The Only Color Left In His World Was Another Woman Chapter 07

Meanwhile, I was checking the contents of my 

backpack. 

I had the sudden feeling that someone was watching me, so I glanced over my shoulder. 

But all I saw were busy staff members and tourists passing by. I shook off the feeling and returned my attention to my equipment. 

the 

Although Brielle had taken my climbing gear, research team leader had generously bought me a replacement set at the last minute. 

Once we’d finished checking everything, our newly assembled research team headed into the Mount Norens area of Vessera Glacier National Park. 

When I learned that our first stop would be the very mountain where the accident had happened, 

it stirred something in me. 

But the feeling quickly passed. 

Whatever had happened in the past, I was 

determined to approach this expedition with the 

professionalism it deserved. 

The weather was unusually good that day. 

We reached our first campsite without any trouble. 

We were at about 9,200 feet, and the temperature stayed between 41 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

I took out a camera to document the glacial crevasses and ice caves we’d passed along the way. We stopped for half an hour so I could sketch a map of the hazards in the area. 

I’d just put my pen away when I heard someone calling my name. 

I turned around and saw the last person I’d 

expected to find there. Julian. 

Brielle was standing beside him, pale and 

struggling to catch her breath. She was clearly 

suffering from altitude sickness. 

Julian hurried toward me, and the first thing he did 

was apologize. 

“I’m sorry, Tessa. I got it all wrong.” 

“I know I’ve put you through so much lately. When 

we get home, I promise I’ll make it up to you.” 

This time, I wasn’t wearing my rigid mask or even 

a face covering. 

Julian could see my entire face. 

He went pale for a moment, but quickly pulled 

himself together. 

As though determined to prove something to me, 

he kept his eyes fixed on my face without looking 

away once. 

I almost wanted to laugh. 

So he could control himself after all. 

Seeing me didn’t automatically mean he’d lose control, pin me to the floor, and force that mask 

onto my face. 

Then what had all those years of suffering been 

for? 

I supposed I’d been a fool. 

“Don’t bother.” 

My voice was cold. 

“Julian, we’re over. Please don’t contact me again.” 

The confidence Julian had shown only moments 

earlier vanished. Panic spread across his face. 

“Tessa, I know you’re angry right now. You don’t 

really mean that.” 

But then his gaze fell on my bare ring finger, and 

he stopped speaking. 

There had once been a simple silver band on that 

finger. It was the first gift he’d ever given me, bought with the money he’d earned from a part–time job during his freshman year of college. 

The color slowly drained from Julian’s face. 

“Tessa… why? Why did you throw away our ring?” 

“Once something’s been tainted, the trash is where 

it belongs.” 

It was time for our team to leave. 

I quickly gathered my things and, without another word to the stunned man standing in front of me, 

walked away with the rest of the expedition.