Chapter 2

Some gasped, while others cheered and whistled, loving the drama.

I don't know how long they kissed. They only parted when Serena was completely breathless, her face flushed red.

"Silly girl. You still don't know how to breathe," Julian murmured, his voice thick with affection.

Serena’s face turned even redder as she buried herself in his chest.

"Actually... that was my first kiss..."

A flash of surprise crossed Julian’s eyes, and he cleared his throat. "Then I'll definitely have to vet any guy you date in the future. As your protector, it’s my job."

Serena’s expression dimmed for a split second.

But she quickly recovered, turning to look at me.

"Chloe, I'm so sorry. That was just a penalty card we drew from Truth or Dare. You don't mind, do you?"

Her tone was polite, but her eyes were dripping with triumph and malice.

Julian scoffed. "She's not even my girlfriend. Why do you care what she thinks?"

That single sentence shattered the last of my doubts.

The truth was, I had found out a week ago that Julian’s legs had fully recovered.

When I first heard the news, I was shocked, then furious.

Ever since Julian threw himself in front of a car to save me, leaving him paralyzed, I had been consumed by guilt.

But because of his disability, Julian had always pushed me away, claiming he didn't want to be a burden.

So, for four years, I catered to his every whim. I wanted him to walk again more than anyone else in the world.

But he had been recovered for a while.

Everyone in his circle knew. I was the only one kept in the dark.

For four years, because he lost his dream of racing, his temper had been incredibly volatile.

And because of my guilt, I endured every single ounce of his rage and childish tantrums.

No matter who was right or wrong, I was always the one to bow my head and beg for forgiveness.

This only made him bolder, pushing my boundaries further and further.

But when I saw the video Serena had accidentally posted on her close friends Snapchat story—a video of Julian carrying her on his back while flying kites—something inside me snapped.

I was just so tired.

Right then and there, I called my grandfather and agreed to the arranged marriage he had set up for me.

My only reason for coming tonight was to see with my own eyes that he was truly healed.

It was my way of finding closure, of putting an end to these four years of torment.

I just didn't expect to see this.

Since he had made it clear we were never officially together, there was no need to even say the words "it's over."

This time, seeing him cross the line with Serena, I didn't scream, and I didn't demand answers.

I simply wiped my tears, ignored Julian’s mocking stare, and turned to walk out into the rain.

"Is Chloe mad at me? Julian, maybe you should go after her?" Serena whispered.

Even Julian's friends looked uneasy. "Julian, did we go too far this time?"

"She looked genuinely heartbroken. Aren't you going to explain?"

"Explain what? It's her fault Julian ended up in a wheelchair in the first place!" one of them muttered, but Julian cut him off.

"It's just a kiss," Julian said, his voice laced with irritation. "It's not like she's never had an ex-boyfriend."

"Besides, Serena and I are completely platonic. If we wanted to be together, we would have been. Why would Chloe even have a chance?"

"Leave her be! She does this every time. She throws a tantrum, threatens to leave, and then crawls back to me every single time."

"Want to bet? I bet you a grand she’ll be back, begging for my attention within seven days."

...

Julian’s voice faded as I stepped into the pouring rain. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering, unsure of what to do next.

Just as I was debating whether to call my family, my phone buzzed. It was a text from *him*.

I sent him my location. Less than ten minutes later, a sleek black Maybach pulled up smoothly in front of the chalet.

A man in a sharp suit holding a black umbrella stepped out and walked up to me with deep respect.

"Miss Harrington, Mr. Sinclair sent me to pick you up. He has arranged for you to stay at Sinclair Manor tonight."