Chapter 8

Nathan froze. He stared at Bianca and asked in disbelief, "Bianca, what do you mean?" "Please don't misunderstand. You're a charming man, but I would never betray my sister." She released a soft sigh. "And my heart already belongs to Jules. I love him and will not divorce him." Her gaze grew gentle. "Yes, he's acted recklessly lately and did things he should never have done. But he did it because he loves me. I think… he must have sensed something, became jealous, and lost control." She paused, then smiled unexpectedly. There was a touch of pride in that smile—one of satisfaction as Julian loved her to that extent. "Nathan, I made it clear from the start. This surrogacy would not cause any attachments and entanglements. It was about giving my sister a child," she said softly. "I hope that when the baby is born, you'll treat him as your child with my sister—not ours. "When the baby is born, I'll leave the Prescotts' fortune to you and the child. I will move out together with Jules. That way, he won't hurt you again out of jealousy." Just outside the hospital room, Julian, who had just woken up, was passing by this exact ward. He had overheard everything. He could not help but laugh. How noble and selfless of her. Bianca made herself sound so righteous for leaving her family's entire wealth to Nathan, leaving Julian with nothing but her cheap love. Julian gave up on her completely at this moment. He turned and walked away without looking back. "Bianca Prescott, keep your worthless love. I do not care for it." … When Julian got home, he began to pack. For years, he treasured every gift Bianca had ever given him. The first bouquet of roses she gave him? He dried them and pressed them into a bookmark. Their first movie tickets? He had carefully glued them into a handmade journal. Every thoughtful little present she gave him filled the house to the brim. They were all memories of their relationship. Once, these items meant everything to him. Now, he could not stand the sight of them. He dragged them out into the backyard and set them all on fire. Then, he turned to the peach tree in the backyard. They had planted it together the day they got married. Peach blossoms symbolized love. Bianca had once hoped that their love would bloom as beautifully as the tree would. Julian stared at the tree for a moment, then picked up an axe and chopped the tree down without hesitation. He later set it ablaze. After everything was done, he pulled out the divorce papers he had prepared long ago and placed them gently on the vanity in their bedroom. After a moment's thought, he picked up a pen and left her a note. "Goodbye, Bianca. "Do not come looking for me. I never want to see you again. Whatever fate we once shared ends here. Let's not meet again." He set the note on the vanity, then picked up his suitcase and left. He boarded the first flight out of the country. Julian never looked back. This land had never loved him, and it was not worth returning to. … Meanwhile, after making sure Nathan was settled in, Bianca headed to Julian's ward to check on him. However, it was eerily empty. "The patient has already been discharged," the nurse said brightly. "You must be his sister-in-law, right? You and your husband are such a loving couple!" The nurse giggled. "Everyone here's been talking about it. You didn't eat or sleep for two days while your husband was unconscious!" They all thought Bianca and Nathan were married, and that Julian was just the brother-in-law. Bianca's brow furrowed slightly, but she did not bother correcting her. Instead, she simply asked, "When was he discharged?" "This morning," the nurse replied. Bianca nodded and left. She did not think much about it and drove home. There were things she needed to talk to Julian about, after all. But when she got back, all she saw was the axed peach tree and an empty bedroom. On the vanity, there sat a note and divorce papers.