He Faked His Death for My Trust Fund. So I Planned My Own Goodbye. Chapter 03

He Faked His Death for My Trust Fund. So I Planned My Own Goodbye. Chapter 03

I stumbled back a step, nearly falling.

I rubbed my eyes hard.

I thought I was seeing things.

But I’d never mistake Julian’s face.

Tessa looked at me with sympathy.

“Mina, do you think Camille and that guy tricked you?”

“It looks like he faked his death just to be with her…”

“Stop.”

My face went deathly pale as I stared at Camille leaning into Julian’s arms.

She was supposed to be my best friend in the whole world.

She’d always had my back.

When Julian and I first got together, she was the first to object.

She always pointed out his flaws.

“Look at that face. He looks like trouble. A guy like him isn’t reliable. He doesn’t deserve you.”

“No way. I’m scared he’ll hurt you. I need to check him out properly.”

“If he ever messes with you, tell me right away. I’ll make him regret it.”

Later, to win Camille over, Julian kept proving himself.

Eventually she accepted him.

But I never imagined…

They’d been together this whole time.

“No, this can’t be happening.”

I shook my head, face white. My body was so weak I nearly collapsed. Tessa caught me just in time.

“Maybe there’s some misunderstanding.”

“I… I need to call Cami.”

I dialed Camille’s number.

It rang twice.

On the other end, Camille pulled out her phone but didn’t answer right away.

“It’s Mina. Don’t say anything.”

She pressed a finger to Julian’s lips.

Her smile turned flirtatious.

“Or we’ll blow our cover.”

Julian nodded with a grin and kissed her forehead.

“Don’t worry. I won’t make a sound.”

Camille finally picked up, voice full of concern.

“Mina, what’s going on?”

“Shouldn’t you be in treatment at the clinic right now? Why are you calling?”

I watched them from across the way, throat tight.

“Nothing. I just wanted to ask where you are.”

Camille laughed, lying smoothly.

“I’m at work.”

“It’s been crazy busy. Don’t worry, I’ll swing by the clinic after my shift with your favorite macarons and strawberry shortcake.”

“Gotta go. My colleague needs me for overtime.”

She hung up first.

Then muttered under her breath, annoyed.

“So damn annoying. All this for that trust fund.”

“I still have to keep playing the devoted best friend for Mina every day.”

“Julian, when is this going to be over?”

Camille wrapped her arm around his, voice softening.

The next second, Julian gave a cold laugh.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”

“Didn’t you say Mina already believes I’m dead?”

“She even went to my memorial marker a couple days ago, all emotional.”

“Looking at her condition now, she probably won’t last much longer before she transfers that trust fund to you.”

“Once she signs the beneficiary transfer authorization, this whole act is done.”

Camille clapped her hands excitedly.

“Finally. I can’t wait.”

“Thinking about how long that idiot Mina has believed me makes me feel so good.”

“She’ll probably die without ever knowing you faked your death half a year ago just to get her Grandpa Everett’s trust fund.”

My fingers scraped against the wall until blood seeped from my fingertips.

So this had all been fake.

Julian wasn’t dead.

He’d faked his death just to trick me out of Grandpa Everett’s trust fund.

“Mina… are you okay?”

Tessa looked worried, but also furious.

“Those two are disgusting. I want to go over there and confront them right now.”

She rolled up her sleeves, ready to charge, but I stopped her.

“No need. Let’s go back.”

Tessa couldn’t believe it.

“Mina, they’ve been plotting against you this whole time and you’re just going to let it go?”

I gave a bitter smile.

“At this point, what’s the use?”

I should’ve realized it sooner.

Half a year ago, Camille had accidentally posted an Instagram Story.

It only stayed up a minute before she deleted it.

But I’d seen it.

It was a marriage certificate.

Thinking back to Julian calling her his wife… they must have gotten married at the courthouse already.

I remembered what Mr. Hayes had said to me that day at St. Brigid’s Cemetery.

“Mina, you were a good girl.”

“We once thought you’d marry Julian and become part of our family.”

“But that wasn’t meant to be.”

“Stop holding onto the past. Let him go and live your life.”

I’d misunderstood him then.

I thought Julian really was dead.

Now it made sense.

He knew Julian had already married Camille.

That’s why he told me to move on.