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Chapter 5
His fingers tensed, knuckles whitening, but within seconds his composure returned, offering her a tender smile.
“I got over her long ago. We lost contact after breaking up, and I won’t see her again“,
Phoenix tasted bitterness in her mouth.
He lied so effortlessly, without even a furrowed brow.
When he reached to touch her face, she instinctively turned away.
This wasn’t the first time she’d rejected his touch–a fact that made his brow crease with concern.
“Who told you about this?” His tone suddenly grew serious. “Is this why you’ve been unhappy lately?”
Before Phoenix could answer, his phone rang sharply.
Julian checked the caller ID, paused momentarily, then answered.
Immediately, Elise’s tearful voice came through: “Julian! Some thugs are following me–I’m terrified…”
Julian’s expression darkened. “Send me your location.”
He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door, not even glancing at Phoenix. “Baby, there’s an urgent matter at the office. Take a cab home.”
Phoenix didn’t go home. Something compelled her to hail a taxi and follow him.
In a dimly lit alley, she watched Julian shield Elise behind him while confronting four or five thugs armed with clubs.
He was transformed–ruthless and violent, nothing like his usual controlled self.
When one bloodied thug suddenly pulled a knife and lunged at Elise-
“Elise!”
Julian dove forward without hesitation, using his body as a shield.
The blade pierced his chest, blood immediately soaking his white shirt.
“Julian!” Elise caught him as he fell, sobbing hysterically.
“Don’t be afraid…” he whispered, lying in her arms, his voice weak but tender. “I promised… to protect you forever… I keep my promises…”
Phoenix stood at the alley entrance, feeling as though her heart had been physically carved out.
Outside the operating room, Elise wept brokenly: “He was always like this… almost killed himself racing cars for me once… when I had an accident, he gave me so much blood he passed out…”
17.40
Chapter 5
Phoenix leaned against the wall, listening silently.
So even a mature, composed man like Julian would risk his life for love, just never for her.
“The knife missed his heart by millimeters.” A nurse emerged. “Is Ms. Elise here? We need a family member to sign the consent forms.”
Elise shook her head tearfully: “I’m not family… his wife is over there.”
The nurse looked at Phoenix in surprise: “But the patient keeps calling for ‘Elise,‘ and when he was making his will, he said all his assets should go to Ms. Elise…”
She realized her mistake and awkwardly fell silent.
Phoenix smiled. She signed the papers under the nurse’s pitying gaze, then turned to leave.
“Wait!” Elise called after her. “Don’t you love him most? He’s still in danger–aren’t you going to stay and care for him?”
Phoenix paused but didn’t look back.
“I did love him deeply once,” she replied, her voice eerily calm. “But I’ve let go now. Since he never got over you, I’ll step aside for you both.”
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17:18
