Chapter 4
It wasn’t until Julian got a girlfriend that our joke finally stopped.
At the same time, I began to distance myself from Julian.
When I was eighteen, my brother bought me a house across from Julian’s. I was about to move in when Julian suddenly broke up with his girlfriend.
His close friend told me Jennie had taken money from Julian’s mother to study abroad, leaving him behind.
Julian was devastated and drank heavily.
When he came back drunk, he pressed me against the wall and kissed me fiercely until tears came from the corners of my
eyes.
It was the first time he had crossed a line with me in six years.
From that day on, he drowned himself in
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alcohol daily.
((
Until late one night, Julian looked at me and smiled drunkenly.
“Wanda, will you be my girlfriend?”
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I stared into his eyes, hesitating for a long time before asking, “If I become your girlfriend, will you stop being so sad?”
He nodded vigorously, then pulled me into a hug. “Yes, if you become my girlfriend, I would be so, so happy!”
“Okay, then I’ll be your girlfriend from now on,” I said.
The moment the words left my mouth,
tears streamed down my face.
I knew I did.
What his confession meant at this moment and what my impulsive agreement
signified.
But did it matter?
I just wanted Julian to be happy.
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He had protected me for six years; it was all I could do for him!
Eight years of dreams had finally ended and I knew I should leave gracefully.
But as darkness fell, Julian still hadn’t returned
Lowering my gaze, I unlocked my phone, booked a ticket for tomorrow and sent the flight information to my brother.
Just as I was about to leave and return to the house across the street, I received a location pin from Julian.
It was the spot where he’d thrown me a birthday party once.
Perfect. It felt right to end things there, to give closure to all that had been.
I arrived dressed to impress.
To my surprise, the venue was packed. Julian held Jennie’s hand on the stage, announcing their engagement.
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They laughed so happily like they were made for each other.
I froze where I stood. It was already too late when I came to my senses and wanted to leave.
Jennie called my name, her smile bright as she pulled a visibly uncomfortable Julian towards me.
“Are you Wanda? Julian’s talked about you a bunch. We totally look alike, huh? Nice to meet you!”
She extended her hand gracefully towards
- me.
I took a deep breath, forcing a smile as I
reached to shake her hand.
Just as our fingers were about to meet, she abruptly withdrew her hand.
The next moment, a loud slap echoed across the banquet hall.
My face was whipped to the side.
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Julian moved slightly, but in the next moment, he retreated.
“How dare you show your face here? Is eight years of clinging to Julian not enough? You had to cause a scene at my birthday party too? Do you think I’m such a pushover that I’ll tolerate you endlessly?”
Jennie’s cold, furious voice cut through the now–silent room. Her words stirred a wave of whispers in the crowd.
Blinking away the sting in my eyes, I glanced up at her. “I’ve never clung to Julian.”
Not then and certainly not now.
Daniel stepped in, pulling me behind him. His gaze was stern as he turned to Jennie.
“Jennie, you seem to have things twisted. Wanda is only Julian’s little sister.”
“That’s right, Jennie. Julian’s been like a brother to her all these years. He wouldn’t
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Chapter 4
have waited eight years for you if he
wanted her.”
As Daniel supported him, Julian’s buddies also rallied around.
It’s a pity that all this only resulted in Jennie’s smirking cold snort.
