Chapter 3

When I got home, I booked my flight and packed only my essentials.

Then, I went through the house and took down all thirty-six clocks he had installed to keep time. One by one, I took out their batteries.

Along with them, I threw out all the restrictive outfits and accessories he had mandated.

I would never need those torture devices designed to make me his "perfect girlfriend" again.

Zipping up my suitcase, I let out a long breath.

Just as I was about to call Julian to end things, my phone rang.

"Hi, is this Julian Sterling? I've got your DoorDash order with the hangover cure here at Building 3, Apartment 501. The security guard won't let me up. Can you come down?"

My heart stopped. A cold wave of suspicion washed over me.

Apartment 501 was the dream townhouse Julian and I had bought seven years ago.

But due to his perfectionism, he insisted we couldn't move in until we successfully completed our wedding.

So for seven years, we lived in a cramped rented apartment, promising to respect the boundary of our future home.

When I drove over, the front door was slightly ajar.

Through the crack, a woman's giggling voice drifted out. "It's all your fault for giving Ellie a deduction. You scared her away before we could even take a photo together!"

The sound of playful kicking echoed, followed by Julian's fond chuckle. "You little drunkard."

"Fine, fine, it's my fault. I won't deduct points for her missing the photo session, okay?"

He gently caught her flailing foot, rubbing it softly.

The tenderness in his eyes was almost overflowing.

So, he did know how to take care of someone.

But when I got drunk once and merely leaned against his shoulder, he locked me out of our rented apartment.

He told me to sober up outside and stop acting hysterical.

In ten-degree weather, I froze until my bones ached. I never dared to touch alcohol again.

Yet here he was, breaking his own sacred boundary, bringing a drunk Serena into our future home.

He let her run wild, turning the pristine living room into a mess.

I pushed the door open. Julian looked up.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but it quickly turned into irritation when he saw the DoorDash bag in my hand.

"Rule Number Three of the Perfect Girlfriend Rulebook: Respect privacy boundaries before marriage."

"Checking up on my deliveries. Ten-point deduction."

No explanation. Just blame.

A wave of absurdity washed over me. I felt incredibly exhausted.

Talking to him was like shouting into a void.

"Julian, let's break..."

Before I could finish, a heavily intoxicated Serena suddenly stumbled over.

"No deducting points from Ellie!"

She pushed Julian aside and grabbed my hand tightly.

"Ellie, my BFF! You didn't take a photo with me today. Are you mad at me?"

"I didn't mean to steal your wedding. Here, I'll give the ring back to you. Let's make up!"

She yanked the wedding ring off her finger, but her drunken hands couldn't align with mine.

The heavy stench of alcohol hit my face. Annoyed, I tried to pull my hand back.

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced my finger.

Julian violently shoved me away, grabbing Serena's hand.

He looked at me as if I were a monster.

"Ellie, are you insane?!"

The cry of pain caught in my throat, choking me.

He kicked the blood-stained ring far across the room, lifted Serena onto the couch, and frantically ripped open the first-aid kit.

The blood on Serena's finger had come from me. It could have been wiped away with a single swipe.

Yet, he wrapped her finger in five thick layers of gauze.

Then, as if remembering something, he scooped Serena up in his arms and rushed toward the door.

"I'm taking Serena to get a tetanus shot. Go back to the apartment and think about what you did!"

"Until she forgives you, the wedding is postponed indefinitely!"

He slammed the door and ran. The rushing wind blew away my quiet whisper.

"Julian... the one who got hurt was me."