Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 46

He could take the dress.

And he could take himself right out of her life.

Julian was momentarily stunned.

It was the answer he had technically wanted, but for some inexplicable reason, he felt no relief.

Watching the woman forcefully shove the massive garment bag into his chest.

A sharp ache blossomed in his sternum.

He opened his mouth, desperate to say something to fix the sudden chasm between them...

But Clara beat him to it.

"Actually, since we're exchanging things, I have a gift for you, too."

Stepping back, she yanked open a drawer, pulled out The Departure Dossier she had painstakingly packed inside the ribbon-tied gift box, and shoved it toward him.

With a chillingly calm smile, she added, "Make sure you open it later."

Julian stared at her beautifully forced smile, then looked down at the pristine box resting in his hands. It was trimmed with blue lace and adorned with an intricate bow, radiating a thoughtful, feminine touch.

His Adam's apple bobbed as an overwhelming wave of guilt crashed over him.

She had spent her evening carefully preparing a heartfelt gift for him, and he had repaid her by bullying her into giving up her dress...

"Clara..." He desperately wanted to backtrack.

But at that exact moment.

A loud crash echoed from downstairs, sounding like someone had violently tripped and fallen.

Julian's brow furrowed, his head instantly whipping toward the bedroom door in sheer panic.

Clara read the unfiltered terror in his eyes clearly.

Swallowing the bile rising in her throat, she flashed a sickeningly sweet, understanding smile.

"I have a mountain of work to finish anyway. If there's nothing else, you can leave now."

Julian hesitated, looking back at her.

His mind was clearly entirely consumed with Seraphina's safety, his handsome brow pulled into a tight knot.

After a few agonizing seconds, he muttered, "Get your work done. You don't need to wait up for me tonight... I have some business to handle in the study."

He reached out and gave her hair a fleeting, distracted pat.

"Once this crazy week is over, I promise I'll make it all up to you. I know I've been unfair these past few days."

And with that, he was gone.

Clara's fake smile remained glued to her face as the heavy oak door clicked shut. Only then did the facade shatter.

Make it up to her? In a few days, she would be nothing but a ghost in this house. Who exactly was he planning to compensate?

A humorless smirk twisted her lips.

However, as her gaze swept across the room, the raw sting of tears finally breached her defenses.

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