Chapter 2
I clenched my fists tightly, not letting a single tear fall in front of everyone.
Until I passed everyone and came to the fire escape alone, I dropped to my knees, finally able to break down.
All the pent-up frustration, sorrow, and unwillingness crashed over me instantly.
I really didn't understand.
I didn't wrap my head around how ten years of love could be snatched away so easily.
I didn't know why Julian and Nola would betray me at the same time.
And I really didn't get why, when I had never done a single bad thing in my life, I had to be treated like this.
Did I really deserve it? Was I really not worth anything?
In the darkness, I finally could no longer hold back. Tears poured from the corners of my eyes, flooding down my cheeks.
I bit the back of my hand to keep from making a single sound. My despair was silent and unseen in the deserted stairwell.
Suddenly, the door behind me was pushed open.
I hugged my head in panic, my voice shaky and desperate as I pleaded, "Don't look at me. Please, just don't look at me."
But instead of any questions or mocking, he just stayed silent.
He stood still for a few seconds, then took off his suit jacket and covered me with it.
A faint, barely noticeable whiff of cologne instantly filled the air around me.
His suit jacket felt like a barrier that cut me off from the outside world and gave me an overwhelming sense of security at that moment.
After that, footsteps echoed, and the door closed again.
He actually left just like that.
Curled up in the jacket, I cried for a while until I finally calmed myself down.
I touched up my makeup in the bathroom. Unless someone looked closely, they wouldn't notice anything off except for my slightly red eyes.
After I was sure I looked all right, I raised the suit jacket and gave it a careful look.
First of all, it definitely wasn't Julian's. That jerk's suit jacket was the one I picked out for him in the morning.
Besides, it looked familiar, and the material was really high-end.
Where had I seen it before?
Clutching the jacket and still full of questions, I returned to the party hall.
When I stood at the entrance, my gaze quickly swept across the room. Everyone from every department was suited up. With the air conditioning cranked up, everyone kept their jackets on.
My eyes finally landed on the main VIP booth.
That exclusive spot was reserved for the CEO and department heads. The CEO, Kian Hart, sat in a spotless white shirt, but his jacket was gone!
My heart skipped a beat.
Really? The person who put his jacket over me in the stairwell just now was Kian?
Just when I covered my mouth and was speechless in shock, Kian, who was quietly talking with the executives, suddenly turned his head and looked straight at me.
Then, holding a champagne glass with those elegant fingers, he gently raised it toward me in a silent toast.
I swear, I could feel myself turning to stone right then and there.
This out-of-this-world twist almost immediately washed away the sting of being betrayed by Julian and Nola.
At this moment, I couldn't even feel sad anymore. Seriously, what could be more socially devastating than having my top boss witness my meltdown?
As for me, nothing mattered more than my reputation.
For a split second, I was almost ready to resign, but reason managed to calm me down.
Since I'd locked eyes with Kian, there was no way I could pretend not to see him, especially since I was literally clutching his jacket.
Thinking of this, I got myself together, took a deep breath, and slowly walked towards Kian.
But before I could get there, I was blocked by someone.
I looked up and met Julian's gaze, and his eyes were brimming with guilt.
He said softly, "Sweetie."
He whispered in a pleading voice.
I looked at him with a blank expression, trying to remain calm.
I said coldly, "Julian, as Nola's fiancé, isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to call me by that nickname?"
He stepped even closer, his voice pleading as he said, "Sweetie! I know you won't forgive me no matter what I say. It's all my fault. I messed up everything. This isn't the place for this. Let's find a quiet place to talk about it, okay?"
What was left to talk about now?
No matter how we talked, it wouldn't change the fact that everything had already been done.
He really proposed to Nola, he really erased me from his life, and the pain he caused me was all too real.
It was beyond repair.
Thinking of this, I frowned and stepped back.
I said, "I have nothing to talk to you. Go find your fiancée. Don't bother me."
After saying that, I brushed past him, ready to leave.
But Julian reached out and grabbed my arm!
He insisted, "Sweetie, you're coming with me today. I have something to tell you!"
Before I could speak, someone suddenly rushed over. With my arm still caught in Julian's grip, a hard slap hit me across my face.
The slap made my head spin, and I almost fell to the ground.