Chapter 2

Julia went home alone. When she arrived, she took out the first-aid kit in the living room and dressed her wound by herself. The prickly pain felt like ant bites. When she made her way upstairs, she noticed the grand piano in the corner of the living room. Shortly after Dylan recovered his memories, he bought her the piano and promised to teach her how to play. Yet, the piano was left collecting dust, just like their relationship. She teared up and hurried into her room to pack her belongings. Slowly, she packed her clothes, identity documents, and bank cards. It was as though she was saying farewell to her old self. Someone abruptly barged into the room when she was packing. Dylan stood at the door with his jacket draped over his arm. His tie was loose. He furrowed his brows at the sight of the open luggage bag on the floor. "What are you doing?" "Packing my stuff," she replied calmly, folding her clothes with her head hung low. He drew closer with a frown, smelling faintly of the fragrance on Kaitlyn from this evening. He grabbed her wrist with a force that caused her to wince. "Are you threatening to leave just because I had dinner with Kaitlyn? She was gracious enough to forgive you for hurting her. How could you throw a tantrum instead?" She looked up at Dylan. He was clearly irritated. "Kaitlyn and I are family friends. Her parents requested that I take care of her since she's just come home from abroad. Can't you be more mature?" His remark was akin to a stab to the heart. She clutched her clothes, wrinkling the fabric. She had planned to leave their relationship. What more did he want? "Speak!" He raised his voice without warning. She quietly turned around and went back to packing. Her silence infuriated him. "Fine. Let's see how long you'll keep this up." He slammed the door loudly. The sound left her shaken. … The next morning, Julia went down to the first floor and found Kaitlyn chatting and laughing with Dylan in the living room. Kaitlyn donned a white maxi dress today, looking pure and elegant in her exquisite makeup. Upon seeing Julia, she sprang from the couch and put on a sweet, innocent smile. "Ms. Thalman, you're up! My parents insisted that Dylan bring me to the auction today. Please don't overthink." Julia glanced at Dylan. Head lowered, he was busy fumbling with the buttons on his sleeve, not even giving her a look. "I won't," Julia whispered back. "Whatever happens between you is none of my business." Upon hearing that, he paused and frowned deeper. Before he could say anything, Kaitlyn invited, "Ms. Thalman, do you want to join us? It's not like you're occupied anyway." Julia wanted to turn down the invitation, but Kaitlyn had enthusiastically grabbed her arm and hauled her into the car. That was how Julia attended the auction event. Many important figures were in attendance at the venue, which was lit up with dazzling lights. Dylan sat in the front row, casually raising his paddle once in a while. He won bids for jewelry and luxury watches and handed them over to Kaitlyn, who sat next to him. Kaitlyn wore a demure smile, occasionally whispering into his ear. Their intimate exchange was jarring to the eyes. "Dylan, do you want to make some bids for Ms. Thalman?" Kaitlyn threw out a thoughtful suggestion deliberately. Dylan replied flatly, "It's fine. She's not used to luxury anyway." A smirk appeared on Kaitlyn's face. She secretly gave Julia a victorious smile when Dylan wasn't watching. Julia looked down, rubbing her fingers against the auction booklet with bitterness. Was it true that she was not used to luxury? Or did Dylan believe she wasn't deserving of luxury? Perhaps, in Dylan's eyes, she would remain that woman who came from the slums. Even if she became his partner, she wouldn't be deserving of luxurious items. But it hardly mattered. Soon, she would have nothing to do with him anymore. She quietly sat in a corner, watching Dylan splurging at the auction for Kaitlyn. They acted lovey-dovey, making her feel like an outsider. Finally, the last item was presented for the auction—a diamond bracelet. Julia held her breath. She rolled her fists. That bracelet belonged to her late grandma! Three years ago, Dylan worked at a construction site just to get some money for Julia's birthday present, and he was nearly killed in a fall. To gather money for his surgery, Julia was forced to sell the bracelet—the only thing her late grandma left for her. When she saved enough money to pawn it back, someone had bought that bracelet. She visited all the antique stores in town to find it but to no avail. She was taken aback to see it before her eyes now. Elated, she lifted her paddle without thinking. "A million dollars!" Kaitlyn turned around and stared at her in surprise. Chuckling, she raised her paddle. "Three million dollars!" "Four million!" "Five million!" After rounds of competitive bidding, Dylan frowned, his gaze sweeping past Julia and Kaitlyn. Finally, he raised his hand slightly to offer the highest bid at the venue. The auctioneer slammed the gavel on the table. "Congratulations, Mr. Schneider!" Amidst the gasps of the attendees, Dylan turned to Kaitlyn. "Since you love that bracelet, consider it my gift to you." The paddle fell out of Julia's hand onto the floor.