His fingertips shook as he held Snowy tight.

"Oh, by the way," Xavier leaned down, whispering in his ear, "Your parents were short-lived losers too. They deserved to die early, having a jinx like you—"

"Get out!"

A solid punch landed squarely.

Xavier clutched his face and stumbled back, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Julian’s hand was still shaking, but his voice was as cold as ice. "Try saying another word about my parents."

"Julian!"

Scarlett’s voice came from behind, filled with fury.

She strode forward and grabbed his wrist. "Have you lost your mind?"

Julian looked up at her. Tears blurred his vision, but they couldn't hide the disgust in her eyes.

"It’s his fault..." he choked out. "He killed Snowy..."

Xavier immediately explained, looking at Scarlett with a wronged expression. "Scarlett, the cat scratched me. I just wanted to lock it up, but it jumped out on its own... Julian blamed me, so he hit me..."

Scarlett’s gaze turned freezing.

"A beast scratches a person because you didn't manage it properly, and you dare to lay a hand on someone?" Her voice was deathly cold. "No food for three days. Reflect on what you’ve done!"

Having said that, she took Xavier’s hand and turned to leave, not granting him even a final glance.

From the dining room came the sound of clattering cutlery.

Julian stood outside, and through the half-open door, he saw Scarlett meticulously peeling shrimp for Xavier.

Her slender fingers pinched the tail, gave it a gentle twist, and the shell came off perfectly.

She was just as patient as she had been when she first taught him how to eat shrimp.

"Try it." In his memory, she had smiled while placing the peeled shrimp into his bowl. "Whenever you want to eat them, I’ll peel them for you."

But now, the shrimp she peeled was placed on Xavier’s plate.

The sky suddenly began to rain.

Julian braved the downpour to dig a small hole in the backyard and gently placed the kitten inside.

"I’m sorry..." he sobbed, covering it with soil bit by bit. "I failed to protect you."

When he returned to the villa, he was soaked to the bone and utterly despondent.

Xavier walked over with a bowl of soup, saying hypocritically, "Julian, your aunt was just saying that; she didn't really mean you couldn't eat. Have some soup."

"No need." Julian avoided him.

"Just have a little."

Xavier forced the bowl toward him, but during the shoving, he suddenly let go—

"Ah!"

The scalding soup splashed onto Julian, instantly burning a large patch of his skin bright red.

Xavier, however, clutched his own hand and cried out, "Scarlett, I burned my hand!"

Scarlett rushed over at the sound and immediately saw the shocking red swelling on Julian’s arm.

Her pupils contracted sharply, and she instinctively moved forward—

"Scarlett..." Xavier spoke suddenly, holding up the slightly reddened back of his hand. "Look..."

Scarlett’s footsteps halted.

She looked at Julian’s pale face, then back at Xavier, her brow tightly knit.

Julian stood there, the stinging pain on his arm intense, yet it didn't compare to even a fraction of the ache in his heart.

He looked at Scarlett, watching the flicker of struggle in her eyes, as his heart sank slowly to the bottom.

"Don't be afraid." Finally, Scarlett took Xavier’s hand. "I’ll take you to the hospital."

As she turned to leave, she didn't even spare Julian a second glance.

Burning tears finally escaped his eyes. Julian watched their departing figures, his whole body trembling.

Returning to his room alone, the burn on Julian’s arm throbbed painfully.

Gritting his teeth, he applied medicine with shaking hands, tears dropping onto the wound one by one, yet he stubbornly refused to make a sound.

Once the medicine was on, he pulled out his suitcase and began packing.

Every item carried a memory—

The photo album from when Scarlett took him to the amusement park; the scarf she bought specifically for him during a business trip; the bookmark she made by hand...

The butler pushed the door open and, seeing this, quickly tried to persuade him. "Young Master, the President is just angry for a moment. Please don't hold a grudge against her..."

Julian shook his head and said softly, "I’m not holding a grudge."

"I’m preparing to leave."

