Chapter 4Once Wanted to Be With Him Forever

Jade POV

As soon as he asked, Julian seemed to remember something, and his handsome face clouded over. "Are you following me?"

I was about to say no.

Isabella got out of the car. "I think it's just a coincidence. Ms. Miller wouldn't stoop to following us."

"It is a coincidence. I'll be going now, you two carry on."

I turned to leave, but Isabella grabbed my arm. "We haven't formally met. Since we've run into each other, why don't you join us for a meal, Ms. Miller?"

She turned to the tall, imposing man beside her. "Julian, you don't mind if I invite Ms. Miller, do you?"

Julian's eyes flickered with a complex expression for a few seconds, but ultimately, he didn't refuse her suggestion.

I was led into the restaurant.

After we ordered, Isabella smiled at me. "Ms. Miller, you might not know, but Julian and I started dating in college. Many of our friends envied our relationship."

"These past few years, even though I was far away abroad due to unavoidable circumstances, I've heard things about you and Julian."

"Ms. Miller, I'm very grateful that you took such good care of Julian these past few years."

Seeing her openly grasp Julian's hand, I immediately understood.

Isabella had invited me to this meal to stake her claim.

I noticed Julian made no move to pull his hand away. I wasn't surprised, yet my heart still ached as if tiny ants were gnawing at it.

I didn't reply, instead making an excuse to go to the restroom.

When I came out of the restroom, I saw Julian, tall and imposing, leaning against the wall.

His eyes were murky. "Jade, Isabella and I-"

"You don't need to explain. I understand."

I tried to leave, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"I know this isn't fair to you, but she suffered so much alone abroad these past few years. If I hadn't brought her back, she wouldn't have survived out there."

A bitter ache tightened in my chest, forcing my gaze up to his. "Do you truly believe the Hayes would ever accept her?"

He knew the answer. The Hayes would never accept Isabella.

His lips thinned. "You will remain my wife. I won't divorce you over this. But my heart..."

But his heart was no longer mine.

I thought of the past five years, how he'd rejected all flirtatious advances from other women for me, openly declaring I was his one and only, both in public and private.

He remembered my every preference, my annual birthday, and every single one of our anniversaries.

Even things I'd forgotten myself, he would meticulously remember for me.

Yet that profound, devoted love was no longer exclusively mine.

I forced a smile. "Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary."

"Jade..."

"Just one more anniversary with me."

One last time. Because there would never be another.

Let this be our final toast to what we once were.

Julian was silent for a moment, then agreed.

He released my hand, and I walked out of the restroom first, returning to our table.

Julian and I leaving our seats one after the other had already displeased Isabella.

Isabella watched me coldly. "What did you say to Julian?"

I replied coolly, "None of your business."

"Jade, can't you see by now? Julian loves me. I should be his wife! You're just a thief who took advantage of his amnesia to steal five years of his affection for me!"

Facing Isabella's almost twisted fury, I sneered, "A thief is still better than the daughter of his enemy, isn't she?"

"Then I'll make you see clearly whether it's you, the thief, who matters more to him, or me, the daughter of his enemy!"

Isabella exploded. She seized my wrists and slammed my palms down onto the red-hot stove burner.

I didn't even have time to react. A white-hot, violent agony shot up my arms and seared itself into my mind.

Out of the corner of my watering eyes, I saw Julian rush over. Sensing him, Isabella instantly released me. With deliberate, chilling calm, she pressed her own hand onto the burner.

A sharp, theatrical scream tore from her.

"Isabella!"

Julian was at her side in an instant. He saw her scalded hand, scooped her into his arms, and rushed out.

"Julian-"

I wanted to call out to him, but he was already gone.

He never once looked back at me, even though my burns were far worse.

Cold sweat drenched me. The pain ripped through every nerve, and soon, I fainted.