Julian froze, seemingly just remembering that for his debts, I had been diligently working late into the night. He had also promised
that once the debts were paid, he would marry me. We would settle down and build a life together, just as my mother had hoped
Tonight, he was supposed to reveal his true identity to me. “I, I have something to tell you. Actually, I’m the heir to the Winthorpe
Corporation.”
“I’m coming to pick you up right now…”
I hung up, hailing a cab and driving away. I had no expectations left for Julian. When I finally collected myself, my tears were reflec- ted in the car window. On my phone, Julian’s messages popped up, one after another, I didn’t look, nor did I want to.
Today was supposed to be the day we started our new life. But his deception had turned my mother’s suicide into a bitter joke. Five
years of arduous effort, exchanged only for a Judicrous truth.
12
2
00:33 10
Julian Winthorpe, I don’t want to marry you anymore.
That night, I didn’t go home. Instead, I checked into a hotel. Julian, too, spent the entire night sending messages and making count-
less calls. I didn’t read them, nor did I answer.
The next morning, I arrived at the office early, preparing my resignation letter. The company was a subsidiary of the Winthorpe Corporation, and I was just an ordinary accountant. Five years ago, I first met Julian when he joined the company. After we started dating, I took him to meet my mother. My mother approved of our engagement, and as we prepared for the wedding banquet, Juli- an told me he had incurred massive debts and had been fired from his job.
To help him pay off his debts, I took on many part–time jobs. My mother’s already weathered face grew even older. Yet, I never imagined that this company… was his.
I scoffed, a self–deprecating laugh. Just then, Julian walked in. I simply took out the printed resignation agreement. Julian appear- ed beside me, and under his gaze, I calmly signed the resignation agreement.
J
He looked at me, his voice soft: “Finished?”
“Finished.”
Julian bit his lip slightly, seemingly unaware of the change in me. He cleared his throat: “Lila July, please come with me for a mo-
ment.”
