Chapter 4

Chloe pov

On the table, there was a spread of golden, enticingly fresh sea urchins, already shelled. I looked at Julian, waiting for his answer. The light was dim, I couldn't see his expression clearly. I felt a little breathless.

Back when I first went to the estate, Julian, due to his injury, was irritable and refused all treatment, even starving himself. I was desperate, trying every method to persuade him. Until one day, he pointed to the table laden with premium seafood and sneered, "A chauffeur's daughter dares to tell me what to do? Fine, you eat all these sea urchins, and I'll cooperate with the treatment."

I wanted to tell him that I wasn't telling him what to do; I was… heartbroken for him. So, even though I was severely allergic to seafood, I didn't hesitate for a second. I picked up a fork and ate it. Within minutes, I went into anaphylactic shock and was rushed to the hospital.

When I woke up, he was sitting by my bedside, his face grim. "You knew you were allergic. Why would you risk your life?"

I only replied, "Because I didn't want to see you give up. Master Julian, your leg will get better. Even if it doesn't, I'll be your legs for life, so please, stop tormenting yourself, okay?"

From that day on, Julian broke all his bad habits and actively cooperated with treatment. For the next five years, sea urchins never appeared on our dinner table again.

Thinking of this, I smiled, and tears fell. I didn't explain further. I picked up a fork, scooped a lobe of sea urchin, and put it into my mouth.

"Just eating them isn't enough to show sincerity, is it?" I said, picking up a glass of wine. With the burning liquid, I swallowed a mouthful of sea urchin, glass after glass. The sweet and spicy flavors mingled in my stomach, making me numb with discomfort.

It wasn't until my seventh glass that Julian finally roared, "Enough!"

I looked at the half-eaten plate of sea urchins and smiled. "Is this enough? Have I truly apologized? Is it enough to satisfy your beloved?"

At that, Julian sprang to his feet, seizing my hand. His usually stern face was now so dark it looked like it could drip water.

"You know perfectly well I didn't mean it that way! Chloe, I told you, Seraphina and I are over! My family won't accept you, and if you pull stunts like this, people will find reasons to gossip. I just don't want you to be the subject of rumors!"

Julian's words sounded so righteous. But I just laughed. If the Harringtons wouldn't accept me, would they accept Seraphina, who had betrayed him? But with just one word from Seraphina, didn't he still marry her?

Everything was just an excuse for not loving me enough.

I didn't want to say anything more. I shook him off and turned to leave. Just as I reached the door, my vision blurred, and I collapsed to the ground.

"Chloe!"

In a daze, I heard Julian's frantic call of my name. Seraphina, however, was weeping beside him. "Julian, I feel a little dizzy."

But this time, Julian refused her. "I'll take her to the hospital first. Get my assistant to pick you up."