compliant?

It didn't matter anymore.

I closed my eyes and whispered, "Let's go to sleep."

The next day, my preparations to leave were almost complete.

I went to the hospital to arrange for Nana to be discharged so I could take her with me.

But as I approached her ward, Dr. Stone, her primary physician, stopped me.

"I'm glad you're here. Your grandmother's condition has suddenly taken a turn for the worse. We were just about to call you."

"She needs an urgent stem cell transplant. It's her only chance. We need an initial deposit of $120,000 to schedule the surgery..."

I grabbed Dr. Stone's hand in a panic.

"Do it! Please, do whatever it takes!"

I frantically opened my banking app. Julian and I had a joint savings account where we kept our house fund. There should be more than enough in there.

But when I saw the balance, my mind went completely blank.

There was only $5 left in the account.

The transaction history showed a massive withdrawal just five minutes ago. The recipient was the luxury bridal boutique.

Julian had wiped out my six years of hard-earned savings to pay for Chloe's custom wedding gown.

My hands shook as I dialed his number.

In that moment, I was actually glad he was a secret billionaire.

To the CEO Julian, $120,000 was pocket change—the price of a watch or a designer dress.

Surely, he wouldn't let my Nana die.

"Elena, what is it? Make it quick, I'm in the middle of a delivery and my timer is running out!"

"Julian, Nana's condition deteriorated. She needs immediate surgery, and the deposit is $120,000!"

Julian's voice softened with panic. "Don't worry, Elena. I'll figure something out."

Tears of relief spilled over my cheeks. Nana was going to be okay.

But then, Chloe's voice whispered in the background.

"Julian, I just visited her grandmother yesterday. She was perfectly fine."

"Elena is always so calculating. She probably figured something out and is lying to test if you actually have money. Be careful..."

Silence fell over the line.

I was losing my mind with panic and screamed into the phone.

"Julian! This is Nana's life! If you hadn't cleared out our joint account, I wouldn't even be begging you!"

"Nana gave you all her savings to support your startup! I am begging you, please..."

"Enough!"

Julian cut me off, his voice dripping with anger.

"Elena, you would actually curse your own grandmother just to test me? Do you have a conscience?"

"I am a mechanic. No matter how much you scheme, I don't have that kind of money."

"Sometimes I really envy my brother. Chloe loves him for who he is. But you? You only care about money. You don't love me, Elena. You love a fantasy of wealth!"

With a harsh click, he hung up.

No matter how many times I redialed with trembling fingers, it went straight to voicemail.

"The patient missed the critical window for resuscitation. We couldn't save her."

Dr. Stone looked at me with deep pity and shook his head.

A wedding dress had cost my Nana her life.

I sat by Nana's hospital bed, holding her cold, wrinkled hand. My soul felt like it had been violently ripped from my body.

I couldn't scream. I couldn't even cry.

So this is what it feels like when your heart completely dies.

Julian spent the entire day helping Chloe prepare for their wedding. By the time they finished, it was 10:00 PM.

Chloe begged him to stay, but Julian refused again.

"I spend the days with you, and the nights with Elena. That was our deal from the start."

"Don't be spoiled, Chloe."

Julian quickly changed into his delivery driver clothes, hopped on his scooter, and rushed back to the studio.

Thinking about how harsh he had been on the phone earlier, a wave of guilt washed over him.

He stopped by a florist and bought the most expensive bouquet of red roses.

Arriving at the apartment, he pushed the door open excitedly.

"Elena, I'm home!"

The familiar figure didn't come to greet him.

The apartment was pitch black and completely empty.

Julian searched the rooms and found only two things left on the wooden table.

A death certificate for Nana, and a handwritten letter.

Julian's hands shook as he opened the envelope. When he read the very first line, his pupils contracted.