On the eve of our engagement, everyone was betting on when Julian Vance would tire of me. After all, he and his childhood sweetheart, Serena, were deeply in love. I was just a decoration he brought home under pressure. Even my wedding dress and diamond ring were her leftovers. The day Serena went abroad in a fit of rage... Julian acted nonchalant on the surface, but secretly squeezed my hand until it left red marks. He mocked me: "Satisfied? I never knew you were so manipulative." I wasn't satisfied. So when Mrs. Vance asked again if Julian would marry me, I spoke up first. "Let's forget it." Chapter 1 One sentence shocked the entire room. Julian took a deep breath, then glared at me coldly: "Audrey, stop making a scene." At twenty-four, Julian Vance grew up in piles of gold. Although he hadn't fully taken over the family power, his aura was already formidable. I suppressed the urge to give in and said word by word: "We are not a match. Before things go too far, let's just forget it." Mrs. Vance sighed with difficulty, but her face showed undeniable relief: "You young people, always so impulsive!" Mrs. Vance immediately got up to contact the staff to cancel the engagement gala. Julian tapped his fingers on the table, rhythmically, his tone cold and tough, as if negotiating with a rival. "Audrey, don't be ungrateful." I chuckled softly: "It's me who doesn't know my place." When you hit a dead end, you have to turn back. It's called cutting your losses. Chapter 2 Julian stood up and left, leaving only a gust of wind. I didn't beg him to stay like before. Instead, I picked up my teacup and blew on the tea leaves gently, like a true lady. After doing all this, I couldn't help but laugh. Who would have thought that ten years ago, in this very estate... Fourteen-year-old Julian found me fleeing for my life and swore to protect me. I was born into a poor, broken family. My biological father was a loser. He got bullied outside during the day and came home to vent his anger on his wife. Mom was a traditional woman. Even beaten black and blue, she would wipe her tears and cook. She always thought her husband would change. But when she had a difficult birth, he stole her only life-saving money. He said he could win it back, he could get rich. Then, ignoring his wife fainting from pain, he went to the gambling table without hesitation. I was twelve then. Mom was lying on a hospital bed in the hallway, blood pooling on the floor. I searched all my pockets and found only six dollars and ten cents. Doctors and nurses looked sympathetic but helpless. Julian broke into my world at my most helpless moment. He had just finished drag racing with his friends. A huge bruise on his eye corner, grinning in pain, yet comforting me: "Don't cry, little sister. I'm here." He used money to pave a way for Mom and my sister to survive. He gave Mom a job, saving us from suffering. When he learned I couldn't afford tuition, he arranged for me to be in his class. Sometimes love comes that simply. Julian was handsome and had excellent grades. Many girls liked him, but he ignored them all, only letting me bring him water and lunch. I was embarrassed, but secretly delighted. I thought I was different. But against Serena, I always lost. In senior year, my recommendation spot for an Ivy League school was given to Serena by Julian. I was sad, but living under someone else's roof, I couldn't say anything. Serena wasn't satisfied. She kicked over my desk: "Stop acting like a victim! A lowlife whose tuition is paid by Julian... I'm doing you a favor by taking your spot!" Even a worm will turn. I gave up the spot, and it went to the next student in line. Serena got nothing. She cried and refused to go to school. Julian didn't say anything. He just used his connections to get another spot. And told me not to bully Serena anymore. I tried to explain to Julian that Serena started it, I just fought back a little. He looked at me deeply, thinking he saw through my petty thoughts. "She's just straightforward. She didn't say anything wrong." "Did you have to be so harsh?" I froze. The fact I deliberately ignored was finally torn open nakedly. When others mocked my poverty, Julian's silence wasn't denial. He just disdained to speak. Not because he thought they were wrong. Chapter 3 In college, the Su family business collapsed. Serena's father was driven to suicide by creditors, and her mother remarried. Julian did everything to protect her, even kneeling before Mr. Vance to ask to marry her. Mr. Vance was firm: "Are you crazy? Marrying the daughter of a fraudster?" Julian was always rebellious. He didn't waste words. He just announced to everyone that he was getting engaged to me. I was a bit happy, but mostly sad. I had my pride too. If you don't love me, I'll leave. I didn't want to be his second