The Heart I Kept Chapter 2

When I woke up, I was alone in the hospital.

The bag containing the diagnosis had not even been opened.

I slowly got up and thanked the nurse for treating my wounds.

"The gentleman who brought you here did it for you."

The nurse looked at me in surprise.

Julian...

When Claire was sick, he would stay up all night with her, but he had never done this for me.

Does this mean he cares about me, even just a little bit?

My phone rang; it was the bakery owner reminding me that the cake I ordered for Julian days ago was ready.

I remembered today was his twenty-seventh birthday.

Ten years ago, I met him for the first time.

My parents were employees of the Thorne family and died in a work accident.

Old Mr. Thorne felt sorry for me and adopted me.

Back then, I couldn't sleep at night, crying constantly. It was Julian who knocked on my door and fed me ice cream.

He used to be very good to me, until he realized I liked him, then he became suddenly cold.

"Being liked by someone poor and lowly like you is a humiliation to me."

He told me bluntly that we were not from the same world, not to mistake pity for love.

The next day, he brought Claire back.

I pulled myself out of the memories, exhausted, and went to pick up the cake.

This might be the last birthday I spend with him. No matter what, I hope he is happy.

Julian's birthday party was lively; all his friends were there.

Standing at the door, I heard them teasing.

"The bootlicker didn't show up this year. Did she finally give up?"

Another person sneered.

"Wen? She's more loyal than a dog. Ten years, and we can't drive her away."

Julian let them talk about me.

Then I felt my blood run cold as I heard Julian's voice.

"Ten years ago we made a bet, to see how long she'd last with my cold treatment. Turns out she's still here today."

The room filled with their laughter.

As I turned to leave, Claire spotted me.

Her playful gaze landed on me.

"You're here, why not come in? Finally realized you're not worthy?"

My tears hadn't dried yet as I looked at her.

"At least I'm not vicious."

Despite saying that, I uncomfortably hid the hand holding the cake behind my back.

The ten-layer cake Claire ordered for him was too expensive, making mine look laughable.

"Sister-in-law is here!"

As Claire walked ahead, everyone stood up.

Julian frowned and scolded everyone not to talk nonsense, but let Claire sit beside him.

"Brother Julian is still hiding it from us, but Auntie already told us about the engagement between you and Sister-in-law."

Everyone's eyes drifted over me casually.

I straightened my back, raised my glass, smiling more painfully than crying.

"Then congratulations to you both."

I downed the drink in one gulp.

"Are you crazy?"

Julian grabbed my hand, looking tense.

So he remembered I was allergic to alcohol.

But last time I had a conflict with Claire, he forced me to drink as an apology until I got alcohol poisoning.

His bad treatment always outweighed the good, making me feel that even death was a relief.

"Julian."

Claire called him softly. Julian turned around quickly, no longer paying any attention to me.

After the cake, everyone clamored for Julian to open gifts.

His friends were all rich heirs; I was out of place among them.

When he opened mine, Julian's gaze grew serious.

It was a jade bracelet. Not the best quality, but it was the only relic my mother left me.

I once told Julian that if I were to die, I would give him the bracelet.

"What are you playing at? Faking illness, playing hard to get, I really underestimated your tactics."

He suddenly flew into a rage.

Yes, in his eyes, I was just faking it.

I wiped my tears.

"I won't be able to stay by your side anymore. I wish you and Claire happiness forever."

Even if the future no longer includes me.

Julian turned away suppressing his anger, as if looking at me dirtied his eyes.

"Don't be angry."

Claire tugged at his sleeve and held out her hand.

"I think the bracelet is very beautiful. Can I have it?"

Julian lowered his head and put it on her. Claire gave me a provocative smile.

She mouthed three words to me—

"You're not worthy."

Sitting in the corner, my love for Julian shattered piece by piece in that moment.

My phone rang.

It was an email from Cole.

"Wen, I opened a music studio in the States. Would you consider being my partner?"

My hands trembled slightly.

"What are you looking at?"

Perhaps noticing my odd behavior, Julian leaned over to look at my phone screen.

I quickly switched screens.

His eyes darkened, and then, he saw my Taobao shopping cart.

Inside lay an expensive ring, dazzlingly bright.

"Stop pretending. Saying you bless Claire and me, but in your heart, you're still delusional about marrying me."

His lips curled into a mocking arc.

Everyone around laughed, saying I was daydreaming, a toad wanting to eat swan meat.

Expressionless, I turned off my phone screen.

"Whatever you say."

I didn't care anymore.