Chapter 11/
“She has my initials tattooed on her chest. That proves she still loves me!“}
“Arielle, as long as you come back to me, I promise I’ll earn more money, spoil you with gifts on every anniversary, and I swear–what happened before will never happen again!“}
Sebastian’s eyes darkened with chilling intensity. His anger surged beneath the surface like a rising storm.}
I quickly stepped in front of him and placed a calming hand on his arm.}
“Hubby, don’t waste your energy. Let me deal with him.”
He looked reluctant but relented, taking a step back.”
Julian, completely misreading the situation, lit up with hope and smiled with relief.”
“Arielle, I knew it! You still care about me. You couldn’t bear to see me hurt.”>
I frowned, my voice sharp and steady.}
“Julian, don’t flatter yourself. I just didn’t want my husband to get into trouble because of trash like you.”
“And one more thing–do you really believe I divorced you and married someone else just because I was angry? Have you forgotten the vile words you whispered to Vanessa while in bed with her at the hotel?”
He froze, caught off guard, his expression confused. Clearly, he didn’t remember.}
“Fine. Then let me remind you.”
“You said I was a greedy woman who faked innocence. That I only accepted your love because I found out about your identity and wanted to suck you dry like a leech. That I was disgusting.“}
“But here’s the truth–Julian, I didn’t even know your real identity until after we were married. So who was faking what?“}
His cheeks flushed crimson with shame.
“Arielle… I’m sorry. I was tricked. Vanessa drugged me. She told me she’d already explained everything to you, and I–“>
I cut him off, my tone cold and final.
“Enough. Yes, she drugged you. But you said those cruel things with your own mouth.”>
“And worse, you didn’t even bother to ask me for the truth. You just believed her. That alone tells me everything I need to know.”
“You never trusted me, not once. And then you betrayed me. So how could you think I’d still love you after all that?“}
Tears welled up in his eyes. In desperation, he yanked open his shirt and revealed his chest.}
“Arielle, I know I messed up! But look–look what I’ve done. I washed off her tattoo and got yours instead. Doesn’t this prove how much I love you? You love me too, don’t you? Otherwise, why would you tattoo my initials on your chest?“}
I took a deep breath and sighed. The tattoo on his chest was a poorly drawn, rushed job. The lines were jagged, the skin around them red and raw. You could barely make out the design.
Helplessly, I unbuttoned two buttons on my blouse and calmly said:
“Julian, you misunderstood. The initials on my chest were never yours. They stand for my husband, Sebastian.“}
“When he found out I wanted a tattoo, he was worried I’d get hurt, so he suggested I only use the first two letters. But I didn’t want to leave it incomplete. So later, I had the full name done.”
I pulled the fabric slightly aside, revealing the elegant lettering. The original YZ” had been creatively transformed into the name “Sebastian,” full of artistry and style. It was delicate yet bold–just like the man himself.
“As for you and me, that relationship died the moment you betrayed me. It rotted like spoiled meat. No matter how much you try to dress it up, it can never go back.”
“And one more thing–I truly love my husband. Please don’t show up in my life again. I don’t owe you anything.”
Julian stood frozen, his expression hollow. A moment later, he turned and walked away, his figure gradually fading.
I thought that would be the last time I’d see him.
But a few days later, as I stepped out of the hotel with my suitcase, I saw him kneeling at the door in the early morning mist. His hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, and in his trembling hands were two plane tickets.
Seeing me, he leapt up and rushed forward.
“Arielle, I’ve been waiting for you! The Rose Manor is ready. I built it for you, filled it with roses just like you love. Let’s get married again. Let’s start over!“M
Before I could reply, his arms were suddenly twisted behind his back with a sickening crack.
Sebastian appeared beside me, face dark, voice cold.
“My wife hasn’t divorced me yet, and you want to remarry her? Are you even worthy?”
“Julian, allow me to remind you: that broken–down manor has already been mortgaged to pay your company’s debts. The Cross family is bankrupt.”
Julian’s veins bulged with frustration. He turned and yelled at me:!!
“Do you really think he loves you? He just destroyed my company to win your heart! But your heart still belongs to me!“}
“She has my initials tattooed on her chest–that’s proof!“}
I stared at him with a bitter smile.”
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7:23 AM
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I stared at nim with a Ditter smile.
“You really believe a tattoo equals love?”
He ignored me, continuing, “I’ll give you everything! I’ll work day and night just to give you a better life! Arielle, I’ll never make those mistakes again!“}
Sebastian’s eyes darkened with fury. He stepped forward, but I stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“Hubby, let me finish this.”
I turned to Julian, face calm.
“You think you can erase the past with promises. But love doesn’t work like that.”
“You want me back? Then answer this–why did you believe Vanessa over me? Why did you humiliate me with those balloons and condoms, then accuse me of being greedy?“}
“You assumed the worst of me, and that showed how little you respected or knew me. You don’t love me–you just can’t stand losing.“>
His lips trembled as he struggled to respond.”
I looked at his ruined tattoo again, blood oozing from the scabs.
“You and I are over. That love, if it ever existed, is long dead.”
Then I turned to Sebastian and smiled.}
He swept me into his arms without a word.
As we entered the hotel, I heard Julian’s voice behind us.
“She’ll never forgive you! She married you out of anger! You’re just a rebound!“}]
A few days later, they found Julian’s body in the sea.
He was clutching the same diamond ring he had bought before I filed for divorce.§
That night, I curled up beside Sebastian in bed.
He murmured in his sleep, “Arielle baby… I love you.”
I kissed his cheek softly and whispered,
“I love you, too.”
(End)
4
