Chapter 4

Not long after we returned, the internet was flooded with news about Marcus and Chloe.

At a high-profile auction, Marcus had spent a fortune to buy a diamond-encrusted ruby tiara for Chloe.

It was a piece I had adored.

I had once told Marcus that when we got married, I wanted to wear that tiara with my wedding dress.

At the time, he had mocked me. "How old are you? Still playing princess? Dream on."

I had assumed he just found it too expensive and impractical for a one-time use.

Now I realized he simply believed I didn't deserve something so beautiful.

Whatever.

A cheating prick and a homewrecker. They deserved each other!

I filtered out all news about them and hopped into the passenger seat of Julian's car.

He took me to his three-thousand-square-foot penthouse above his private club, rolled up his sleeves, and started cooking.

I was surprised. "You know how to cook?"

Julian handed me an apron. "Help me tie it."

Despite his words, he didn't turn around. He stood facing me.

I had no choice but to wrap my arms around his waist to tie the knot behind his back.

I had to admit, his waist was incredibly nice to hold.

Julian pulled me closer into his chest, planting a soft kiss on my hair. "Good job."

I chuckled. "I just tied an apron. Is that really worth praising?"

But the next second, he pulled a velvet box from his pocket and said seriously, "This is your reward."

The ring inside was vintage and majestic. A massive diamond was set in a classic, intricate band. It looked like an exquisite heirloom that had been preserved for generations.

So this was what he had planned.

I gasped. "Is today some special anniversary?"

Julian took my hand and kissed my ring finger.

"I saw someone else giving a gift, so I wanted to give you one too."

Someone else?

Was he talking about Marcus's highly publicized tiara purchase?

I traced his palm with my index finger. "Is our powerful Mr. Vance jealous?"

Julian nodded honestly. "Yes. So, find a way to comfort me."

A powerful man acting jealous was surprisingly endearing. It melted my heart.

I leaned into his chest. "I don't have experience with this. What should I do?"

Julian looked down at me, his voice dripping with mock bitterness. "But you had plenty of experience comforting others."

I leaned up to kiss his Adam's apple, my fingers gently brushing against his earlobe. "Does this work?"

His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, opening his mouth but stopping himself.

Somehow, I knew exactly what he wanted to say.

I kicked off my slippers, stepped onto his bare feet, and whispered, "I've never done this for anyone else."

A brilliant smile broke across Julian's face.

He scooped me up in his arms, grabbed my slippers from the floor, and marched straight into the bedroom.

Needless to say, dinner was never made.

I spent the night crying out on his ridiculously expensive mattress.

As a result, I was completely exhausted when I went to the talent agency the next day to hand over my clients.

I wanted to get it over with and go home, but of course, I ran into Marcus and Chloe.

They walked out of the dressing room, their lips swollen, exuding an air of post-coital intimacy.

Chloe still had that fragile, innocent act down, calling out softly, "Sera."