Chapter 4

Aria's POV

Julian nodded, then spoke with slight apology.

"I'm sorry, I went too far earlier. The doctor told me that without your treatment, Vanessa might have lost the baby."

I shook my head.

"Your affairs have nothing to do with me. I just came to pack my things."

"You're not angry?"

He asked.

You have to understand-before, I had resolutely broken up with him over his ambiguous behavior with other women.

"It's fine. I respect your choice."

I looked up at him and suddenly asked.

"Julian, when did you get together with her? When you were with her, did you feel guilty toward me at all?"

Julian suddenly stepped forward and pulled me into his embrace.

"Aria, I only love you. My feelings for Vanessa, for that child-they're just out of responsibility. This is something I must bear being born into this family. You can understand, right?"

"But I promise you, besides Vanessa, you'll be my only woman. I won't be like those men who have affairs everywhere. Aria, you can accept this, can't you?"

His tone was too matter-of-fact, as if he were stating some universal truth.

But he was wrong. I was still the same Aria who wanted one person for one lifetime.

I took a deep breath and stepped out of his embrace.

The instant I left his arms, I seemed to see Vanessa's figure by the door, but she disappeared the next second.

"I need some time."

Whoever wants to accept this can accept it. I'll be completely gone the day after tomorrow.

"Then will you stay tonight?"

He asked.

I thought for a moment and agreed.

Helena said I hadn't done enough. I could use this opportunity to talk clearly with Vanessa and get her to control Julian.

At 2 AM, I was woken by knocking on my door.

Getting out of bed to answer it, I found Vanessa.

Before I could actively seek her out, she came to me first. Perfect-it saved me the trouble.

"Miss South, if you're here to talk about Julian, you can rest assured. I'll be leaving here the day after tomorrow, completely leaving him. In this matter, you and I are both victims. Everything stems from Julian Ashford's irresponsibility."

I had no issue with Vanessa. From a certain perspective, we were both victims.

But Vanessa laughed disdainfully.

"What are you to be mentioned in the same breath as me?"

Seeing my goodwill trampled, I changed my tone.

"Miss South got pregnant before marriage. Quite the scandal. Is this how wealthy families raise their daughters? Well, I've learned something new."

"You!"

Vanessa flew into a rage and slapped me.

I wasn't one to be bullied-I slapped her right back.

"Miss South, instead of arguing with me here, you'd be better off controlling Julian Ashford. Otherwise, without me, there will be others."

With that, I shut the door and returned to bed.

I tossed and turned in bed. I don't know how long it took before I finally fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, before I was fully awake, I was startled by the sound of Julian kicking down the door.

The next second, he kicked the door open, strode in, and grabbed my throat.

He used such force that I could barely breathe.

"What did you say to Vanessa? She already told me she's willing to accept you, so why would you do this?"

Julian's eyes were bloodshot, the force on his hand gradually increasing.

I used all my strength to push against his hand and finally broke free.

"I didn't do anything."

He cut me off.

"I thought you really were willing to coexist with her. Turns out you were lying to me all along! You really think I'd still be with you after you've done these things? Still won't admit it? Look at this!"

He threw a card at me. On it was Vanessa's "suicide note."

"Julia, I originally thought my sincerity and this child in my belly could make you love me. But Miss Aria is right. You love her. You caused such a scene over her for the whole city to see. Even if I have the title of Mrs. Ashford, I'll never have your heart. If that's the case, our fate has ended. Let's meet again in the next life. Vanessa."

I never said any of this to her.

"I didn't-"

"Still making excuses! If anything happens to Vanessa or the baby today, I'll make you pay with your life!"

Julian wouldn't listen to my defense. He roughly dragged me down the stairs.

My knees were scraped raw and bloody.

"My people sent word that Vanessa is on the TV station rooftop right now. You're going to kneel and apologize to her! If she doesn't forgive you, you'll kneel on that rooftop until you die!"

He tied my hands and shoved me into the trunk, racing all the way to the TV station rooftop.

The bodyguards carried me up with him to the rooftop.

There were also TV station staff on the rooftop doing a live broadcast.

I was thrown to the ground. Cameras and flashing lights immediately focused on me.

I knew no one would come to save me.