Chapter 2

Theresa, still cradled in Julian's arms, shrank her neck, her eyes red like a little rabbit, peeking at me timidly.

"Seraphina...please don't blame Julian. It's just my health is so bad, I keep making him worry..." she said, her voice trembling.

Julian held her even tighter, shooting me a frown.

"What are you throwing a tantrum about now? I just brought Theresa to the hospital first. You have a driver and a maid. Can't you get here yourself? Why are you being jealous over a sick girl? When did you become so cruel?" Julian snapped.

Watching him act so self-righteous, any lingering feelings I had for him vanished completely.

"Julian, when I was burning up with a 102.2°F fever and passed out on the curb, you were fussing over her runny nose?" I shot back.

Julian paused for a second, then waved his hand impatiently.

"Alright, cut the act. You're built like a tank—a little rain isn't going to kill you. Theresa's not like you. She's had it tough since she was a kid; her health is delicate," he said.

As he spoke, he even shot me a look of pure disgust.

"While you're here, just pay her hospital bill. Theresa forgot her insurance card. Make sure she gets a VIP suite. She can't stand the noise," he added.

I let out a sarcastic laugh, disbelief and anger mixing.

He left me by the roadside to die, and now he wanted me to pay for his side chick's medical bills?

"No money," I said, flatly, not bothering to hide my contempt.

Julian's eyes went wide in disbelief.

Seraphina, are you crazy? Are you telling me you don't have a couple of thousand dollars? You drop hundreds of thousands on a bag like it's nothing! You just want to see Theresa suffer, don't you?

Theresa tugged at his sleeve, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"Julian, don't ask her...I can just stay in the hallway, it's really okay...cough, cough..." she whispered, her voice shaky.

"Stay in the hallway? Hell no!" Julian snapped, jabbing a finger right at me. "Seraphina, I'm telling you, go pay the bill right now! Do it, or we're through!"

Just then, a firm arm slipped around my shoulders.

Alexander's icy voice came from right above me.

"Julian, wow, you really expect my fiancée to pay for your side chick's hospital bill?" he said.

Julian froze, his eyes bouncing between Alexander and me.

Alexander? Julian thought, totally blindsided.

Why would this gentleman be here? Julian wondered, his brain short-circuiting.

And he's got his arm around Seraphina? Julian's head was spinning.

"Mr. Sterling?" Julian instantly lost his swagger, his voice stammering. "Wait, what? Fiancée?"

Alexander's gaze was cold and indifferent, like he was staring at garbage.

"Did you not hear me?" he said, his tone icy and dismissive.

Julian's face went purple with embarrassment, but he forced a smile. "You're kidding, right, Mr. Sterling? Seraphina and I have been engaged for three years. Everyone in the capital knows that."

He whipped his head around to glare at me, his voice dropping to a low, angry hiss.

Seraphina, are you done with your drama? Is it really so amusing to pull some guy just to get under my skin? Go clear things up with Mr. Sterling, now!

I brushed Alexander's hand off my shoulder. Maybe I was borrowing his presence for effect, but I had no intention of dragging him into this trainwreck.

"Nothing to explain," I shot Julian a cold look. "We're over, the second you ditched me for her and left me on the curb, that was the end."

Julian looked at me like I'd just told the funniest joke he'd ever heard.

"Break up? Seraphina, how many times have you tried this stunt? Every single time, you end up crying and begging me to take you back," he scoffed.

He was dead sure I couldn't live without him.

After all, in my last life, I really was a total simp for him.

Even when he trampled all over my dignity, I'd just blame myself and wonder if I wasn't doing enough.

"This time, I'm serious," I said, my voice steady and cold.

I turned to leave, but Julian grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he was trying to snap my bones.

"Don't you dare walk away! Theresa's hospital bill still hasn't been paid!" he barked.

"Let go."

Alexander moved in, locking Julian's wrist with what looked like barely any effort. Julian cried out in pain and instantly released me.

"Julian, don't make me repeat myself," Alexander said, his voice cold as ice.

Julian clutched his wrist, glaring at me through gritted teeth.

Fine, Seraphina, you've got some nerve. Walk out that door today, and don't even think about coming back to beg on your knees.

I couldn't even be bothered to spare him a glance. Without a second thought, I turned and left with Alexander.

Theresa's weak voice drifted from behind. "Julian, does your hand hurt? It's all my fault..."

"Don't worry about it. Girls like her—just leave her alone for a few days and she'll come crawling back. Give it a couple of days, she'll show up with some limited-edition watch, begging for forgiveness," Julian said, sounding completely convinced.

Back in the hospital room, Alexander handed me a glass of water.

"You were way too soft on them," he remarked, his tone cool.

I cradled the glass, giving a wry, self-mocking smile. "Some things just take time."

"Need me to handle it?" he offered.