Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 199

Outside the hotel.

Clara had slight night blindness. She hesitated at the top of the stairs, taking a long moment before finally stepping down.

Suddenly, a Bentley parked by the street flashed its headlights twice, the bright beams cutting sharply through the darkness, illuminating her path.

It was Julian's car.

Anyone else would have thought he was being romantic, lighting the way for her.

But Clara knew the truth. He was just losing his patience.

Clara pressed her lips together, quickening her pace. She pulled open the passenger door, sliding into the seat as she told him, "You really didn't need to take me home. I could have managed on my own."

Julian stared at her. The overhead dome light was on, and his eyes instantly locked onto the white magnolia tucked securely in her hair.

He knew her well enough to know she would never do something as childish as putting a flower in her own hair.

Which meant Dominic had done it.

Julian's temper flared into a violent rage.

His face hardened into a mask of ice. He leaned over, closing the distance between them, and viciously ripped the magnolia from her hair. He rolled down the window and tossed it out onto the street.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Clara cried out, raising her hands to stop him, but it was too late. Furious, she turned and glared at him. "Julian, what is wrong with you?"

Julian scoffed, his expression growing even darker as he took in her furious glare.

He aggressively pulled the seatbelt across her chest and snapped it into place, spitting out a single, venomous word. "Ugly."

Clara was stunned into silence.

Did he mean the flower, or did he mean her?

Knowing his absolute disdain for her, Clara assumed it was the latter. For the three years they had been together, he had never once complimented her. No matter what she did, it was never enough.

Her lips pulled into a tight line. The moment he finished buckling her in, she unbuckled it, reaching for the door. "I'll take a cab home."

Julian frowned, instantly locking the doors. "What kind of tantrum are you throwing now?"

A tantrum? He still thought she was throwing a tantrum?

Too exhausted to ask, she grabbed the door handle to get out, only to find the door was still locked.

Taking a deep breath, she turned and glared at the man beside her. "Unlock the door."

Julian didn't say a word. He cut the engine, leaned back against the headrest, and pinched the bridge of his nose with one hand. Between the exhausting work schedule and alternating between the freezing outdoors and the heated ballroom, he had caught a nasty cold. Right now, his head was pounding relentlessly.

After a moment, he dropped his hand and looked at her, his voice rough and raspy. "You can get out, but I'm coming with you."

Clara paused at the sound of his hoarse voice. It didn't take a genius to realize he was sick and miserable.

In the past, even if she had been furious with him, she would have swallowed her pride and catered to his every need the moment he showed a hint of illness.

But tonight, she didn't even want to ask if he was okay.

"No. That is my apartment. Unlock the door, Julian."

Julian stared at her, the icy indifference in her eyes hitting him like a physical blow.

A strange, hollow sensation washed over him.