After My Future Husband’s Video, I Took $100 Million and Vanished Chapter 02

After My Future Husband’s Video, I Took $100 Million and Vanished Chapter 02

The bagel sandwich was still warm.

Julian had just slid the plate in front of me when the front door swung open.

Vivian stepped inside carrying two coffees, her smile bright and effortless.

“Morning, Chloe! Julian! I brought the emergency paperwork.”

She lifted the drink carrier with a playful grin.

“And coffee’s on me. I finally got my first internship paycheck, so I figured I’d treat you. Consider it a small thank-you for helping me pay for college all those years ago.”

Julian took the drinks without a second thought. He slipped a straw into one cup, then handed it to me while casually ruffling my hair.

“Chloe, don’t be so hard on Vivian all the time. She came all the way over this early just to drop off the files. She’s a good kid.”

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I stared at the hazelnut latte in my hand.

Tiny beads of condensation rolled down the side of the cup, dripping onto my fingers. The icy water made me flinch.

I was severely allergic to hazelnuts.

One sip would leave me covered in hives. A bad reaction could make it hard to breathe.

For six years, Julian had never forgotten that.

Today, he hadn’t even looked at the label before handing it to me.

Because from the moment Vivian walked in, his attention had never really left her.

His eyes dropped to the cup, and his expression froze.

“Baby… I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Oh my gosh, Chloe!” Vivian rushed to apologize. “I totally forgot you’re allergic to hazelnuts. I promise I won’t make that mistake again.”

Before she could finish, Julian spoke.

“Chloe…”

“Is something wrong at the office?” I cut him off.

He blinked, and unmistakable relief flickered across his face.

“The documents Vivian brought over uncovered a problem with one of our projects. It’s urgent. I need to head back with her and take care of it.”

I looked straight at him.

“Do you have to go? You barely spent any time with me last night.”

His expression stiffened for a full second.

“Chloe… don’t do this.”

He stepped closer, resting both hands on my shoulders. His voice softened into the familiar tone he always used whenever he wanted me to give in.

“You know why I’m doing this. It’s for our future. I have to prove to my mother that I can build everything on my own. That I don’t need the Thorne family name to marry you.”

I lowered my eyes.

For the sake of that so-called future, I had lost count of how many times I’d been the one to compromise.

A month ago, his mother, Eleanor Thorne, had slid a check for one hundred million dollars across the table and offered it to me on one condition.

Disappear from Julian’s life forever.

Back then, I had refused without hesitation.

But now…

Looking at the man standing in front of me, my stubbornness suddenly felt like the biggest joke of my life.

The moment Julian and Vivian disappeared into the elevator, I quietly followed them downstairs.

When I reached the parking garage, I found them.

Vivian was wrapped around him.

Her legs circled his waist, her arms looped around his neck as she clung to him like she belonged there.

Julian held her securely beneath her thighs before giving her a playful lift so she could hold on even tighter.

“I told you to wait in the car,” he murmured.

His words sounded like a scolding, but his tone was impossibly gentle.

“Who told you to come upstairs?”

Vivian rubbed her cheek against his neck.

“I was worried you’d be gone too long. Besides, I brought the coffee upstairs as an excuse to deliver the files, and she barely even looked at me.”

Julian pinched the tip of her nose.

“Don’t do that again. If you want another designer bag, I’ll buy it for you. Just don’t let Chloe catch us.”

She swayed against him with a teasing smile.

“Doesn’t this get exhausting?”

Her voice turned sweet enough to melt sugar.

“Every time we sleep together, you make us shower, change clothes, and cover our tracks. Even bringing me coffee has to look casual.”

She searched his face.

“Are you really that afraid of her finding out?”

Julian didn’t hesitate.

“I just can’t let Chloe find out.”

Vivian pouted.

“Then what am I?”

He paused before smiling at her.

“…You’re my baby.”

Her face lit up instantly.

“Then you’re spending today with me. The whole day.”

He lowered his head and kissed her.

“Deal. Whatever you want.”

A few moments later, the SUV began to rock.

My fingers clenched so tightly around my phone they ached.

Then my knees gave out.

I slid helplessly to the cold concrete floor.

I wanted to cry.

My eyes burned until they hurt, but not a single tear came.

Eventually, I forced myself back into the elevator.

As the doors closed, I called Eleanor Thorne.

“Mrs. Thorne.”

My voice sounded strangely calm.

“If I leave your son now… is your one hundred million dollar offer still on the table?”

Silence lingered for a couple of seconds.

“So you’ve changed your mind?” Eleanor finally said. “Last time, you told me you’d rather die than leave Julian.”

“He cheated on me.”

The words came out far more easily than I’d expected.

“I’ll text you my bank account information. Can the money be transferred within three days?”

“Chloe.”

There was something unreadable in Eleanor’s voice. Perhaps approval. Perhaps pity.

“You’re making the smart choice. Take the money… and make sure you disappear completely.”

The call ended.

Seconds later, my phone lit up.

It was another message from the Julian who existed five years ahead in the alternate timeline.

[Taking the money and leaving is the right choice.

But what about our baby?

The one you’re carrying?]