Tessa wouldn't stop complaining, but Dylan seemed oblivious to it all, trapped in his own world.

"Dylan, I'm speaking to you. Are you listening?"

She waved a hand in front of Dylan when she realized he was spacing out, but he did not react at all. He wouldn't stop muttering, "Jules… Jules…"

Tessa knitted her brows unhappily. Contempt was written all over her face.

Julia was a poor woman who had stumbled upon the rich Schneider family and entered high society only because Dylan lost his memory three years ago. Still, even luxury outfits could not take away her shabbiness.

Julia and Dylan were destined to live differently. Tessa felt relieved to learn that Julia had the self-awareness to let go of him.

At the thought, she checked out the messy living room and counted the time. Something struck her.

She arched a brow and turned to her son with a satisfied expression.

"Did Julia leav

The tightly shut doors and windows blocked out all the sunlight. The room was steeped in darkness.

Dylan had tossed his phone aside. The ringing was annoying, but he couldn't even bring himself to answer or check his phone.

Yet, the caller seemed to be engaged in a silent battle with him. The more he refused to pick up, the more the caller spammed him.

After a brief tug-of-war, Dylan yielded.

Frowning, he checked his phone and saw Kaitlyn's name on the screen, which caused him unexplainable irritation.

He hung up on her without hesitation and blocked her. When peace was restored, he let out a soft sigh of relief.

Not long after, an unknown number called him again. He immediately knew it was Kaitlyn, so he blocked the number.

He stared numbly at the ceiling while lying in the comfortable king-sized bed. Julia's smiling face filled his mind.

In the past, he never realized how impor

Meanwhile, despite Dylan enjoying a performance made better by the music, a feeling nagged away at him.

The unexplained feeling that crept in made him anxious. He felt as if something was slipping out of his control.

The musical came to an end, but he didn't enjoy it at all. He couldn't even remember the script. 

Rather, a tiny voice in his head urged him to go home. As such, he immediately got up from his seat when the musical ended.

His sudden movement shocked Kaitlyn, who ran after him.

"Dylan, what's wrong? Did you not like the musical?"

He stopped when he heard Kaitlyn's voice. Turning around, he glanced at her and shook his head. "No. Something came into my mind, and I have to leave. I'll get somebody to send you home."

Amidst Kaitlyn's pleas, he still left the venue without hesitation. She wondered what she had done to upset him and make him leave without an explanation. 

However, she smirked dismissively when she replayed his words in her mind. 

So what if he was mad at her? They had an arranged marriage in the works and the business partnership between the two families. Nothing would go wrong.

On the other hand, Dylan had no idea what had just happened to him. He finally collected himself when he arrived at the entrance of the villa.

He pushed open the doors and entered his home, habitually blurting out the familiar name, "Jules."

Time ticked away, but no one answered him.

It was at that moment that he realized Julia hadn't been answering him for some time now.

Since when did this start?

Looking back, it all started on the day she showed him photos of him on a date with Kaitlyn. While staring at him through tears, she demanded an answer. 

He reacted by tossing the photo into the trash can and replied dismissively, "I told you it was a business meeting. Why would you harp on something that has never happened?"

He couldn't recall her response, but she clearly became more silent and distant since then.

Julia had been through a lot lately, but that was fine—he'd make it up to her.

With that thought, he entered the space alone, but it only took him one glance to notice the discrepancies.

Something seemed to be missing.

He frowned as he scanned the environment. Amid the unusual silence, his eyes wavered in shock and disbelief. Even his breathing grew labored.

He pulled out everything and counted them. Only then was he forced to admit the truth—Julia's belongings were all gone.

Had she left?

But… How was that possible?

They had built a strong bond after three years of leaning on each other. Why would she leave this place alone without giving him a heads up?

He refused to believe in that possibility.

His phone started ringing at that time. Feeling panicked, he could not think or care about anyone but Julia. So, he let the ringing continue.

A while later, he heard a series of urgent knocks on the door.

Jolted, Dylan got up and answered the door. When Tessa saw him safe and sound, she frowned and lectured him with displeasure, "Why didn't you take my calls?"

Before Dylan could say a word, Tessa noticed the mess in the living room. She nagged him again, "Why did you make such a mess? Didn't you go out with Kaitlyn tonight? How could you ditch her and come home alone?

"You're getting married soon. You've done a great job so far…"

Tessa wouldn't stop complaining, but Dylan seemed oblivious to it all, trapped in his own world.

"Dylan, I'm speaking to you. Are you listening?"

She waved a hand in front of Dylan when she realized he was spacing out, but he did not react at all. He wouldn't stop muttering, "Jules… Jules…"

Tessa knitted her brows unhappily. Contempt was written all over her face.

Julia was a poor woman who had stumbled upon the rich Schneider family and entered high society only because Dylan lost his memory three years ago. Still, even luxury outfits could not take away her shabbiness.

Julia and Dylan were destined to live differently. Tessa felt relieved to learn that Julia had the self-awareness to let go of him.

At the thought, she checked out the messy living room and counted the time. Something struck her.

She arched a brow and turned to her son with a satisfied expression.

"Did Julia leave? Glad she knows her place. Since she's gone, I'll discuss your wedding plans with the Lynch family

Chapter 9