Chapter 4

Serena's POV

My hoarse voice was full of trembling.

"Julian, can't you see how I am?"

I pointed to my neck wrapped in gauze. The doctor had applied cold compresses to relieve the torn vocal cords.

My throat was ruined. As a main vocalist, my career was practically destroyed by his own hands.

But Julian fell silent for a moment, still speaking ruthlessly.

"The doctor said you'll recover as long as you rest for a few months. But Chloe's debut press conference is next week; she can't wait!"

"What if I say no?"

I had no more tears left to shed.

"Are you going to lock me in the recording studio again and make me sing until my voice is completely ruined?!"

Julian closed his eyes.

"Serena, bear with it. Once Chloe successfully debuts, and once I've repaid her for saving my life, we'll be just like before."

He seemed to be making a promise, then placed a "Copyright Transfer Agreement" on the bedside table, his attitude returning to calm.

"Remember, if you don't sign, the resources for those sisters in your group will all be cut off tomorrow. That songbook filled with your original hard work will just be your apology to Chloe."

The guest room door slammed shut with a "bang".

Several bodyguards dutifully stood by the bed.

"Madam, don't delay. Mr. Sterling said you must sign this agreement and hand over the songbook."

That night, I was forced by the bodyguards and didn't sleep a wink.

My fingers trembling, I signed my name on the agreement, watching the bodyguards take away the original songbook I treasured like gold, my heart aching as if cut by a knife.

Finally, at dawn, Chloe's satisfied chuckle came from the master bedroom.

"Julian, these songs are written so well. The moment I sang them, I felt they fit my voice perfectly."

Julian responded to her gently.

"That's great, be good, practice a bit more, I'll stay with you."

I curled up little by little in the corner of the bed, listening to the songs I wrote for my brother being trampled on recklessly by my enemy, my eyes stinging so much I wanted to laugh.

Once, when I was stuck writing songs and stayed up late, Julian would feel pained and blame himself for a long time, canceling all work to accompany me in finding inspiration.

Now, he could actually use my painstakingly created work to make another woman happy.

Julian, oh Julian, you actually said we'd be like before?

How could it be the same?

My love for you has clearly been used up...

The next day, Chloe was in a great mood because she got the excellent songs, pulling Julian out to relax.

I only found out they went to Paris to watch a fashion show through her daily updates shared online.

The photo showed the night view of the Eiffel Tower, with Chloe being tightly held by the man's slender fingers. The caption read.

"The tenth year of liking you, wishes come true..."

I stared at the photo, my heart so empty it felt like wind was blowing through it, yet unexpectedly, I no longer felt pain.

I silently took off the wedding ring on my ring finger, then went to the walk-in closet, cut up all the haute couture dresses Julian had ever given me, and threw them into the trash can.

After doing this, I turned on the computer, logged into the Ins account full of malicious comments, set a scheduled post for a month later, and wrote.

"When this letter is posted, I will probably already be gone..."

I wrote that planned "suicide note" for a very, very long time.

Just as I typed the final period, the sound of a car parking suddenly rang out in the yard. Julian rushed into the villa with hurried steps.

"Why did you destroy those dresses, Serena? Didn't you like them the most? I personally flew to Milan to have them custom-made for you back then."

For some reason, his face was a bit pale, and a barely noticeable trace of panic showed in the depths of his eyes.

I looked at him calmly, didn't ask anything, and just snapped the laptop shut.

"They're dirty. I'll wear something else from now on."

Hearing me mention "from now on," Julian finally suppressed that bout of unease.

"Alright, I'll buy you new ones from now on."

The night Julian returned, there was a top-tier charity gala in our circle that required my attendance with him.

In the evening, before the Rolls-Royce headed to the banquet venue, it made a trip to the styling salon first.

Julian got out of the car to pick her up personally. Chloe was wearing a current-season haute couture dress worth millions and a rare pink diamond necklace, yet she stood there motionless.

The man awkwardly opened the rear door.

"Serena, you see..."

But before he could finish speaking, I silently got out of the car and directly sat in the passenger seat next to the driver.