They were everywhere-at galas, charity events, exclusive parties in the city's most elite circles. Every

no makeup, projecting an aura of pure, natural innocence. The media ate it up, calling her a breath

ry whim. When she casually mentioned she liked a particu

an nearly ruined the woman's family business overnight. Th

illion dollars to stop a construction project becau

villa that was once her home. Each news story, each pictu

e once felt for him was slowly, painfully dying, replaced by a cold,

she had to see him one last time. She went to the private hospital where he was being kept, t

ion. "It's me, Scarlett. I'm so sorry. I couldn't

him everything-about Julian's cruelty,

an't stay here anymore. It's not safe. But I promise you, I

She closed her bank accounts, canceled her phone number, and contacted

all meaningless trinkets now. She even signed over the deed t

llection of seashells from their first vacation, a cheap stuffed animal he won for her at a ca

by one. She watched as the flames consumed their past, the smoke carrying a

up. She turned, and her heart stopped. Julian and Bet

in the scene-the fire, her tear-stained face. He d

the house. "The Thorne family emerald. It's a family heirloom, meant for the mat

ece of Thorne family jewelry he had ever given her, a symbol of her accept

she lied, her voice

Oh, don't be like that, Scarlett. It's just a neckl

gaze fixed on Julian. "I

ked. She was holding her wrist, a beautiful jade br

lling up in her eyes. "You pushed

ewildered. She hadn't mov

bout?" Scarlett asked.

tt. "You were angry, and you shoved me!" She turned to Julian,

ent later holding a thin, flexible rattan cane. It was the cane his grandfather us

he said, his voice dangerously low.

p like iron. "You hurt Beth

remembered him once telling her, his voice full of love and prot

a scream from her throat. He didn't stop. The cane came down again and again, each strike a fresh wa

ised to love her forever, and saw nothing but cold, merciless rage.

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