Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 171

Back at her private apartment, Clara Vance was busy unpacking. She carefully put away the belongings she had brought back from the villa, reclaiming her space.

From now on, she would never have to hear Julian claim 'this is his house' again, nor would she have to suffer his temper.

Exhausted but elated, she looked around the cozy space.

This was what happiness felt like.

After a quick shower, she changed, grabbed some fresh fruit, and headed to the hospital to visit her sister and nephew.

While she was stopped at a red light, Isabella Gates called.

Clara glanced at the screen, her expression cooling instantly. Remembering that they still had a fragile truce, she answered the phone.

"Isabella," she answered coldly.

Isabella wasted no time on pleasantries. "I heard you moved out? And you fought with Julian last night?"

Clara gripped her phone tighter.

She knew Isabella wasn't asking out of maternal concern; she wanted to know if Clara had leaked their scandalous secret.

Clara let out a dry chuckle. "Don't worry, Isabella. During this final week before I leave, I won't breathe a word. I know where the line is."

However, Julian had already seen The Departure Dossier. Whatever he decided to do now was completely out of her control.

She would face whatever came her way.

Isabella still didn't sound satisfied.

Clara cut her off. "I was set up, cyberbullied, attacked, and detained by the police for hours... After everything that has happened, I simply couldn't stay in that house a second longer. Keeping my mouth shut is the best I can offer. If you push me..."

Isabella understood the unspoken threat. She grit her teeth and compromised. "You have one last week. Do not cause any more trouble."

Clara scoffed inwardly. *I should be saying that to you.*

Her voice was ice. "I could say the exact same thing to you."

Isabella choked on a gasp of outrage and hung up.

Carrying the fruit, she walked toward the inpatient ward to see Rosalie.

To her surprise, she spotted a familiar figure standing in the corridor.

Dominic Jarrett.

He looked as though he had just stepped out of a high-stakes boardroom, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. He was as strikingly handsome as ever, and the warm sunlight streaming through the windows seemed to intentionally highlight his sharp, authoritative features.

Clara froze in surprise. She truly hadn't expected to run into him here. Was he visiting a sick friend?

Hearing her footsteps, Dominic turned his head. The moment his somber gaze landed on her, the heavy darkness in his eyes seemed to crack, letting in a sliver of light.

His jaw tightened as he carefully controlled his voice. "Visiting your sister?"

Clara snapped out of her daze, feeling a bit self-conscious. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and walked over. "Yes. What brings you here, Mr. Jarrett?"

As she got closer, she realized he looked terrible. The exhaustion was even more pronounced than the last time she saw him, casting a heavy, sleepless shadow over his face.