Chapter 3

Late at night, a heavy storm raged outside.

The wind violently slapped sheets of rain against the floor-to-ceiling windows of the villa, making an eerie, pounding sound.

I sat in the pitch-black living room, refusing to turn on the lights.

Next to my feet were two packed suitcases.

At 2:00 AM, the electronic lock on the front door clicked open.

Julian walked in, smelling of rain and expensive cologne.

He casually loosened his tie and flicked on the living room lights.

The sudden brightness made me squint. He saw me sitting on the couch, and then his eyes landed on the suitcases.

His movements paused, and his brow instantly furrowed. His voice was filled with irritation.

"Selena, what kind of drama are you pulling now?"

"I already explained the auction to you. Chloe is just a rookie. What’s wrong with me helping her out? You're the veteran here. Did you really have to embarrass me in front of everyone tonight?"

As he spoke, he poured himself a glass of whiskey at the bar.

He sounded so righteous, as if I were the one who had committed a crime.

I looked at him—this man I once thought I would grow old with.

"Explain?" I let out a cold laugh and threw the "Project: Eclipse" documents directly at his face.

The sharp edge of the paper sliced across his cheek, leaving a thin red line.

The sheets scattered all over the floor.

Julian looked down, and when he realized what the papers were, his pupils shrunk.

He snapped his head up, his mask of calm sophistication finally cracking.

"You went through my things?" he growled.

"If I hadn't, how would I have known that my boyfriend of seven years was planning to ruin my life for a girl he met six months ago?"

I stood up, walking toward him step by step.

"Julian, did you think I was an idiot? Did you think I would let you ruin me and thank you for it?"

Julian's throat moved as he swallowed hard, a flash of panic in his eyes.

But he quickly forced himself to look calm, even reaching out to grab my hand.

"Selena, let me explain. This plan... it’s just a standard business strategy from the agency. You’re already at the top. You don't need these resources anymore. But Chloe is different. She’s fragile. She needs protection."

"Fragile?" I slapped his hand away, my eyes as cold as ice.

"She’s fragile, so you stole my global luxury cosmetics contract and gave it to her?"

"She’s fragile, so you paid tabloids to spread rumors that I was a diva on set, just to make her look sweet and hardworking?"

"Julian, you're not protecting her. You're trying to destroy me!"

Julian’s face went completely dark. His controlling ego was triggered.

"Selena, don't be ungrateful! Everything you have right now—which part of it didn't come from me? Without me, do you think you’d be where you are today?"

He pointed a finger at me, his words cutting like knives.

I looked at him, feeling a deep, hollow sadness.

"Julian, have you forgotten? Years ago, you were the one kneeling in the snow outside a director's office, begging for a five-minute audition. I was the one who used my own salary to buy you a supporting role!"

"When you were framed in that media scandal and almost canceled, I was the one who used every single connection I had, begging people face-to-face to save your career!"

"I made you who you are, and now you have the nerve to say you gave me everything?"

I grabbed the whiskey glass from the bar and smashed it onto the floor.

With a loud shatter, glass flew everywhere, and the amber liquid spilled across the floor—just like our broken seven years.

Julian was stunned by my anger and took a step back.

"You're crazy, Selena. You're completely out of your mind."

He took a deep breath, returning to his cold, arrogant tone.

"Fine. Since you’ve seen it, I have nothing to hide. Let’s take some space. You need to calm down. As for the contracts, I’ll compensate you."

"Compensate?" I grabbed the handle of my suitcase, my back straight, looking like a queen going to war.

"Julian, keep your disgusting charity to yourself. As of tonight, we are done."

"You better pray your little rookie can stay hidden under your wing forever. Because if she flies out, I will show both of you what happens when you cross me."

Dragging my suitcases, I walked straight out into the pouring rain.

Behind me, Julian’s furious roar echoed through the storm: "Selena! If you walk out that door, don't ever think about coming back! Let's see how long you can last in this town without me!"

I didn't look back.

The freezing rain drenched my face, but it couldn't put out the fire of revenge burning in my chest.

"How long can I last?"

"Julian, I will outlast both of you."

"I will stand at the absolute top and watch you slide into the mud."