The New York High Society knew Julian Sterling as a playboy, changing girlfriends more often than changing clothes. Until he met me. He turned over a new leaf, transformed into a devoted husband, spoiling me alone for a full six years. I thought I was really the exception. Until our third wedding anniversary. I saw Julian holding my student Hailey, face full of deep affection. "You look so charming when you paint." "Brother Julian is just coaxing me." Hailey lowered her head shyly, "Everyone knows Teacher Vera is the goddess of the art world." "She's old. Together for six years, I lost feelings for her long ago." Julian intimately rubbed Hailey's lips, and kissed down. I was struck by lightning, the ultrasound in my hand fluttered down, reading: "Intrauterine pregnancy, eight weeks." Chapter 1 "Vera." Kiss finished, Julian still unsatisfied, but inadvertently looked up and saw me. His eyes were a bit flustered, hurriedly let go of Hailey and walked forward: "Why are you here, when did you arrive?" He was stained with a strong perfume smell, the smell he used to hate most, now enjoying it. Anger in my heart seemed ignited by this scent. I ignored his words, raised my hand and slapped him. Slap! Sound rang out, Julian covered his face looking at me in disbelief, but the guilt in his eyes could hardly be hidden. Eyes met, he murmured trying to say something, but was interrupted by Hailey. "Teacher, don't blame Brother Julian, it's me..." She spread her arms protecting in front of Julian, slender body trembling slightly. As if I were some monster. But clearly I was the one who helped her escape her leeching parents, sponsored her school, and brought her by my side to teach personally after discovering her painting talent. Double betrayal of husband and student like a big mountain, heavily pressed on my heart. I closed my eyes, about to speak. But saw Julian protect her behind him, looking at me alertly: "None of Hailey's business, don't touch her!" Immediately maybe realizing his tone was wrong, he softened his expression, explained: "Hailey is still a simple little girl, serious and hardworking, you also know right?" I pulled the corner of my mouth, couldn't help mocking: "Yes, quite hardworking at hooking up with other people's husbands." Hailey's face instantly lost color, clutching her chest about to faint. Julian immediately supported her, scolding me by full name: "Vera, you went too far! Apologize!" "Apologize? You want me to apologize to the student seducing my husband?" I looked straight at him, hole in my heart getting bigger. Julian avoided my eyes, momentum softened: "You misunderstood us, I just treat Hailey as a little sister next door, no other meaning." At this time Julian was still quibbling. I lost desire to speak, lowered head picked up the ultrasound on the ground, turned to leave. But didn't expect Hailey rushed up, grabbed my hand, crying and begging: "Brother Julian and I are not what you think, you, don't drive me away." I was about to throw off her hand, but was pushed by her backhand, rolled down the stairs. And she had a successful smile in her eyes, screaming and falling to the ground: "Teacher, don't!" "Hailey!" Following Julian's face changed greatly, hugging Hailey about to leave, completely ignoring me rolling down the stairs. A sharp colic came from lower abdomen, a stream of heat flowed down between calves, I covered my belly, look panicked: "Julian Sterling, I'm bleeding, take me to the hospital quickly." Julian stunned for a moment, he looked at me, just wanted to come over, but was pulled by sleeve by Hailey. "Brother Julian, my hand is injured, will I never be able to paint again?" Hailey pointed at the faint red mark on her hand, crying delicately. Julian's attention was immediately pulled away, left without looking back, only dropping a sentence: "Hailey is injured, I take her to hospital first, come pick you up later." Pain in lower abdomen became more obvious, but couldn't compare to my heartache at this moment. Vision darkening in bursts, consciousness more and more blurred, I struggled to call 911, completely fainted. Chapter 2 Woke up again I was lying in the hospital. "Sorry, Ms. Vera, you lost too much blood, child didn't keep." Doctor's words repeatedly rang in ears, I stared blankly at fallen leaves outside ward, heart felt dead. Long time, I finally picked up phone, dialed that number: "Felix, I agree to your cooperation, fly to Paris next week." Phone just hung up, Julian broke in, he hugged me, face full of self-blame and distress: "Vera, sorry. I didn't know." His voice full of regret. I know, his regret is sincere. When just married, we had a child, getting news he hugged me spinning circles, excited like a big boy. He looked forward to child's arrival with longing, holding dictionary staying up late researching names, even personally decorating nursery. But less than three months, I had car accident on way to company finding him, child didn't keep. He blamed himself not picking me up causing accident, also distressed I suffered car accident and miscarriage, treated me better since then. He always hugged me at night saying, child is gift from heaven, this time just gift not ready yet. Next time, child will definitely come again. Indeed, child came, on our third wedding anniversary. I went to gallery finding him with joy, wanted give him surprise. But child, left again because of him. I closed eyes, forcing back tears in eyes, pried open his fingers one by one, pushed him away: "If really sorry, let Hailey pay with life." Julian stunned, immediately defended: "Hailey didn't mean it." "Besides, if you didn't push her she wouldn't fall down stairs." Six