As he looked at her reddened eyes,Tom furrowed his brow slightly and continued,"Rest assured,the position of Mrs.Wellington has always been yours.But since Stacy came to me without name or status,I must ultimately provide her and the child with some security.”
“When we established the company,I gave you a twenty percent stake.Now,transfer those shares to Stacy and her child.”
"Don't worry.This is just a form of security for them.I’ll allocate your share of the company’s annual dividends from my own portion.Besides,we’re family—there’s no need to be so strict about money matters.”
Julie did not know whether she should cry or laugh hearing his words.He had promised she would be Mrs.Wellington for life,yet…he reserved his love and money for Stacy and her child.
People always said that where a man’s love was,his money followed.But she had neither.
She had bet everything on love—and lost completely.
Then to everyone's surprise,Julie agreed once more.
“Fine.Where's the contract?I'll sign it.”
They didn't know she'd already arranged to withdraw her investments.In a month,Wellington Group would face bankruptcy.Whoever held the company shares would bear the heaviest losses.
Since they were divorced anyway,she would consider this her parting gift to Tom.
Seeing Julie being too agreeable today,Tom felt he was losing control and he did not like this feeling.
"Stacy is pregnant.I can't rest easy with her staying elsewhere.She'll be moving in here."
Julie agreed nonchalantly."Whatever."
Once,he had promised that if she ever carried his child,he would dote on her like a princess.
Julie gently touched her slightly rounded belly and murmured,“Baby,just wait a little longer.Once we have the divorce papers,Mommy will take you away.”
That night,Julie did not sleep well.She dreamt of countless memories with Tom.
When he pursued her,he was just a penniless young man.He had to skip meals to save money to buy her a single rose.
The first time she received a rose from him,Julie didn't think much of it.She'd smiled and told him,"Take care of your own life first.”
The second time,Tom worked extra jobs over the weekend to earn fifty dollars.He spent forty-nine dollars on a bouquet of roses,his eyes brimming with sincerity.“I'm living well,but I also want to pursue my true love.”
Julie smiled and found him interesting,but he did not take his seriously.
But Tom never gave up.Rain or shine,the roses arrived every day,more punctual than meals.
Having grown accustomed to the filth and chaos of high society—where marriages were often arranged for profit—Tom resembled a ray of light in the darkness,reigniting her belief in love.
Later,she betrayed her family to be with him,believing she had won all of a man’s love.
But she did not know when the love between them changed.
Julie did not know whether the love had changed or if Tom had simply worn his mask too well.But she was tired and didn't want to dig into it.
Since she couldn't solve the problem,she might as well deal with the person.
The next morning,Julie was roused by the commotion of the servant moving her things.
The love letters Tom had once written her were tossed into the trash.
The dried roses he’d arranged were crushed and trampled underfoot.
Everything in the house connected to them was being systematically erased,bit by bit....
Julie sat up abruptly and snapped,“Who gave you permission to touch my things?"
The servants exchanged bewildered glances.Stacy emerged from behind them with a smug smile on her face.
"Ma'am.Tom said that since I'm pregnant,I need a larger room.I thought yours would be perfect,so I had the staff help you pack.”
Julie did not mince her words."Are you packing or throwing them away?"
Stacy sneered,placing a hand on her hip as she stepped forward,taunting,“So what if I'm throwing your things away?If I want to,I could throw you out too!”
Before the words even finished,Julie raised her hand and slapped her hard.
“Stacy,the only reason I haven’t dealt with you is that you’re not worth it.But if you dare act like this in front of me again,I’ll slap you every time I see you!”
“This villa is registered under my name.Not even Tom has the right to kick me out,let alone you.”
"If you have any brain,behave yourself.If you don't want a peaceful life,I have plenty of ways to deal with you.”
“Don't think being linked to Tom gives you the right to strut around in front of me.Half of his success today is thanks to me.A mistress who's climbed her way up and still acts so arrogant—I really don't know what he sees in you.”
The words had barely left her mouth when a cold,thin male voice echoed from behind her.“Julie,do you know why I fell for Stacy?Well,it's because I absolutely detest this haughty attitude of yours.”
