Chapter 4

The revised contract sat in my inbox for a whole week. Marked as read, but unanswered.

I had my assistant follow up once, and the reply was that Mr. Sterling was out of town on business and would review it upon his return.

I archived the email and put it out of my mind.

On the eighth day, Julian called me directly, suggesting we meet in person to go over the final details. His tone was strictly professional.

He made reservations at a private, high-end restaurant—the very one he used to love going to five years ago.

"Mr. Sterling, contract negotiations should take place in a conference room."

"This place is close to your office. Think of it as a casual business lunch. Why? Are you afraid to have a meal with me?"

When I arrived at seven in the evening, he was already seated in the private dining room.

Four dishes were set on the table, every single one of them my old favorites.

He stood up to pull out a chair for me. I ignored his gesture, pulled out the chair directly opposite him, and placed the contract on the table.

"Business first."

He glanced at the document but didn't open it.

"You haven't ordered yet."

"I'm not hungry."

He flipped through a couple of pages of the contract, then closed it, finally looking me dead in the eye.

He wore a dark gray button-down, sleeves rolled up to his forearms. On his wrist was the luxury watch I had gifted him five years ago.

"What exactly do you want, Nora?"

The way he asked made me feel like he was looking at a stubborn child throwing a tantrum. He sounded exhausted but patronizing.

He was still so damn confident, fully believing that I was still in love with him just like five years ago.

"I want to sign this contract, and then I want to leave."

"You know damn well this isn't about the contract."

He leaned back in his chair, locking his fingers together on the table.

"When you were on your honeymoon, I went to London. I visited the coffee shop where you used to work. I ordered every single type of coffee you used to brew. I stood under your old apartment building for an hour, looking up at your window. The lights were out."

"Nora, I know you had a hard time over there. Come back to me. I won't let you suffer ever again."

I picked up my water glass and took a sip, the bottom of the glass hitting the table with a sharp clink.

"Julian, I had a wonderful time in London. I didn't suffer. I just grew up. And my growing up had absolutely nothing to do with you."

Suddenly, the door to the private room was pushed open from the outside.

Chloe Bennett stood at the entrance. She was wearing a emerald-green slip dress, her makeup much heavier than usual.

Her eyes swept over Julian before locking onto me.

"Julian, you told me you had to work late tonight. I didn't realize you were 'working' here."

I recognized that voice instantly.

Five years ago on the yacht, she had huddled behind Julian, wrapping herself in a towel, looking so helpless and sweet.

Now, she looked at me with a cold, humorless smile.

"Nora's here too? Aren't you newly married? How do you have the time to have private dinners with another woman's fiancé?"

Julian frowned, reaching up to brush her hand off his shoulder.

"What are you doing here?"

"Am I not allowed? I'm your fiancée. When my man is having a private dinner with another woman, of course I’m going to show up."

She pulled out the chair right next to Julian and sat down, pouring herself a cup of black coffee. Her movements were elegant, as if she were attending a gala.

I leaned back, watching her little performance.

"Ms. Bennett, Mr. Sterling invited me here tonight to discuss a business contract."

"A contract?" She let out a soft laugh, turning her head to look at Julian. "Julian, if you really can't let her go, just tell me. I'll pack my things and move out. After all, it's been five years, and you clearly have no intention of marrying me anyway."

The room went dead silent for three whole seconds.

Julian leaned back, his brow furrowed deeply, his lips pressed into a hard line. He didn't say a single word.

Chloe’s expression flickered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly forced her smile back on and turned to me.

"See? He has nothing to say."

She stood up, picked up the bottle of red wine from the table, and leaned over to pour some into my glass. But her hand tilted suddenly, and the red wine splashed all over the side of my dress.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! It was an accident."

She grabbed a few napkins, bending down to wipe it off. I took the napkins from her hand and dabbed the stain dry myself.

Then, I stood up and pushed the contract right in front of Julian.

"This contract is void. Sterling Group doesn't need to contact me for any future projects. Have your assistant reach out to my company's sales department through the official channels."

I threw my purse over my shoulder. As I reached the door, I turned back to look at Chloe.

"You just said he had no intention of marrying you for the past five years. Let me tell you why."

"It's not because of me. It's because you're too easy to keep. You’ve stayed by his side for five years without demanding anything in return. He gets all of you for free. So, why would he ever bother marrying you?"

The fake smile on Chloe’s face shattered completely.

I didn't stay to watch Julian’s reaction. I pulled the door open and walked out.

The bright lights of the restaurant hallway blinded me for a second.

Behind me, I could hear Chloe’s muffled screams coming from the room. She was shouting something.

But the heavy door shut, and I couldn't care less.