The Only Color Left In His World Was Another Woman Chapter 02

I watched Julian walk away. My throat tightened, and I couldn’t stop myself from calling his name.

“Julian…”

He heard me. His steps faltered for a moment, but he never looked back.

The others were too embarrassed to stay. One by one, they made their excuses and left.

Soon, I was alone in the enormous private lounge.

The room was a mess.

The birthday song was still playing on a loop.

I stared at the cake on the bar. Written across the frosting were the words, “To My Tessa—Be Happy, Always.”

Tears immediately filled my eyes.

I scooped up a large forkful of frosting and shoved it into my mouth.

A second later, I spat it straight back out.

Almost instantly, angry red blotches erupted across my arms.

Everyone close to me knew I was allergic to peanuts.

Julian had remembered that for seven years. Yet when he ordered my birthday cake, he’d instinctively chosen Brielle’s favorite flavor: peanut butter.

He’d been putting Brielle first for a long time.

At that moment, the last bit of reluctance I felt about leaving finally disappeared.

I took out my phone and contacted the glacier research team whose invitation I’d previously declined.

I asked if they still had room for me.

The reply came almost immediately.

Research team: [We can fit one more person.]

Research team: [But you’ll need to bring your own equipment. We’re meeting in Vessera in seven days.]

It was peak tourist season.

I opened a flight-booking app and bought the last available ticket to Vessera.

Only then did I send my reply.

Me: [Okay.]

Julian didn’t contact me until one in the morning.

He sent several voice messages, sounding full of guilt and remorse.

Julian: [I’m sorry, Tessa. I had another episode, and I couldn’t control myself. That’s why I hurt you.]

Julian: [I’m glad Brielle stopped me in time. Otherwise, it could have been so much worse. If anything happened to you… I’d never forgive myself.]

At the end of his last voice message, I heard a girl cry out in pain.

Quite a while passed before Julian sent another message.

Julian: [Brielle’s such a klutz. She just slipped in the bathroom. She forgot to turn on the bathroom fan, and her face was bright red from the steam.]

Julian: [I just noticed how dry and brittle the ends of Brielle’s chestnut-brown hair look. I wonder if she’s getting enough to eat. She keeps skipping meals trying to lose weight!]

“Julian, my arms are so sore! Come blow-dry my hair for me!”

He raised his voice to answer her.

“Coming!”

Then he lowered his voice to speak to me.

Julian: [Brielle’s calling me. If I keep her waiting, she’ll get all pouty and expect me to make it up to her. Babe, I bought you a present. Keep an eye out for the delivery.]

Across all those messages, Julian had spared just one sentence for my injuries, yet he’d mentioned Brielle countless times.

I scrolled farther back through our chat history.

Julian: [Brielle has these gorgeous hazel eyes, and there’s actually color in her cheeks and lips. Everyone else is still just shades of gray.]

Julian: [When Brielle gets mad, her cheeks turn red. I can’t remember the last time I saw that color…]

Every message seemed to be about Brielle.

With tears threatening again, I stopped scrolling. There was no point in torturing myself any further.

I knew what it was like to be loved by Julian with all his heart.

In the days just after he was discharged from the hospital, seeing me would trigger his symptoms, yet he still insisted on keeping me close every moment.

He was so afraid of losing control and hurting me that he would tie himself to the bed before falling asleep. His body was covered in bruises from the ropes and bloody scratches.

Whenever I cried over his injuries, he would pull me into his arms and comfort me with such tenderness.

“This little bit of pain is nothing.”

“Being apart from you hurts so much more.”

But what about now?

There was only room for Brielle in his world.

The doorbell suddenly rang.

A delivery driver had arrived with my gift.

Inside the Bulgari gift bag, where I’d expected to find the pink-diamond watch I’d wanted for years, was a pair of cheap-looking stud earrings.

Meanwhile, that very watch was on Brielle’s wrist, proudly displayed in an Instagram post.

She flashed a peace sign at the camera, grinning from ear to ear.

[Julian’s spoiling me again! Gift #18 this month!]

Apparently, Brielle didn’t have to do anything to receive expensive gifts.

And to Julian, the face he’d nearly scarred for life was worth no more than a cheap promotional freebie.

I gave a humorless smile.

Suddenly, I felt ridiculous.

I put the earrings back in their box and tossed them into the trash.