Chapter 3

At the mention of me, the tenderness in Julian's eyes disappeared instantly, replaced by his usual cold indifference. "No, she won't. Lily and I are just in it for what we need from each other," he said, his voice flat and emotionless.

A sharp pain shot through my chest, and I went pale as a sheet. I staggered, trying to walk away, but ended up bumping into the table, knocking it over.

Julian noticed the noise and saw how drained I looked. Almost on instinct, he let go of Rose and hurried over to me.

Rose reached out to stop him, but he was already gone before she could even touch him. Her eyes flashed with resentment and venom.

Julian held me close, and the tenderness and worry in his eyes felt genuine. It was not just for show.

But I was exhausted, and I didn't want to keep being entangled with him any longer. "Julian, let's end this marriage," I said, my voice steady but weary.

His eyes darkened with irritation, and he glared at me, his face clouded. "No. I won't allow it," Julian said, his voice low and stubborn.

"Rose is already carrying your child. If you don't marry her as your official wife, it's just not fair to her. Since you two care for each other, I don't want to be the villain here. Maybe we should just—"

Before I could finish, Julian cut me off, his voice cold as ice. There was a ruthless glint in his eyes that made him seem like a stranger to me.

"I told you. Unless I allow it, you can forget about leaving me," he said, his tone brooking no argument.

Lying in bed, thinking back on everything that's happened lately, I finally closed my eyes. Julian was a complete mystery to me. But I didn't regret my decision.

The news that Julian was going to marry Rose spread like wildfire through Riverside City.

Once again, I became the talk of the town. Everyone was speculating about when Julian would finally kick me out.

Meanwhile, Rose was swaggering around, rubbing her belly and showing off her pregnancy right in my face.

"After Julian's parents found out I was carrying his baby, they practically wanted to give me every good thing in the Carter residence," she bragged.

As she spoke, she smirked at my belly. "Let me give you some advice," Rose said with a sneer. "The Carter family is way too big to keep around a woman who can't give them children."

I couldn't help but touch my own stomach, my face twisting with pain. I once had a child. But I'd never be able to have children again.

I remembered when the doctor told me I was pregnant. I actually felt a little hopeful. But when I went to Julian, all excited, I found him holding some strange woman. That was the first time I ever caught him with another woman.

My emotions got the better of me. I totally lost it, unleashing all my fury on Julian.

But he just stood there, frowning, his eyes icy and indifferent as he watched me lose it.

Back in our room, I gave him a cold stare, asking why he'd betrayed his promise. We'd agreed to take what we needed from each other, owing nothing.

I had no idea which words hit a nerve, but suddenly he was like a beast unleashed, pinning down my thrashing hands. His eyes went wild as he pinned me to the bed, yanking at my clothes.

I was terrified by how fast things spiraled out of control. Instinctively, I fought back, but that only made him rougher. In the end, as blood soaked the sheets, I lost my baby.

It was only then that he seemed to wake up from a dream, staring in shock at the mess he'd made.

The doctor said I'd never be able to have children again. I just nodded, numb inside.

After that, Julian didn't bother to hide it anymore. He went after every pretty face that caught his eye, swapping out women like they were nothing.

"Lily, please, don't kick me out." Rose's sudden voice yanked me out of my thoughts.

That was when I noticed she was sobbing like her world was ending. Julian was standing right behind her, looking like he was about to explode.

I just stood there, stunned for a second. Before I could even react, Julian's hand came down hard across my face.

"What the hell are you doing?" he shouted. "She's carrying my child! Are you trying to hurt the baby? How could you be so cruel?"

I was knocked to the side, my cheek swelling up fast, and a metallic taste flooded my throat.

Julian looked uneasy, avoiding my gaze, his right hand trembling.

Rose shot me a smug look, then slipped into Julian's arms, sobbing.

"Julian... I just wanted to be on good terms with her, so I brought her some gifts," she whimpered. "But she just tossed them out and said I didn't deserve to marry you."