During those seven days of hell, even when I felt like I was breaking, I never thought about dying.

Because April was waiting for me at home.

But now, Julian was using April to threaten me.

A deep, icy chill went through my veins.

The last flicker of hope I had for him died completely.

My lips trembled. "I'll apologize to her."

The car stopped in front of a high-end club.

He dragged me by the arm into a private room. Inside, men and women crowded around Aurora Reed, who looked like a little princess.

Seeing me, everyone reacted differently.

Aurora walked over and took my hand. She blinked, and tears instantly welled up and fell.

"It's all my fault," she sobbed. "If I wasn't so weak, Julian wouldn't have had to trade you to save me."

"I told him not to do that to you, but he wouldn't listen."

"Olivia, you don't blame me, do you?"

I looked at her and said nothing.

I'd heard these words a hundred times.

She was the same as always, acting helpless while her eyes gleamed with triumph.

"Remember, you're here to apologize to Aurora," Julian reminded me, his voice icy.

Aurora gave him a playful look. "Julian, don't be so mean."

Julian's voice instantly softened. "Little scaredy-cat," he murmured, pulling her close. "Did I scare you?"

They talked back and forth, sounding more like a loving couple than Julian and I ever had.

"Oh dear, I almost forgot Olivia was here," Aurora said, covering her mouth. "It's all your fault, Julian."

Julian turned to me, his eyes immediately cold again. "Cat got your tongue? You were so talkative a minute ago."

Aurora tugged on his sleeve. "Julian, it's okay if she doesn't want to."

I looked at her expressionlessly. "My apologies," I said flatly. "I just barely survived yesterday and missed your important birthday party."

As soon as I finished, Aurora's tears started again. "It's my fault. I don't blame Olivia for hating me. If I'd known this would happen, I wish he hadn't saved me. I wish I'd died there."

"Don't say that," Julian said softly, pulling her into a hug and comforting her.

He turned back to me, his face hard. "Is that your idea of an apology, Olivia? Can't you be a little nicer?"

My voice was flat. "So, do you want me to kneel?"

"You—"

Julian was speechless.

Someone watching the scene spoke up. "Kneel? Nonsense! Come, have a drink. Let bygones be bygones."

A glass of hard liquor was pushed into my hand.

I looked at Julian, my eyes asking a question.

Julian's face was cold. "Do I need to teach you how to drink?"

I took the glass and drained it in one gulp.

The burning liquid felt like blades slicing my throat. My stomach felt like it was being devoured by insects. A cold sweat broke out on my back.

I fought hard to control the pain.

"Now," I said, my voice strained. "Give me April back."

"April?" Aurora said, looking confused. "That little cat?"

"She was so cute a few days ago, so Julian gave her to me."

I pressed a hand to my stomach, the pain searing. I squeezed the words out through clenched teeth. "Give her back to me."

A look of fake regret appeared in her beautiful eyes. She pulled out her phone and held the screen up to my face.

"I'm so sorry, Olivia. This cat was just too naughty. I don't know what she was doing, but she got tangled in a rope and... well, she hanged herself."

I stared blankly at the image on the screen.

Our little white kitten was bound tightly by a rope as thick as my finger, hanging from a balcony railing.

"It's just a cat," Julian's cold voice said. "I'll buy you another one later. Why make that face?"

I let out a short, sharp laugh.

Suddenly, I coughed, and a mouthful of blood surged up, staining my white dress red.

Julian, you truly are utterly ruthless.

Didn't you see? That rope knot was clearly tied by human hands.

But you still chose to protect her.

I grabbed Julian's shirt collar, my eyes burning red.

"Julian Vance," I whispered, my voice raw with pain.

"You killed both of them..."