Seven Times I Said Yes Until I Finally Said No

After Chloe Sinclair returned, Julian, as expected, didn't contact me once.

And, in a complete break from my usual pattern, I was no longer the paranoid woman obsessively refreshing his social media or staking out every place he might be. My best friend, Maya Torres, and I began a blissful routine of champagne brunches and nightly bar-hopping.

The days bled into one another, and suddenly, only twenty remained until my flight to New York.

One day, while Maya and I were waiting for a table at a trendy new restaurant, we ran into Julian and Chloe.

Julian had his arm draped around Chloe's waist. They strolled in, laughing and talking, the very picture of a perfect couple.

"Elara?" Julian’s eyes found me instantly.

Chloe wrapped her arms affectionately around Julian's neck, a sweet smile playing on her lips. "Elara, what a coincidence. You're here for brunch too?"

Seeing my gaze fall on Chloe, Julian subconsciously took a step forward, shielding her behind him.

I knew he was afraid I would lunge at her like I had before.

But not only did I not move, I even held back Maya, who was already gearing up for a fight on my behalf.

I offered a nonchalant smile. "Yeah, what a coincidence."

Sensing my retreat, Chloe's smile grew even more triumphant.

"I'm so sorry, Elara, but Julian already booked the entire terrace for me. He promised he'd only dine with me, so you two might have to find another place."

She shook Julian's arm, cooing, "Isn't that right, Julian? You have to say something, or Elara will think I'm doing this on purpose."

When Julian met my calm gaze, a flicker of hesitation crossed his face, but he ultimately nodded at me.

He didn't say a word, but his silence cut deeper than any words could have.

Maya was rolling up her sleeves, but I gently pressed her arm down.

"It's fine. We'll go somewhere else."

Somewhere else. Somewhere without Julian.

With my departure for New York looming, I had no desire to waste another moment on pointless arguments with my ex-husband.

As a good ex should, I would treat Julian Astor as if he were already dead.

Sensing the tension, the restaurant manager hurried forward to fawn over Julian and Chloe. "You two are so in love. It's truly enviable."

Hearing this, Julian glanced at me with a complicated expression, as if he were both on guard and trying to figure me out.

But I acted as if I hadn't heard a thing, taking Maya's hand and rising to leave.

Julian hadn't expected this reaction. He stared at my retreating back, a thoughtful, almost confused expression on his face.

Chloe had to call his name several times, her tone already tinged with impatience, before he slowly tore his gaze away.