years of love couldn't beat Hailey's one sentence, already dead heart actually could still feel pain, I sneered: "In your eyes, I am this kind of person?" He flashed hesitation in eyes, and at this time, knock on door sounded, Hailey walked in carrying lunch box. "Teacher, heard you miscarried, I boiled chicken soup to nourish your body." She served a bowl of chicken soup, handed to me, but skillfully knocked over bowl. Boiling chicken soup splashed in front of me. Julian rushed over quickly, hugged Hailey, helping her block splashing soup. "Hailey, are you okay." He carefully checked if Hailey injured, but didn't find back of my hand scalded with string of red blisters. "Vera!" Julian frowned tight, shouted at me for Hailey again, "How did you become so vicious?" "Hailey kindly sent you chicken soup, you not drinking fine, still deliberately knocked over, do you know how dangerous just now?" Blisters on hand drilled heart pain, I looked at Julian in disbelief: "What did you say?" Julian just about to speak again, peripheral vision glimpsed injury on my hand, a trace of nervousness flashed in his eyes, tone softened: "Look at you, scalded yourself. Don't be like this later." "Julian Sterling, are your eyes blind? She deliberately knocked over chicken soup." I pulled back hand, hoarse voice arguing. "Hailey so kind how possible do this?" Julian frowned again, as if I was unreasonable. "Brother Julian, don't blame Teacher, it's my fault. Teacher didn't hold steady, no, I shouldn't let go before Teacher held steady." Hailey stepped forward timely, words seemed helping me take blame. "Not blame you, it's her problem." Sure enough, right and wrong already concluded in Julian's heart. Looking at their loving appearance, I only felt nausea: "Get out!" Julian's accusing voice stopped abruptly, he looked at me, finally just said: "You calm down alone properly, I come see you later." Until night, Julian didn't come again. Phone popped Instagram notification, I clicked in, it was Hailey's nine-grid post: "Sure enough claw machine makes mood happy, with person liked happy double~" Pictures below were her and Julian's funny photos at claw machine, Julian who always sniffed at this childish game accompanied her tirelessly. I smiled self-mockingly, handled discharge procedures alone. Returned to villa, I found divorce agreement at bottom of closet, couldn't help feeling trance. This was handed to me by Julian personally on wedding day. He said: "Vera, I love you. But I know your insecurity." "This divorce agreement is guarantee I give you, if one day, I change heart, you can leave anytime." "I will use rest of life prove my love to you." I never thought would use this divorce agreement, but now, it achieved my freedom. Calmly signed name, I gave it to lawyer for certification. Car engine sound came from downstairs, Julian came back, he broke into bedroom looking flustered, sighed relief seeing me: "Vera, why didn't you answer my call?" I looked at missed calls on phone, truth said: "Didn't hear." Julian sat beside me, concerned said: "Why discharged? Just finished miscarriage surgery, body hasn't recovered well." Gentle and considerate as always, as if nothing happened. "Let's divorce." Ignoring his cheap concern, I directly said my plan. Julian stunned a bit, then laughed again: "Why saying angry words again? Still minding Hailey matter? Said I just treat her as little sister." When just married, we always quarreled due to living habits. Once quarreled I deliberately mentioned divorce, and Julian took it very seriously every time, he forcedly changed all bad habits of rich young master to accommodate me. He always hugged me saying: "Vera, not allowed scare me like this, I'm scared." Later, he treated me better and better, we never quarreled again, I also never mentioned these two words. He didn't know what thought of, continued: "Besides, leaving me, where can you go?" I have no parents, only he is my relative in world, he certain I can't leave him. I sneered in heart, but didn't argue, only calm said: "I am serious." Seeing my expression unusually cold, Julian frowned, wanted say something, but interrupted by phone ring. He looked at me, lowered voice walked to door: "Hailey, what's up." Voice gradually inaudible, I didn't care either, continued packing my personal items. Soon, Julian hurriedly walked out, only dropping a sentence: "Company business, I go over. Talk when back." Chapter 3 Next morning early, servant told me Julian didn't return all night. I shrugged indifferently, went to gallery. Day after tomorrow gallery will hold an art exhibition, fundraising for children in Foster Care. Grew up in foster care, this is my wish for many years, once completed, can leave without regret. I and assistant Annie carefully checked exhibits, instructed her keep children's paintings well, display together then. Those were sent to me specially by foster care children, tender brushes full of their gratitude to me, one of my collectibles. Until Julian came, I realized it was already afternoon. "Vera, I take you shopping." Julian talked to me, eyes looking at phone, face brimming with smile. I packing paintings on table, said: "I not going." Julian stunned, eyes finally willing look at me: "Why not go." "Don't want go." I casually said. Silent moment, he forcefully pulled me out: "Let's go, long time didn't buy you jewelry." Arrived at a frequent jewelry store, Julian took me into VIP room. Didn't expect Hailey also here. "Teacher, you sit." She arranged my seat like hostess. I looked at Julian, didn't speak. "Hailey said never wore jewelry, I brought her see world." Julian uncomfortably moved sight, pressed me sit down. He naturally walked to sit beside Hailey, handed catalog to her: "Hailey, look which jewelry you like." Clearly said bringing me buy jewelry, but completely didn't ask my opinion. Soon, staff sent tray after tray jewelry, high profile exaggerated, all styles I dislike. I bored looked at phone, turned blind eye to two people chatting laughing. "Vera, tell you something." Julian finally remembered my existence, turned head said, "Give your painting 'The Painting Girl' to Hailey." "What meaning?" I didn't react, asked in astonishment. "About to hold art exhibition soon, Hailey is newcomer, needs fame. 