Chapter 6

Chloe pov

Hearing my words, Seraphina's face immediately fell. "Julian, is Chloe still mad at me? Maybe I should just leave so I don't upset anyone."

At this, Julian quickly grabbed her arm, stopping her from leaving, and frowned at me. "Seraphina means well, Chloe. Don't you love antique collectibles? Just accept it."

I could only turn to his secretary. "Mr. Davis, my hands aren't free. Would you mind accepting it for me?"

The people around me began to snicker again, mocking me for being difficult and intentionally trying to make a scene. Julian, too, thought I was trying to humiliate Seraphina. His face darkened, and he led Seraphina further into the hall.

The area quickly cleared out, leaving only me. I poured myself a glass of water, slowly trying to calm the bone-deep terror that had seized me. I used to enjoy collecting antiques. But five years ago, on a stormy, thunderous night, Julian had a high fever that wouldn't break. When I went out to find a doctor, I got trapped in the old, decrepit elevator of the estate. In that narrow, dark, constantly leaking space, the only light came from a malfunctioning phone. It endlessly looped a corrupted audio clip—the very same strange, distorted melody from that music box.

I developed severe claustrophobia from that incident and could never bear to hear that tune again. I had never told Julian about it. So he didn't understand my pain.

During the party's celebration, everyone instinctively gathered around Seraphina, as if she were the guest of honor. Julian's anger seemed to have subsided a little, and he finally called me over to cut the cake. I was just about to make a wish when I heard Seraphina exclaim in surprise.

"Oh, what a coincidence! This music box's creation anniversary is also today! Why don't we let it celebrate with us?"

At her words, a wave of stifled snickers rippled through the crowd. She was clearly provoking me! I took a sharp breath, my voice icy. "If that's the case, then let 'Oblivion' make a wish. I won't disturb you."

With that, I turned to leave. Julian's temple throbbed, and he called out to me. "Chloe! This is your birthday party! What kind of behavior is that?" He grabbed my arm, leaning close to my ear to whisper, "Chloe, don't embarrass me. My parents are right over there. Give them a reason to accept you."

Accept our relationship? But hadn't he already married someone else…?

Birthday songs echoed around me, but all I felt was annoyance. Until someone, perhaps intentionally, opened the music box and thrust it into my arms. I didn't want this thing! I stumbled back violently, a sharp pain shooting through me as I collided with an ice bucket! The ice bucket, filled with ice and champagne, toppled over, crashing directly towards me and Seraphina.

Screams erupted throughout the venue. I watched in slow motion as Julian instinctively pulled Seraphina into his arms, shielding her and moving her out of the danger zone. Then, I saw countless ice cubes and liquid crash down upon me. A long gash opened on my shoulder, carved by a sharp ice shard. I cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground.

Hearing my cry, Julian turned, saw my injury, and started to come back, but Seraphina shrieked beside him. "Ah! Julian, my wrist feels like it was hit by an ice cube! Could it be fractured?!"

Looking at the tiny red mark on her wrist, Julian hesitated for a moment, then only instructed his secretary, "You take Chloe to the hospital to get her wound treated." With that, he picked up Seraphina and hurried away.

The guests quickly dispersed, not forgetting to mock me as they left. "Oblivion, Chloe… Seraphina really knows how to name things! Look at her, she looks just like forgotten trash, doesn't she?"

I heard their words clearly. My nose stung, and tears finally fell. My twenty-third birthday ended in such a bleak, desolate way.