choice. But a child lacking love is always humbler. A glimmer of hope rose in my heart. What if? What if I'm obedient, work harder, will he see me? But in the year of graduation, my grad school spot was snatched again. Serena carried an Hermes bag, the pink diamond on her hand shining brightly. Her family's misfortune didn't affect her at all. She was still the pampered rose. "Audrey, you have to understand," she held her head high, "You will never, ever win against me." My mind went blank for a moment. When reason returned, Serena was covering her face, sobbing in Julian's arms. Clear tears rolled down her cheeks. She cried pitifully: "If hitting me makes Audrey happy, I'm willing." Julian threw a huge tantrum, threatening to stop supporting me. But I didn't back down. You can have the man, but not my future. I collected evidence of Serena cheating on finals, but found everything changed. Roommates who were close to me started whispering behind my back. Walking on campus, malicious stares stabbed me. I received weird texts, creepy calls at midnight. Men panting heavily, asking how much for a night. I broke down. After seeking official help, I found the culprit. Of course, it was Serena. May in Boston, the temperature hit 95°F. Rain poured down continuously, humid and sticky. But I felt like a bucket of ice water was poured on me, teeth chattering. Julian hugged me, comforting me like when we were young: "Don't cry, I'm here." I walked into the observation room, light-headed. Serena sat on a chair, trembling slightly, crying pitifully. As if she was the victim. I heard the counselor talking to Julian outside. The counselor thanked Julian for dropping the case and promised it wouldn't affect Serena's record. Serena was uncuffed in front of me, throwing herself into Julian's arms like a bird. She complained in a baby voice that Julian came late, spoiled and arrogant. She looked at me, covering her mouth to hide a smirk. I refused to settle. But all efforts were like throwing eggs at a rock. The cloud drive with evidence of Serena's crimes mysteriously disappeared. I stood there, unable to even cry. Julian sat in front of the computer, speaking lightly. "Serena has learned her lesson. You need to know when to stop." Chapter 4 The rumors on the forum were deleted. The school issued a statement saying it was false information posted by unknown persons. No one dared to say who the unknown person was. Serena received no punishment. She continued to use Julian's secondary card to buy luxury goods everywhere, posting peaceful life updates on Instagram from abroad. Only I was trapped. All the gazes, whispers, whether kind or malicious. Made me feel like I had thorns on my back. Nights became long and unbearable. I relied on pills to close my eyes slightly at dawn. Maybe to appease me, Julian started planning the engagement party with great fanfare. Custom-made wedding dress, ten-carat diamond ring. He gave everything he could. I might have really gone crazy. Desperately trying to hold onto Julian, trying to prove something. On the eve of the engagement, I suddenly woke up from a dream. The spot next to me had been cold for a long time. The phone on the balcony was glowing with a faint white light. Julian had never been so patient with me. "Come back soon. The dress and ring are custom-made for you, isn't that enough to cool your anger?" His eyes were tender. "Be good. I'm worried about you being alone." So that was it. No wonder the sales assistant had a weird smile. No wonder the dress was inches too big, the ring loose on my finger. Everything had a trace. I covered my mouth tightly, daring not to make a sound while crying. When my tears were almost dry, Julian returned to the bedroom. Seeing me awake, he kissed the corner of my lips lightly: "We're getting engaged soon. Are you excited?" I stared blankly. Julian didn't wait for my reply and lay down. After a while, a tired sigh came from behind. Julian gripped my hand tightly, pinching red marks onto my skin. He mocked: "Serena was driven away by you. Are you still not satisfied?" "I never knew you were so manipulative." Am I excited? Am I satisfied? What about you, Julian? Are you excited? When you lie next to me, are you thinking about our future? Or reminiscing about your tragic love with Serena? The cold came fierce and fast. I swallowed a few pills dry, thoughts racing. In my dream, Julian was so gentle. But once Serena appeared, he changed his face. Gentle Julian knelt on one knee, holding the ill-fitting diamond ring. He said, Audrey, will you marry me? I cried hysterically in the dream. I said, I don't. I don't want to be a laughable footnote in your love story. The bitterness of the pills rose up belatedly. Like today's bitter tea, flowing into my limbs.
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