Chapter 12
I went back to the office after that call.
All the problems I’d faced vanished overnight, like they’d never happened.
Just like that, my old life was back.
My boss sipped tea and told me to come back and work peacefully.
Starting over somewhere else would be too hard.
I nodded quietly and canceled my train ticket.
Whether Julian had a change of heart or not, I wasn’t gonna give up the life I’d worked so hard for.
It was mine to begin with.
After that day, Julian disappeared for a long time.
I ran into Jasper on a rare sunny day.
After small talk, he said directly, “I put together what happened between you and my brother.”
“He’s a real piece of work.”
“If you ever need help, just call. I won’t say no.”
I nodded.
Jasper went on, “Karma hit him fast, though.”
“He and Chloe got into a bad car accident. One hit his head, the other broke her leg. They’re still in
the hospital.”
“You wanna go gawk?”
I shook my head. “No point.”
Jasper breathed a sigh of relief when he saw I really didn’t care. “Good. You’re actually over him. My brother’s a liar. Just wanted to keep you on the side.”
“Just making sure you won’t go back.”
“Actually, I came to warn you–he called off the engagement with the Voss family. He’ll probably
come for you once he’s out of the hospital.”
I froze and stared at him.
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He was already standing up to leave. He waved. “Call me if you need anything. I’ve got your back.”
Jasper was wrong.
Weeks passed, and Julian still didn’t show up.
Until the first snowfall. I ran into him.
I tensed up, instantly guarded.
He looked pale, still recovering from the crash. When he met my eyes, he paled even more.
His voice was hollow. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Lina, I won’t force you anymore.”
Honestly, I didn’t want to face him at all.
He called out as I turned to leave.
”
“…Wait. Five minutes. I have something for you.”
On the table lay a deed to a penthouse with my name on it, and a signed check.
I flipped it open: a 300–square–meter luxury apartment in downtown Full City.
Julian started to speak, worried I’d refuse. But I just took them.
“Thank you.”
I didn’t argue or reject them.
I’d finally made peace with it.
Whether it was guilt or compensation, this was pocket change to Julian.
But it was security for me.
I didn’t expect him to actually leave me alone. I didn’t know how long he’d keep his word.
Worst case: if he changed his mind and ruined my life again, I wouldn’t be helpless like before.
Julian saw right through me. He shook his head. “It won’t happen again.”
“I promise. Nothing like that will ever happen again
But I didn’t believe empty words anymore.
I thought for a second, then made one request. “If you really mean it, stay away from every place I
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go.”
I wanted to cut him out completely, but I knew I couldn’t run forever.
The
gap between us was too big. Even if I left Full City, Julian could find me in this industry anytime he wanted.
He could destroy my life with a single move.
I couldn’t guarantee forever. I could only take what could get.
Maybe one day Julian would find someone new, get bored, and let me go.
Julian’s face went white at my words.
When five minutes were up, I left.
Before I walked away, I asked one last time. “This is the last time we’ll see each other. Right?”
Julian watched me through the falling snow.
I kept walking.
A quiet, broken “yes” floated after me in the wind.
