Chapter 9

hloe pov

When I got home, I pulled out my suitcase and started packing my last few belongings. I worked until dawn, and Julian still hadn't returned. But it didn't matter anymore.

The next day, I went to the immigration office and retrieved all my documents. On the way back, I booked a flight for that afternoon.

When the car stopped at the gate, I saw his Bentley parked in the driveway; he was back. Sure enough, as soon as I entered the bedroom, I saw Julian standing by my suitcase, trying to open it. I panicked.

"Weren't you with Seraphina? Why are you back?"

Julian froze. He slowly turned around, and the moment he lifted his head, his eyes flared with anger. He walked up to me, his voice filled with deep exasperation.

"Chloe, what are you imagining now? I told you, Seraphina and I will never have anything to do with each other again."

Never again have anything to do with each other? But you married her for her. I smiled through my tears, but still didn't expose him.

"Then I misunderstood."

Julian breathed a sigh of relief. "There's a family dinner at the Harringtons tonight. My parents have agreed for you to attend as my fiancée."

Hearing this, I was stunned. They agreed?

Julian ruffled my hair, then handed me a black card. "Chloe, don't worry, one day I'll make them accept you, let you stand proudly by my side. I'm a little tired right now and want to rest for a bit. My secretary can take you to pick out some dresses, okay?"

I stared at the card for a long moment, then took it. "You rest. I'll go by myself."

I placed the newly retrieved documents into my bag. Julian lay on the bed, falling into a deep sleep. Looking at his handsome sleeping face, I was slightly lost in thought. He turned over, clutching my hand tighter, muttering in his sleep, "...Don't leave."

I raised my hand one last time, wanting to gently touch his brow. But his next words shattered my heart completely.

He murmured: Seraphina…

I pulled my hand back and smiled. As expected, he was still in love with another woman. I picked up my luggage and went downstairs.

On the way to the airport, I set all my social media accounts to permanent deletion. I also deleted all of Julian's contact information. The airport was bustling. I calmly completed all the procedures and walked towards the security checkpoint with my suitcase.

I stopped only after passing through the heavy glass doors, leaving the noisy departure hall completely behind me. Through the glass wall, I took one last look at the land I had lived on for so many years.

I knew. From this moment on, I was free.

I walked to a nearby seating area and pulled out my brand-new phone. I inserted the unused SIM card and dialed Eleanor Harrington's number.

"Mrs. Harrington, I've already passed security. You can proceed with the transfer."

Only Eleanor's cold, crisp two words came from the other end: "Understood."

Then, the call was abruptly cut off.

"Don't worry," I said softly, a slight curve to my lips as I looked out at the plane about to take off, "I'll enjoy spending this money."

After hanging up, I didn't throw away the phone, nor did I break the SIM card. I simply pulled the card out and tucked it into a travel book I carried with me. After all, everything behind me finally had nothing to do with me anymore.

I walked towards the boarding gate. My new life was about to begin.