Chapter 4

After a pause, Julia nodded. She didn't want Dylan to notice something was off before she left him. After that, she endured the pain in her ankles and went to the closet to pick out some outfits. Half an hour later, they arrived at the brightly lit Schneider Villa. When Julia walked behind Dylan into his family home, she instantly spotted Kaitlyn on the living room couch. Kaitlyn, donning an elegant Chanel outfit that day, was merrily chatting with Tessa. Dylan's father, Simon Schneider, was nodding and smiling beside them. What a lovely scene it was. "Dylan's here!" Tessa happily wandered over, ignoring Julia in the process as she grabbed Dylan by the arm. "Kaitlyn's been waiting for you." Startled, Dylan immediately turned around, fully expecting to see a begrudged look on Julia's face. Maybe she'd try to hold back her sadness. However, Julia merely stood silently by the side, as if she had nothing to do with this situation. "Ms. Thalman, you're here too!" Kaitlyn faked surprise before putting on a gentle smile. "Have a seat. Make yourself at home." Tessa finally glanced at Julia. She said unfeelingly, "Since you're here, behave yourself. Do not embarrass our family." Julia responded with silence. At the dinner table, Tessa and Kaitlyn gossiped about what was happening in the socialite circle. At the same time, Simon and Dylan were busy discussing company projects. No one bothered to chat with Julia. Like a ghost, she quietly ate dinner while taking in Tessa's passive-aggressive remarks. "It's important to marry someone of a similar social standing. Some women are too confident in themselves." "Dylan and Kaitlyn are childhood sweethearts. They're the perfect match because they know each other well." Julia had heard these comments countless times. At first, Dylan would cut Tessa off with a cold expression. As time went on, he'd frown and tell her to stop. Now, he did not bother to frown at Tessa. Julia kept her head low and drank the hot soup with a cold heart. After dinner, Dylan drove Julia and Kaitlyn home. Kaitlyn immediately assumed the front passenger seat, leaving Julia alone in the backseat. Kaitlyn's favorite song played in the car while she happily talked about the dinner with Dylan. Behind them, Julia stared out of the windows at the blurry neon lights. She thought of that winter when Dylan sent her home on his second-hand bicycle. She circled her arms around his waist, sliding her frozen hands into his coat pockets. "Jules, when I'm rich, I will buy a nice car so you won't have to freeze in the winter." Dylan had indeed become rich, but Julia wasn't the woman in the front passenger seat of his car. All of a sudden, a blinding light shone in their faces. Julia saw a truck lose control and veer toward them. Following a loud bang, she witnessed Dylan throwing himself at the front passenger seat to shield Kaitlyn with his body. Before Julia blacked out, she remembered her heart shattering into pieces. Even when facing death, Dylan chose Kaitlyn over herself. … Julia woke up in a hospital bed. The staff had dressed the wound on her forehead. However, her wounded ankle now hurt even more with the new injuries from the car accident. She forced herself to sit up in bed. At that moment, Tessa marched into the room, her high heels clicking as she walked. "Julia, didn't I ask you to leave the country?" Tessa bore down on Julia with contempt. "Why are you still around? Are you still dreaming of marrying Dylan?" Julia met her gaze calmly. "No. I'm still getting the paperwork processed. Don't worry. I'll leave when I get my visa." After a pause, she added, "I'll leave for somewhere far—so far that he will never see me again." Tessa snickered. "I hope you make good on your promise." The door creaked open again. This time, Dylan stood at the door with a brooding expression. "Who's leaving?"