A cold voice came from the doorway—

"Leave?" Scarlett stood there at some unknown point, her gaze sharp. "Where do you plan on going?"

Julian had not expected Scarlett to return.

He stood there, looking at her stern features, feeling as if an invisible hand were squeezing his heart.

"I have been too indulgent with you all these years," Scarlett’s voice was low, carrying an unquestionable authority. "It has allowed you to become this lawless. Now you even dare to use running away from home as a threat?"

Julian’s fingertips trembled slightly.

"I am not threatening you," he said softly, his voice hoarse beyond recognition. "It’s just that you have someone you love now, and you will get married in the future... It’s no longer appropriate for me to stay by your side."

Scarlett’s brow furrowed. She stared at him for a long time, seemingly surprised that such words would come from his mouth.

"If you hadn't made such a scene back then—" her tone was cold and hard, "there wouldn't have been so much gossip and criticism."

Julian’s eyes burned.

He knew she could never move past the fact that he had confessed to her in public.

Fifty-six confessions had completely tainted their relationship.

"I’m sorry," he lowered his head, his voice so faint it was almost inaudible. "Don't worry. In the future... I won't disturb you and Uncle anymore."

Scarlett’s frown deepened.

Julian was being far too abnormal today.

Just as she was about to ask for clarification, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier—

"Scarlett, my wound hurts a little. Can you come stay with me?"

Scarlett glanced at it, finally took a tube of ointment from her bag, and tossed it to Julian.

"Apply the medicine yourself. Don't leave a scar."

With that, she turned and left without a hint of hesitation.

Julian stood still, watching her figure disappear at the end of the hallway.

After a long time, he slowly crouched down and picked up the tube of ointment.

But this time, he did not unscrew the cap.

He went back to his room and took out the things he had once cherished like treasures: the watch, the scarf, the bookmark she had given him, and their only photo together...

Then, he flicked his lighter.

"Scarlett..."

He watched the flames consume those memories and whispered, "Goodbye."

Over the next few days, Julian went out to handle his visa, while Scarlett accompanied Xavier to Switzerland.

Every day, Julian saw Xavier’s social media updates.

They were embracing by the sea, kissing under the sunset, huddling together on a snowy mountain. The way Scarlett looked at him was so tender it stung the eyes.

He calmly turned off his phone, no longer feeling the pain.

Until the day arrived for the anniversary of his parents' death.

In previous years, Scarlett would always accompany him to the cemetery.

She would prepare the offerings in advance, stand silently behind him, and gently pat his shoulder when he choked up.

But this year was different.

Julian knew that Scarlett had Xavier now. He shouldn't, and couldn't, depend on her as he had before.

In the early morning, he bought white chrysanthemums alone and went to the cemetery by himself.

The autumn wind was bleak, and fallen leaves swirled before the tombstone. Julian knelt down and gently wiped the photos of his parents.

"Dad, Mom..." his voice was very soft, as if afraid to disturb those in eternal sleep. "Only I came to see you this year."

He laid down the chrysanthemums, his fingertips brushing the cold stone. "I’m going abroad. I might not be able to visit you for a long time..."

Before he could finish, his throat seized up.

He paused, forcing a smile. "But I will be fine. Don't worry."

Footsteps suddenly approached from behind.

Julian turned and saw Xavier walking up under a black umbrella, a look of forced sorrow on his face, while Scarlett leaned on his arm.

"You..." Julian stood up, his fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of his shirt.

"Xavier wanted to pay his respects to your parents," Scarlett said calmly, as if stating something perfectly ordinary.

Julian looked at Xavier’s hypocritical expression and remembered the insults he had once hurled at his parents. His chest felt as if a heavy stone were pressing down on it.

"You aren't welcome here," he said, his voice turning cold.

Scarlett frowned. "Julian, Xavier is my boyfriend now and will be my husband in the future. What is the problem with me bringing him to pay respects to your parents?"

Xavier hypocritically set down a bouquet, his voice trembling. "We will take good care of Julian..."