Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 285

Just then, a sharp phone ringtone shattered the silence.

Julian frowned, irritated by the interruption.

Clara snapped back to reality. Heart pounding in panic, she shoved him away and retreated into the living room. Her eyes felt hot, and she twisted her fingers together, her breathing unsteady.

"Julian, there's no cure for regret in this world. What happened, happened... Answer your phone, and then get out!"

With that, she fled into the bathroom as if running for her life.

Julian watched her go, his throat burning so fiercely he couldn't speak.

The phone kept ringing.

With a heavy scowl, he fished the phone out of his pocket.

It was Arthur Higgins. He had been busy at the company managing a project all day, and something urgent had just come up that required Julian's approval.

"Mr. Lowell, regarding the project with Nova Strategic—several board members think it's too aggressive and are refusing to greenlight the partnership. If you're finished on your end, could you come down here..."

Julian stared toward the bathroom, his brows locked in a deep frown. He lit a cigarette. "Got it. Is there anything else?"

"Oh, actually, yes."

"..."

...

Clara washed her face in the bathroom, feeling instantly more awake. She had learned her lesson the hard way with Julian Lowell, and she absolutely refused to make the same mistake twice.

She was definitely leaving tomorrow.

Clara stared at her reflection in the mirror. After a long while, when the apartment outside had gone completely silent, she changed into a comfortable bathrobe and stepped out. She headed straight for the bedroom to sleep. Tomorrow morning's competition would require all her mental energy, and right now, she was beyond exhausted.

The bedroom was pitch black and silent.

Within minutes, Clara drifted into a hazy, restless sleep.

An unknown amount of time passed before the bedroom door was nudged open with a soft click.

Julian walked in. Seeing the tiny figure curled up under the blankets, his heart melted with an unfamiliar softness.

He didn't turn on the lights. Stepping silently to the edge of the bed, he sat down beside her and stared at her face.

Her features were delicate and soft, breathtakingly graceful. In her peaceful slumber, she looked so fragile he desperately wanted to wrap his arms around her.

Julian's Adam's apple bobbed. He restrained himself. He had to leave soon and didn't want to wake her.

He simply curled a finger and gently brushed her cheek. The soft, warm sensation made him murmur involuntarily, "Wait for me to come back."

Clara's eyelashes fluttered. It felt as if a heavy stone was pressing down on her chest, making it suffocatingly hard to breathe... She was a light sleeper. The moment he had walked through the door, she had woken up.

Unaware that she was awake, Julian watched her for a few more moments before finally leaving.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Only then did Clara gasp for air, like a fish finally tossed back into the water. She opened her eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. A faint redness tinted the corners of her eyes as she whispered to the empty room.

"It's too late..."

Everything was just too late.

...

Julian left the bedroom. The situation at the company was critical, and he had to go deal with it immediately.

As he passed through the living room, he happened to spot a large black suitcase resting in the corner. He paused.

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