Chapter 8

Julian finally came home that day. He walked in and immediately saw the suitcases stacked in the living room. His brows drew together as he crossed the room and stopped behind Trina, who was sorting books off the shelf. He slid his arms around her waist. "What are you packing for?" he asked calmly, though a nervous edge slipped into his voice. Trina's body went rigid. She didn't turn around or answer. She just kept putting the books into a box one by one. Julian turned her to face him. "Are you still angry? Sienna was wrong to lock you in the morgue, but you kicked her into a frozen lake and she ended up sick for days. Can't we just let it go now? "Today's your birthday. I organized a party for you at the military guesthouse. You've always liked a crowd. Come on, I'll take you over." Ever since Kaia's passing, Trina hadn't really celebrated her birthday. It was Julian who had made birthdays feel warm again. He had made her feel like someone actually cared. But now, all his thoughtful arrangements only left her exhausted and deeply repulsed. "I don't want to go," she said coldly, lowering her lashes. "Why are you being so stubborn this time?" Julian tried to maintain his patience. "I even invited a bunch of your friends. They're already there. Don't make them wait." He talked her into it and pulled her along anyway. The party really was extravagant, overflowing with flowers, music, good food, and gifts stacked high like a small mountain. Julian had even pulled strings to invite a band she loved to play live just for her. The only eyesore in the whole room was Sienna. She sat in a corner in a simple dress, looking as fragile as ever, but her gaze drifted to Trina again and again, carrying a smug challenge. Trina couldn't be bothered to spare her a glance. Her friends quickly gathered around, venting their outrage in low voices. "Trin, that's Sienna, right? The one Julian really likes? She's really nothing special. How is she better than you?" "Exactly! Julian must be blind! He's got the best, but he's still hung up on someone who can't even compare." Trina listened quietly without joining in. So what if she was prettier? It didn't change the fact that Julian liked Sienna. Soon, it was time for cake and candles. A towering three-layer cake was pushed in, with delicate candles glowing on top. Amid the cheers and teasing, Trina closed her eyes and made a casual wish. The moment she opened them again, there was a loud crash somewhere behind her, followed by a chorus of startled cries. The champagne tower had toppled. She turned toward the sound. Sienna was on the floor, and Trina's friends were standing around her, furious. Trina's brows pinched together. She was about to walk over, but Julian got there first. He carefully pulled Sienna to her feet and shielded her with his body. His voice came out sharp and cold. "What happened?" Sienna's eyes immediately filled with tears. Her voice trembled as she said, "They... They said I stole Trina's birthday present and tried to search me. I refused, but they forcefully did it. "The gift somehow ended up in my bag. I swear I didn't take it! I don't know how it got there! They yelled at me and shoved me, and I ended up hitting the champagne tower. It crashed to the floor..." "Liar!" one of Trina's friends snapped, her face flushed with anger. "We saw you put it in your bag. It fell out, so we asked you about it! But before we even finished talking, you threw yourself at the champagne tower and knocked it down. You staged the whole thing yourself!" "That's enough!" Julian cut her off, his cold stare sweeping across Trina's friends. "Apologize to Sienna." "What?" Trina's friend stared at him in disbelief. "She stole Trina's gift and you want us to apologize to her?" "I believe what Sienna said," Julian replied, every word firm and final. Rage roared up in Trina's chest. She stepped forward, pulling her friends behind her as she faced Julian head-on. "I believe my friends," she shot back. "They would never accuse someone for no reason! We're not apologizing!" Julian's expression darkened. He stared at Trina for a long moment, then said coldly, "Sienna has better jewelry than that. She wouldn't bother stealing something so cheap." His words cut straight through her. He was basically telling her he had given Sienna plenty of expensive jewelry and how close they had been back then. So, he believed Sienna would never steal. When Trina glanced at Sienna, she caught the fleeting glint of triumph in the latter's eyes and finally understood. Sienna hadn't cared about the gift. What she wanted was for Julian to be by her side and take a stand against Trina and her friends. "Apologize," Julian repeated impatiently. "Not a chance," Trina said, refusing to back down. Julian's patience snapped. He stopped looking at Trina and turned to the guards instead. "Take them away! Charge them with disorderly conduct and slander! Give each of them 20 strikes! When it's done, call their families and ask if they want the military to teach their daughters some discipline!" "Julian, don't you dare!" Trina shouted furiously. But Julian acted as if he hadn't heard a word. He simply scooped Sienna into his arms and walked off, leaving Trina standing there, yelling after him while he never once looked back.