He knew that beside Elara, there was no longer a place for him.

Chapter 25

Until this day, Elara’s birthday.

Julian spent over ten days making a bracelet for Elara.

Taking advantage of the time Elara and Xie Yuzhou went out, he sneaked into the villa and placed the bracelet on her table.

After placing the item, Julian left in a hurry.

He was afraid that if Elara saw him, it would ruin her mood.

Just as he stepped outside and was about to drive away, he saw a car drive past the side of his vehicle.

Julian glanced subconsciously and saw a woman sitting in the back seat, wearing a duck-billed cap that covered most of her face.

Even though it was only a glimpse, Julian felt inexplicably familiar with the person.

He couldn't help but watch the car driving further and further away through the rearview mirror.

He drove forward subconsciously, but the further he drove, the more uneasy he felt.

This abnormal feeling reminded him of the day Elara left his side; he had been just as restless then.

Unable to sit still any longer, Julian immediately drove toward the villa where Elara and Xie Yuzhou lived.

Just as his car arrived downstairs at the villa, Elara and Xie Yuzhou happened to return together.

Xie Yuzhou was still holding a small cake in his hand.

The two were chatting and laughing, just about to open the door to enter the house.

Julian didn't notice anything abnormal; the moment he saw Elara, he rushed out subconsciously: "Elara!"

Elara paused her steps and looked back at him.

There was no surprise in her eyes.

Julian’s tailing skills weren't top-notch; she had discovered him long ago.

It was just that she knew he wouldn't hurt her, so she didn't care whether he was following her or not, pretending she didn't know.

This was the first time Julian had appeared in nearly a month, ever since he was sent to the hospital for his fever.

Elara looked at him with calm eyes: "Is there something you need?"

Julian looked at her calm eyes, and bitterness spread through his heart.

He clenched his fists, forcing down the pain in his heart, and tried his best to squeeze out a smile: "Happy birthday."

Elara smiled calmly: "Thank you."

But that smile didn't reach her eyes, just like a polite phrase one would say to a stranger.

Julian looked at her appearance, heartbroken to the point of being unable to breathe.

His eyes brimmed with moisture in an instant.

Julian turned to the side, feeling embarrassed, not daring to look at her anymore.

Just as he turned his face away, he saw a figure suddenly emerge from the side of the villa.

It was the woman from the car!

Wearing a gray-black outfit, a cap, and a mask!

Julian recognized her instantly: it was Chloe!

Julian’s heart leaped wildly, and the next moment he saw Chloe pull a gun from her pocket and aim it at Elara.

Even through the mask, Julian could almost see the ferocity on her face: "Go to hell!"

Julian’s expression changed drastically; he rushed over immediately to block in front of Elara.

Xie Yuzhou also shielded Elara in his arms the first second he could, protecting her with his own body.

Bang!

The sound of a gunshot rang out instantly.

Elara stiffened, wanting to turn back, but she was held tightly in Xie Yuzhou’s arms.

What followed were several more gunshots and a woman’s cry of pain.

It wasn't until Xie Yuzhou’s bodyguard spoke: "Sir, it’s taken care of."

Only then did Xie Yuzhou release Elara.

Elara looked back to see that, not far away, the hat and mask Chloe had been wearing had fallen to the ground. She was slumped on the ground, staring dead-eyed toward Elara’s position.

Beside her, Julian was collapsed on the ground.

He had blocked in front of Elara; at this moment, there was a blood hole in his chest, blood gushing out.

Elara looked at his wound in horror, and tears rolled down instantly.

Julian looked at her, and as he opened his mouth to speak, blood flowed out.

He gripped her hand tightly: "Thankfully... you are alright..."

Chapter 26

Elara trembled all over, gripping his hand back tightly:

"Stop talking, let’s go to the hospital, let’s go to the hospital right now!"

Xie Yuzhou also reacted at the first second and immediately took Julian to the hospital together with Elara.

Elara held his hand tightly the entire time.

Because of the excessive blood loss, Julian’s body kept trembling uncontrollably.

His face was deathly pale, and his consciousness gradually drifted, yet that hand gripping hers was very tight.

He unconsciously repeated three words over and over.

"I'm sorry."

Elara said through tears: "Enough, Julian, I forgive you. Stay strong, please don't die..."

Julian’s lips trembled, trying his best to suppress it, but he kept shedding tears.

It wasn't until he was sent to the door of the operating room that he finally let go of her hand.

Elara whispered: "I’ll be waiting outside for you. You must live!"

Only then did Julian release her hand before being wheeled into the operating room.

Elara lowered her eyes, looking at the blood of Julian’s on her own body, her whole body shaking.

Xie Yuzhou, who was beside her, saw how pale she looked and held her in his arms.

Elara couldn't hold back anymore; she clung to him and wept loudly.

Scared!

She was terrified!

She had thought about hating Julian for the rest of her life, but she had never wished for him to die for her.

Xie Yuzhou’s warm, gentle voice rang out, giving her endless safety: "Don't be afraid, I won't let anything happen to him."

Elara looked up at him.

Xie Yuzhou reached out his hand, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks.

He said softly: "If he dies for you, then I’m afraid you will never be able to let him go for the rest of your life. I won't give him that chance."

Xie Yuzhou immediately mobilized the most authoritative doctors from all departments and rushed to the hospital.

Julian was in critical condition several times, but was saved every time.

The surgery lasted eight hours before Julian was finally completely out of danger.

Elara finally breathed a sigh of relief and passed out the next moment.

When she woke up again, she learned that Julian had also awakened.

Elara went directly to Julian’s hospital room.

The two locked eyes, and there were tears in the depths of both their gazes.

Elara took care of Julian personally at the hospital for a full half-month.

The day he was discharged, Elara handed him a plane ticket.

The moment Julian saw that ticket, his eyes turned red.

Even knowing there was no chance, he still couldn't reconcile himself to it.

His voice trembled slightly: "Give me one last chance, forgive me again… one last time, okay?"

Elara looked at him calmly:

"Julian, in a person’s life, one might make mistakes many times in many things."

"But in marriage, in love, you absolutely cannot be allowed to make such a mistake."

"Because once that happens, the trust between each other will be completely shattered."

"Even if you pretend as if nothing happened, it is of no use. This stifling pain will turn into a boomerang aimed at each other countless times for the rest of our lives, leaving us unrecognizable."

"We... can never go back."

"I have already let go, so you should let go properly as well."

With that, she waved at him, and then walked with light steps toward Xie Yuzhou, who was waiting for her not far away.

Xie Yuzhou gave him a slight nod, then took Elara’s hand, and they left together.

Julian stared fixedly at the retreating figures of Elara and Xie Yuzhou walking side by side.

Finally, he understood the true meaning of a heart-wrenching pain.

[The End]