Chapter 6

**Chloe's POV**

Two days left before my departure.

I started clearing out my things. I didn’t pack any big suitcases; instead, I began systematically destroying everything that carried our seven years of memories.

Julian’s old love letters, flight stubs from our trips, my unpublished design sketches... I threw them all into the incinerator in the backyard.

The firelight danced across my face. I felt no regret.

Julian’s friends came by the penthouse to drop off some files and caught me in the act.

"Well, well, Chloe. What are you doing? Burning things to throw a tantrum?" Marcus walked over, looking at the ashes in the incinerator, his tone mocking. "Julian just stayed at the hospital with Serena for a few days, and you're already acting out? Women shouldn't play hard to get. Julian loves you, but acting like this will only push him away."

To them, my behavior was just a childish bid for attention.

I didn't even look at them. I tossed another photo album into the flames.

"Julian and I are over. Don't bring him up to me. It's pathetic," I said, my voice cold as ice.

The friends exchanged uneasy glances, then burst into laughter.

"Over? Stop joking, Chloe. Could you actually survive without Julian? Everything you have—your penthouse, your career, your status—Julian gave it to you. Without him, what are you?"

I finally stopped. I turned my head, my eyes cutting through them like daggers.

"Everything I have, I designed with my own hands. Without Julian, I am still Chloe Vance, a top-tier designer. But you..." I let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Aside from your trust funds, what exactly do you have?"

Their faces turned ugly as my words hit a nerve.

Just then, the front gate buzzed.

It was Serena.

She wore an oversized trench coat, looking pale and fragile. Seeing me, she took a timid step forward, her voice soft. "Chloe, is Julian not here?"

Seeing her, Julian’s friends immediately put on their chivalrous acts. "Serena, what are you doing here? It's freezing outside. Come inside."

Serena shook her head, her eyes locked on me. "I came to talk to Chloe."

The friends backed off, leaving us alone.

Serena walked up to me. The fragile act vanished instantly, replaced by a smug, malicious grin. She leaned in, whispering so only I could hear, "Chloe, stop wasting your time. Julian is already married to me. Legally, I am the real Mrs. Sterling. You’re nothing but a side chick he keeps in the dark."

She expected me to break down. She wanted to see me scream and cry.

Instead, I just looked at her calmly, a hint of pity in my eyes.

"Are you done?" I asked, my voice completely flat.

Serena froze, utterly thrown off by my reaction.

"You... you aren't mad?"

"Why should I be mad?" I laughed quietly, my eyes sharp. "Serena, do you think a piece of paper proves anything? Proves he loves you? If he loves you so much, why is he terrified of making your marriage public? Why does he sleep in my bed every single night? The man you fought so hard to steal is just garbage I’m throwing out."

"You!" Serena’s face twisted in rage. She raised her hand, aiming a slap at my face.

I was faster. I grabbed her wrist mid-air, and with my free hand, I delivered a stinging slap across her face.

*SLAP!*

It was clean, hard, and absolutely ruthless.

Serena’s head snapped to the side, a trickle of blood leaking from the corner of her lip. She held her bruised cheek, staring at me in sheer shock.

"That’s for stealing my design," I said coldly. "Serena, drop the victim act. You don't scare me."

Suddenly, the front door was kicked open.

Julian stormed in, catching the exact moment I slapped Serena.

"Chloe! What the hell are you doing?!"