'The Painting Girl' is best work." Julian tone casual, face full matter of course. As if person who once said art cannot be blasphemed, determined pursue plagiarist wasn't him. "That is mine, work I painted three days three nights, to send exhibition." I laughed in anger, said word by word. "Vera, why so calculating? Your fame loud enough, this painting optional to you. Hailey different, she needs this chance." "I don't agree." I refused coldly. Julian face dyed thin anger, he looked at me deeply: "You disagree also have to agree." Arguing already lost meaning, I stopped talking. Before leaving, I went restroom, didn't expect Hailey also followed me in. "Teacher, what feeling you say Brother Julian has for me?" She looked at me full provocation. "Don't call me Teacher, you unworthy." I shook water drops, calm said. Hailey changed face: "I hate your high above look most, everything given to me seems like charity." I didn't pay attention to her anymore, wiped hands ready leave. My indifference seemed stung her, she leaned close my ear, trying use uglier words sting me: "Do you know? Your child was got rid by me deliberately. I knew you pregnant long ago." Fingertips slight pain, I pulled out hand, directly gave her a slap. "Vera, what you doing?" Julian delayed waiting us, came in just saw Hailey beaten. "She said she deliberately pushed me down stairs." I told truth. Hailey immediately said: "Not blame Teacher, is me shouldn't come pick jewelry." Her tears hung on eyelashes, slap mark on face red, whole person appeared pitiful. Julian sure enough didn't believe my words, started blaming me again: "How you become so petty now, this bit thing worth you hit people?" "Apologize!" Still old trick, I lazy watch them perform, turned leave. "Vera, don't regret." Behind came Julian gritting teeth voice. Chapter 4 At night, I packed last box luggage, received Annie's call. "Sister, come gallery quick, accident." "What happened?" I hurriedly rushed to gallery, only saw mess, many paintings casually thrown on ground, some even stepped on. And my most cherished foster care children's paintings, were all torn. Annie tone anxious: "Is Mr. Sterling, he brought Hailey over, said want teach you lesson." I dialed Julian phone, voice carrying tremble: "Children's paintings you destroyed?" "Little lesson for you, learn how respect others." Julian voice came, tone relaxed, as if joking. "You clearly know meaning of those paintings to me." My voice hoarse terrible. Phone that side, Julian voice paused instant, then said: "Who let you unwilling apologize." Not waiting me say anything, he continued: "'The Painting Girl' I also took, later this painting belongs Hailey." "Impossible." I found back voice. "Day after tomorrow art exhibition if still want hold smoothly, you better agree." Phone that side, Julian tone became forest cold. "You threaten me?" I tightly clenched fist, whole body blood surging. "Vera, I also don't want. Just, this is I promised Hailey." Julian sighed, "Just my one sentence, can withdraw capital, you consider clearly." "I agree you." Tight clenched fist powerlessly loosened, I compromised. Julian smiled satisfied: "Vera good, didn't you always want go back foster care look? After exhibition I take you." Finished, he hung up phone. Annie looked at my ugly expression, dared not say a word. Long time, I asked softly: "Gallery buyer contacted well?" "Contacted well, Mr. Zhou willing buy gallery at three times market price." Annie worried looked at me, "Sister, you really leaving?" "Mm. I greeted Sister Fen, after exhibition day after tomorrow, you go directly to her." Annie hesitated speak, finally just sighed: "Sister, take care!" Approaching noon, Mr. Zhou asked me to restaurant talk gallery details, didn't expect bumped into Julian again. He feeding lobster to Hailey, Hailey bit down, held his finger. Julian eyes dark, pressed her back head kissed up. Then, Hailey face shy threw into Julian arms. "Brother Julian, will you always good to me?" "Of course." Julian smiled gentle affectionate, just like appearance to me back then. "Vera, what wrong?" Mr. Zhou pulled dining chair, seeing me delayed sit, curious asked. "Nothing." I took back sight sat down. Movement here alarmed Julian, he walked over face unkind, tone terrible cold: "Who is he?" "Partner." I didn't lift head, casual perfunctory. Sensing my coldness, Julian inexplicably uncomfortable, he pursed lips: "Finish eat I send you back." I noncommittal. After meal, Mr. Zhou left first, I just about call Annie pick me, Julian car stopped in front: "Get in." I looked at passenger seat, Hailey looking at me innocent. "Vera, you sit back." Julian casually looked me once, ordered. "No need." I calm smiled, straight left. "Vera, what you making trouble again?" Julian chased over, face written full irritability. I threw off his hand, said nothing, continued walk forward. "Good, this is you want go yourself." Julian roared exasperatedly behind me.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "390519", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel