Chapter 4

Amelia's POV

I didn't know how to respond, so I slipped out of his grip and turned to walk back.

Julian, perhaps sensing he was about to lose me completely, began passionately describing our past love, tears glistening in his eyes.

As he spoke, tears spilled over—genuine tears, as if mourning something precious that was lost. He reminisced about the college version of me, the passionate, cheerful, brave me.

As we passed through the garden, despite his tears, his eyes sparkled with childlike excitement.

"Amy, do you remember? This is where I proposed to you. You walked toward me in that yellow dress, and I thought—I'm about to marry the woman I love most."

The scene before us was starkly different. The garden had been neglected for over a year—the fountain was covered in green algae, the pathways choked with weeds and tangled vines.

He noticed my gaze and said gently but firmly, "I'll clean this up like before, plant your favorite white roses everywhere."

I pulled my hand free and stared into his broken eyes. "We can't go back, Julian. It's too late for everything."

"You have someone now, and so do I."

He shook his head desperately. "No, it's not like that. I don't love her. Sophia just reminded me of you—the college you. The same passion, the same hope for life."

Always making excuses.

But I had never changed. After my father died, I locked myself in my room for months, crying until I couldn't stop shaking. I never told him any of this. In front of him, I always smiled, stayed strong, bearing the wounds alone.

I rebuilt the family business from near bankruptcy, helped my uncle clean up all the mess my father left behind. Yet Julian said I had "changed," that he missed the old me.

Absolutely ridiculous.

"So you admit you cheated. Julian, I'm still alive. You don't need to find someone to replace me."

"You're irreplaceable to me. I don't love her at all. It was just a mistake, a drunken night when I mistook her for you—"

A sound from the corner interrupted our conversation.

Sophia stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her face.

Julian barely glanced back at me before turning to me again, swearing to cut all ties with Sophia. He would fire her, send her abroad—whatever it took.

"Enough, Julian!" I yanked my hand away. "I barely made it through this. I barely let go. Why are you dragging me back into this mess?"

I strode away, but he followed. As we passed Sophia, her voice choked with desperate hope.

"Julian... I'm pregnant."

"Get rid of it."

He didn't even turn around, his expression as cold as winter stone.

I had once loved this man deeply. Realizing this felt like bearing a crime that could never be erased, devastating me.

"You bastard! How dare you!"

Apparently, Sophia had told Julian's parents first.

Mr. Kerr's hand struck my cheek with shocking force. The blow left me dizzy, ears ringing, the world spinning.

Why me?

The next second, Marcus punched Robert to the ground.

Mrs. Kerr glanced at me with concern, then rushed to separate the fighting men. Julian tried to join the fray, but Marcus's fury extended to him too. I finally pulled Marcus away, leaving Julian lying dazed on the marble floor.

"What the hell are you doing?" I demanded.

"I can't stand watching them bully women," Marcus said, flexing his knuckles. "I promised your father when we were kids that I'd protect you."

Marcus's father and mine were neighbors, and he was my best friend growing up. If I hadn't met Julian in college, they would have arranged our marriage.

After high school graduation, Marcus went abroad to study. Due to the time difference, I rarely received his calls, and even when I did, we didn't have much to talk about. Until one day, I mentioned meeting a boy in debate club and asked Marcus what gifts boys liked. He was silent for a long time before hanging up.

He never called again after that.

Until after my graduation, the only post he made on social media was: "What do you do when your girl gets stolen away?"

I was worried and messaged him asking if someone had broken his heart. He said yes.

He paused, then asked how things were going with "that person." I told him Julian and I were getting married.

He said nothing. My childhood companion disappeared completely from my life.

After Marcus returned to take over the family business, business friction inevitably brought him into contact with Julian. They became good friends—at least on the surface. Marcus's office was directly across from the Kerr building.

Every Thanksgiving, the Kerrs would invite him over, knowing he always spent the holiday alone. But he always politely declined.

Until today.

I stared at him—this man who had reappeared in my darkest moment. His eyes still held that protective look from my childhood memories, when he would shield me from anyone who made me cry.

"He's back," I thought. "Just when I need an ally most."