Julian’s pupils contracted, but Summer’s unconscious grip on his clothes pulled him back to reality.

He shoved Summer into the car and slammed on the gas.

The Maybach sped away. Elena was barely holding on, biting her lip as she heard the commotion behind her.

She hadn't expected Julian to be this heartless...

But the men in black were after Summer; seeing their target leave, they stopped tangling with Elena and fled.

Elena stood alone in the vast amusement park, blinking blankly.

Her vision turned black. Relying on a hazy memory, she found a hidden door and curled up inside.

New wounds piled upon old scars, and Elena developed a high fever.

She didn't know how long it had been before the hidden door creaked open, and Elena saw Julian standing against the light.

"I knew you’d be here... Elena, let’s go home."

【Sob He still remembers this place! It’s where the second female lead hid when she was fighting with him!】

【I told you he loves her deeply!】

Elena vaguely remembered hiding here before, and Julian had pulled her out with a smile just like this.

She wanted to take Julian’s hand, but just then, she saw Summer standing behind him, looking worried.

Elena paused and struggled to pull herself up.

【Those men in black are finished; the second male lead is no pushover.】

【The heroine and the second female lead—he needs them both...】

Elena was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"Are you afraid of me leaving?"

Julian supported her and led her out the door:

"You won't."

"You swore an oath to me: never to betray, never to leave, and to always protect me."

Indeed, Elena had always been a woman of her word.

For the sake of those three promises, she could shield him with her own body and die before revealing Julian’s whereabouts.

But now, she was going to break that vow.

She was going to leave him.

Julian sighed softly:

"Elena, I was just afraid of Summer getting hurt... After all, she once saved my life."

Elena pulled at the corner of her lips.

After returning to the villa, Elena watched the doctors hovering around Summer and closed her eyes, wanting to escape the sight.

She slept until dawn, slowly drifting awake.

Summer was holding a towel, dabbing Elena’s forehead, her head nodding with fatigue. Julian coaxed her in a low voice:

"Go get some rest. She’s strong; she’ll be fine."

Summer shook her head stubbornly:

"Just because she’s strong doesn't mean she doesn't hurt, does it?"

Elena suddenly wanted to laugh.

She couldn't bring herself to hate Julian, and she couldn't hate Summer either.

Seeing her wake up, Summer quickly dropped the towel, bit her lip, and knelt by the bed:

"I'm sorry, Sister Elena. You were only hurt because you were saving me..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Julian wiped her tears tenderly, his usual composure completely lost:

"Elena is fine. She can even dance right now; if you don't believe me, watch."

Julian pulled Elena up and whispered in her ear:

"Summer is leaving tomorrow; don't let her carry this guilt. Just hold on for a little while."

Julian gentlemanly took her hand, and with a slight movement, led Elena into a waltz.

Elegant music fused perfectly with light footsteps. Elena looked at his profile and only felt the absurdity of it all.

Once upon a time, she had fantasized about dancing cheek-to-cheek with Julian.

Now that it was happening, she wished she had never clumsily taught herself to dance for his sake.

Summer finally believed him and stopped crying.

Julian gently led Summer to get some rest, throwing a bottle of medicine to Elena before leaving.

The moment he left, Elena could no longer hold on and collapsed to the floor.

The wounds that hadn't healed were torn open, and crimson blood soaked through the bandages once again.

She let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Chapter 5

Two days of the three-day limit had already passed. On this final day, Julian barely left Summer’s side for a single moment.

Every time Elena saw him, his gaze was lingering on Summer with a deep, lingering reluctance.

【Summer can finally leave, sob! She’s finally going back to the male lead.】

【Julian is so devoted, can’t the three of them just live happily together!】

【Everything is slowly getting better: the male and female leads are getting married in a few days, and the second male and female leads should be together too!】

In the past, Elena had longed for the day Julian would have a change of heart.

But now, as her years of secret love were about to reach a conclusion, she felt not a single ripple in her heart.

"Elena, what are you thinking about?"

Julian didn't know when he had walked over, and Elena’s thoughts were suddenly pulled back.

She didn't speak, and Julian didn't seem to care:

"Summer is leaving; don't you want to give her a parting gift?"

Elena felt as if she had heard a preposterous joke:

"Me? I have to give her a gift too?"

Julian frowned, his gaze landing on the silver chain around her neck:

"She doesn't like things that are too expensive. This necklace is well-crafted and unique; just give it to her."

Elena’s eyes widened sharply.

This necklace was a birthday gift Julian had given her.

Although the materials weren't precious, it had been crafted by an old artisan—a priceless treasure Julian had scoured the entire city to find.

The maple leaf pendant on it had supported her as she struggled to climb up from countless matches, imprinted with her countless kisses and affections.

This affection… it wasn't worth keeping anymore.

As Elena took off the necklace, she asked with a smile:

"Do you know what day it is today?"

Julian’s brows were filled with impatience:

"The day Summer is leaving."

Elena’s smile deepened, but her eyes were a desolate wasteland.

Today was her birthday.

Summer left after all.

The moment she threw herself into Cole’s arms, Elena clearly saw the murderous intent in Julian’s eyes.

But looking at Summer’s smiling face, his clenched fist finally loosened.

Julian remained silent and sullen all day. Only toward evening did he call Elena to the basement boxing ring.

Elena put on her boxing gloves, and Julian launched a swift punch directly toward her!

Elena couldn't react in time; she only felt a sharp pain in her ribs, her face turning pale as she bent over to clutch her abdomen.

Julian said coldly:

"Is this how you train? If this were the ring, no one would go easy on you."

Elena stood up with a pale face, unable to tolerate it any longer:

"Julian, Summer has left and you're in a bad mood, but don't take it out on me!"

Julian was stunned.

In the past, Elena had never said a single word of dissent to him. Whatever his decision was, no matter how unreasonable, she would complete it.

He knew Elena didn't like the bloodshed, but she had still persisted in the underground boxing ring for two years.

Elena was no longer one hundred percent trusting and obedient to him. Realizing this, a subtle irritability stirred in Julian’s heart.

"You're overthinking it. Hasn't training always been like this?"

Elena threw down her boxing gloves, gave him a cold look, and turned to walk away.

Outside, it was pouring rain. She didn't know where she should go, wandering aimlessly through the downpour.

As she passed by a small alleyway, Elena suddenly heard screaming from within.

【The heroine baby’s final ordeal is here; the male lead’s enemies are going to make a move on her. My heart aches!】

【After this incident, Summer will rely even more on the male lead. Seeing Summer in tattered clothes, the male lead will be heartbroken.】

【Only by going through hardship can one see love clearly! Isn't it even better to see the male lead staying by the injured heroine’s side without abandoning her?】

Elena’s footsteps paused, her muddled brain suddenly clearing.

She turned her head stiffly to see several men pinning Summer down, tearing at her clothes with lecherous smiles.

Elena didn't overthink it; she rushed straight in, punched the man on top of her to the ground, and shielded the terrified, fainting Summer behind her.

A voice echoed in the depths of her heart:

No.

Love shouldn't have to be forged through suffering.

In the pouring rain, the sound of hurried footsteps reached Elena’s ears, accompanied by a man’s anxious call:

"Elena!"

Chapter 6

Elena’s body had endured too much abuse over the past few days, and her spirit was already on the verge of collapse.

In her blurred vision, an umbrella was held over her head:

"In such heavy rain, why are you running around! You..."

【Why is the second male lead here at this time?】

【The second female lead ran away, he must have been worried and chased after her!】

Before Julian could finish his sentence, he suddenly spotted Summer, who had fainted. His pupils contracted violently.