Chapter 3

Even though we were supposed to be getting married, my parents' upbringing meant we'd always slept in separate rooms.

Since he was leaving, I had to clean out his space.

I was halfway through when a photo fell out from the inside of a bookshelf.

I picked it up, confused, but the moment I saw the image, my eyes widened in shock.

It was a picture of a younger Serenity and Julian, both of them smiling brilliantly at the camera.

Julian's arm was firmly wrapped around Serenity's waist, their intimacy suggesting a relationship that was anything but casual.

And in the background of the photo, there was me―squatting on the ground, busy picking up the trash Julian had just tossed aside.

So, they had been having an affair since way back then.

I was the fool who'd been kept in the dark, nearly sacrificing my entire life for them.

Thinking about it made me shake with rage. I hated myself for being so blind.

I'd actually believed in their "pure friendship."

Suddenly, Julian's burner phone rang, filling the room.

Seeing the name "Serenity" on the caller ID, I hesitated for a moment before answering.

Julian was supposed to be with her. Why was she calling me?

I got my answer fast. The sound of heavy, suggestive breathing echoed through the line:

"Julian, you just saw Naomi, and now you're doing this... it's not right..."

Serenity cooed with fake guilt.

Julian's tone was filled with utter impatience:

"Don't mention that bitch. She's boring, she doesn't know how to have fun, and she only knows how to piss me off. If it wasn't for her family's money, I wouldn't have dealt with her for this long!"

"You're the one who's smart and sweet. I really want to spend my whole life with you."

Serenity sighed:

"If Naomi found out, she'd definitely hate me even more. Oh, I don't know what I did wrong."

Julian sneered:

"Don't worry about her. She's been chasing after me for so many years like a lovesick puppy; she can't live without me. Forget the baby―even if we brought the kid home for her to raise, she wouldn't dare say a word."

Even though I had prepared myself, hearing the man I'd loved for years put me down like that still stung.

My youth? I'll just consider it fed to the dogs.

After they finished their little session, Julian got up to shower.

Serenity grabbed the phone, eager to rub it in:

"You heard everything, right? If you're smart, you'll just walk away."

I smiled faintly:

"If he really liked you that much, why didn't he just be with you from the start?"

"Then again, a whore and a dog are a match made in heaven. Of course I'll give you the spot. Just looking at Julian makes me sick!"

Serenity's voice screeched:

"You!"

I hung up the phone without another thought.

I packed up all his belongings and tossed them out.