Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 44

Speechless.

The whispers felt like explosives going off directly inside Seraphina's brain.

A suffocating wave of despair crashed over her.

Clara Vance!

***

Clara left the mall, standing on the curb as she waited for the driver to pull the car around.

The biting winter wind cut through her clothes like icy knives.

Her body went entirely numb, her stiff fingers clinging desperately to the heavy garment bag.

Inside her mind, the image of Julian's cold, indifferent stare played on a relentless, torturous loop.

She forced herself to swallow the suffocating wave of despair rising in her chest.

God, she had been such a fool. What was she thinking back then? Following him blindly, not caring about his wealth or status, wanting nothing but the man himself.

But then she realized how incredibly lucky she was.

This miserable existence was about to end.

Clara looked up at the pitch-black sky, her eyes raw and red, her throat working hard as she swallowed her tears.

Soon after, Benny pulled up in the luxury car and drove her back to the estate.

Before stepping out, Clara turned to the driver. "Benny, you don't need to come pick me up tomorrow."

Benny assumed she had personal errands and wanted to drive herself, so he gave a warm smile.

"Of course, Manager Vance. Just give me a call whenever you need a ride."

Clara's smile faltered slightly. She didn't correct him, simply turning and walking toward the sprawling villa.

Hearing the door, Susan, the maid, hurried into the foyer to help brush the snow off Clara's coat.

Seeing Clara's cheeks flushed crimson from the freezing cold.

And feeling her ice-cold hands.

Susan's heart broke for her.

"Why are you so freezing? Hurry, go inside. I'll get you a hot water bottle to warm you up."

A genuine warmth blossomed in Clara's chest. She gently stopped the older woman. "It's fine, Susan. Really."

"Well... are you hungry? What are you craving? Let me whip something up for you."

Clara hadn't eaten dinner, and the hunger was finally hitting her.

"A bowl of soup would be perfect."

"Wonderful. Go take a nice, hot shower. I'll bring it right up to your room as soon as it's done."

She remembered the sheer, blushing excitement she felt the very first time she moved into this bedroom. She truly believed this was going to be her forever home. She had poured her heart into decorating every square inch, hand-picking everything down to the smallest potted plants.

In the end... it was all just a massive, cruel illusion.

Over the years, Julian barely even set foot in this room.

Clara let out a bitter laugh, a suffocating emptiness expanding in her chest.

Just then, a knock echoed against her door.

Followed immediately by the click of the handle turning.

Julian walked in, carrying a steaming bowl of soup in one hand and a delicate designer dessert box in the other.

Seeing her, he offered a handsome smile.

"Clara."

Clara froze.

Instantly, her expression hardened into a mask of ice.

She turned her head away, pretending to organize some papers on her desk.

"What are you doing here?"

She was absolutely certain he was going to spend the entire night fawning over Seraphina.