Chapter 13
552words
We set the date for just a month later—a small, intimate ceremony at a beautifully restored historic estate outside Chicago, with only our closest circle invited.
By the time Julian sorted out his business and rushed back to Chicago, it was our wedding day.
Thank God Ethan had the foresight to hire top-notch security. Before Julian could crash the ceremony, they intercepted him—polite but unmovable.
Julian didn't manage to corner me until the following day.
After what was clearly a sleepless night, he looked wrecked—bloodshot eyes, haggard face. His voice was a ragged whisper:
"Clara, why couldn't you wait for me?"
"What does Ethan Cole have that makes you love him so damn much?"
Where to even begin with Ethan's qualities?
When I need him, he's there. Period. Even if he's halfway around the world, he'll catch the first flight back.
When I'm down, he'll do absolutely anything to make me smile—even if it means squeezing into a ridiculous costume and dancing like a fool.
Every anniversary is an event he plans for weeks—thoughtful gifts, perfect dates, memories that last a lifetime.
When I'm sick, he's worse than any mother hen—staying up all night to check my temperature, making sure I take my medicine, holding my hair back if I need to throw up.
When I mention wanting to travel, he rearranges his entire schedule and plans every detail so I don't have to lift a finger.
He never talks down to me, never mocks my ideas, never makes me feel small.
I could win a silly phone game and he'd look at me with genuine pride: "That's my brilliant wife."
The love, respect, and support Ethan gives me are things you never even came close to offering. All you ever gave me was tears and heartbreak.
Now Julian had the nerve to plead:
"I know I failed you as a husband. I know I hurt you."
"But I can change. Everything Ethan does for you—I can do it too."
"I swear on my life, if I ever make you cry again, may I die a painful death."
I shrugged, completely unmoved.
"Save it. I don't love you anymore, so I don't need your love either."
"Julian, just go. Stop this pathetic clinging. It's embarrassing for both of us."
I wanted him gone from my life for good.
But after a moment of silence, he bit his lip with sudden determination:
"You don't have to leave Ethan. I don't need any official status."
"I'm not greedy. Just give me two days a week. That's all I ask."
I was so stunned I couldn't speak. It took me half a minute to process that Julian Vance—THE Julian Vance—was offering to be my side piece.
The arrogant, untouchable Julian Vance, willing to debase himself as someone's dirty secret.
But his desperate offer didn't tempt me in the slightest.
"Forget two days. I don't want to spend a single second with you. Got it?"
"Besides, Ethan owns my heart completely. I'd never do anything to hurt him."
Julian's face crumpled like I'd physically struck him. He looked like a kicked puppy left in the rain, his eyes pools of raw, unfiltered grief.
