Chapter 2

**Chloe's POV**

The laughter in the living room died instantly the moment I appeared.

Julian’s friends froze, their eyes darting away guiltily.

Julian, however, didn’t miss a beat. He casually stubbed out his cigarette, walked over, and pulled me into his arms. He smelled faintly of tobacco, mixed with a trace of woody perfume—Serena’s signature scent.

"Why are you up so early? Did we wake you?" Julian murmured, leaning down to press a warm kiss on my forehead. His eyes were filled with nothing but tenderness.

If this were yesterday, I would have melted. Now, it made my stomach churn.

I didn’t push him away, but I subtly tilted my head to avoid his lips.

"I need to look for some files in the study," I said, my voice cool.

Julian’s arm went rigid for a split second. A flash of panic crossed his eyes before he smoothly masked it. "Did you find them? You should’ve asked me to help."

"I found them." I looked up, staring straight into his clear, dark eyes. "Julian, are you keeping anything from me?"

The air in the room instantly froze.

His friends stopped breathing.

Julian’s heart skipped a beat, but his face remained a mask of perfect devotion. He reached out, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear, and chuckled. "What are you talking about, babe? I’m all yours. What could I possibly hide from you?"

Looking at his familiar face, I felt a chill. He felt like a total stranger.

How could a man betray you so thoroughly and still look you in the eye with such easy affection? His love was so precisely compartmentalized—his body for one woman, his legal name for another.

"Right," I said with a faint, empty smile. I didn’t press further.

My lack of suspicion made Julian visibly relax. He probably thought I was just stressed from work.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. Inside was a breathtaking diamond necklace.

"Wear this to the brand’s launch party next week. You’ll be the most beautiful woman there," Julian said, draping the necklace around my neck. His fingers brushed against my collarbone in an intimate, familiar gesture.

I looked down at the diamonds. I recognized this necklace—it was the runner-up piece at last month’s auction. The actual crown jewel of the night, "Tears of the Ocean," had been bought by Julian for fifty million dollars. Its whereabouts were still unknown.

Now I knew. "Tears of the Ocean" was probably already sitting on the neck of the legal Mrs. Sterling.

"Thank you. It’s beautiful," I said. No excitement, no warmth.

"I have a business dinner tonight, so I might be late. Don’t wait up for me," Julian said, kissing my cheek before heading for the door.

I stood there, watching his back disappear.

I knew he wasn’t going to a business dinner. Today was Serena’s birthday.

I walked into the bathroom, unclasped the necklace, and tossed it straight into the trash can. Then, I turned on the faucet and scrubbed the spot where Julian’s lips had touched my cheek with soap over and over again, until my skin was raw and red.

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