He saw the stunned look on her face and felt a sense of gratification.

Yes, that’s it. She was angry, so she would leave. If she left, he wouldn't have to live in fear every day, worrying about when she would discard him.

But she didn't leave.

She only froze for a moment, then smiled, and said nothing at all.

In the dream, there were only the two of them. She smiled at him, and he smiled at her. There was no Clara, no messy business, none of his damn words.

She leaned on his shoulder and said, "Julian, I like you so much."

He looked down at her and said, "Me too."

Then, he woke up.

The sunlight was still there, but she was gone.

Julian lay there, tears flowing from the corners of his eyes, running into his ears and tickling. He didn't wipe them away.

He lay there for a long time, then struggled to sit up. His ribs ached enough to make him gasp, his left arm was in a cast and couldn't move, so he used his right hand to brace himself against the bed and slowly sat up.

He didn't want to lie down anymore.

He had to make money.

He reached for the crutches by the bed and braced himself to stand. His legs felt soft, unable to hold his weight, so he leaned against the wall and moved inch by inch.

He stopped in front of the cabinet.

His magic prop box was there. The nurses had put it away for him right next to the cabinet.

He reached out to grab it.

When his hand touched the box, he was stunned.

There was a line carved into it.

"Nina loves Julian"

Below that was a smaller line of text.

"Happy first wedding anniversary."

Julian looked at that line of text; he remembered now. She had given him this.

It was a gift she gave him for their first anniversary. She said it was custom-made, the only one in the world. He had glanced at it at the time and said, "My prop box is big enough, I don't need this," and tossed it into the cabinet, never opening it again.

Julian’s hands were trembling. He picked up the box and held it tightly, as if he were holding something incredibly precious.

Then he buried his face into the box, his shoulders shaking as he curled up on the bed.

He remembered the way she looked when she gave him the gift. Her eyes were bright, looking at him with anticipation, waiting for him to open it, waiting for him to smile.

He had opened it, looked, said that sentence, and she had been stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's fine, you can use it later."

Use it later.

Later. There would never be a "later" again.

Chapter 19

Two months later, Julian stood at the entrance of the hotel, watching the people coming and going.

Today, there was an engagement banquet held here. An alliance between the Lu and Sinclair families—two powerful dynasties joining forces—brought all the socialites of New York City to attend. The entrance was packed with luxury cars; everyone stepping out was dressed in formal wear, faces composed with practiced smiles, exchanging pleasantries.

Julian stood at the entrance in his only suit, watching the guests file in.

He didn't have an invitation.

He had saved money for two months, taking every commercial gig he could find—working until he slept only three or four hours a day—just because he wanted to see her, even if it was just from a distance.

The security guard at the entrance blocked him.

"Sir, please present your invitation."

Julian was stunned for a moment. He patted his pockets and pulled out a business card.

"I—I am Julian," he said. "A magician. I know Nina; I am her..."

He stopped.

What was he to her?

Her ex-husband?

The man who had pushed her away to trade her for someone else?

The person who had left her waiting for death?

The guard looked at him, his gaze laced with a hint of impatience.

"Sir, you cannot enter without an invitation."

Julian stood there, not knowing what to say.

Someone walked past him, took a glance, and muttered something under their breath. He couldn't hear it clearly, but he knew what that look meant.

Squalid. Unworthy. He took two steps back and retreated to the side.

He watched the people enter—one by one, smiling, bearing gifts, carrying the composure that belonged to that world.

He thought, she was right. They had never been from the same world.

Just as he was about to leave, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey buddy, want to get in?"

Julian turned around. It was a young man wearing a waiter's uniform.

"I have an invitation," the man said. "Something urgent came up at home, so I can't go. If you want it, I'll sell it to you for ten thousand."

Ten thousand.

Julian clutched the invitation, his palms drenched in sweat. He walked back to the entrance and handed the invitation to the guard. The guard took a look, looked at him again, and waved him through.

Julian walked into the hotel.

The banquet hall was on the third floor. He took the elevator up alone. In the mirror, his face looked deathly pale, with dark circles beneath his eyes. He straightened his hair and tugged at his suit, but he still looked as squalid as before.

The elevator doors opened. He walked out and stood at the entrance of the banquet hall.

Inside, the lights were dazzling.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, illuminating the guests filling the hall. Long tables were laden with food and flowers, champagne towers were stacked layer upon layer, and waiters in formal attire wove through the crowd with trays. A band played in the corner; the music was soft, the laughter faint.

Julian stood at the entrance; no one looked at him. Everyone was busy with pleasantries, busy with smiles, busy with the bustle that belonged to them.

He walked in and found a corner to stand in.

He watched those people—men in bespoke suits, women draped in shimmering jewelry. Their voices sounded beautiful, their smiles were attractive, and there was something in their every gesture he would never learn. He thought, this is the life she should be living.

Raised in such a crowd since childhood, coddled and pampered since birth, never knowing what it meant to "not obtain" something.

When she pursued him, he hadn't known how to cherish it. He thought the heiress was just on a whim, thought that once the novelty wore off, she wouldn't want him anymore.

Now, standing here, watching these people, he finally understood.

It was she who had humbled herself to pursue him, and he who had been ungrateful enough to push her away. He truly was unworthy of her.

The lights suddenly dimmed. The crowd quieted down. A spotlight hit the entrance, and Julian followed the light.

The doors opened, and Nina walked in.

Nina wore a silver-white evening gown that trailed on the floor, studded with countless tiny diamonds, as if she had draped an entire galaxy over herself. Her hair was swept up, revealing her slender neck, and diamond earrings dangled from her ears, swaying with every step.

She walked very slowly, a faint smile on her face.

Lucas stood at the entrance, waiting for her. He wore a black suit, a bow tie, and his hair was perfectly groomed. She walked over, he extended his hand, and she placed her hand in his.

They stood together.

Julian stood in the corner, watching them. They match so well, he thought.

They were both people of that world, standing together like a painting. Unlike him.

The lights brightened, and the host began to speak. Julian couldn't hear what was being said; he only knew to stare at her, not daring to blink even once.

Nina smiled. She turned her head slightly to listen to Lucas. Lucas leaned down to whisper something in her ear, and she nodded.

She lifted her eyes, scanning the crowd.

Julian instinctively took a step back, shrinking into the shadows.

The host announced the start of the engagement ceremony. Lucas pulled out a box and opened it; inside was a ring. It was large, dazzling, and clearly very expensive.

He picked up the ring and looked at Nina. Nina extended her hand, and the ring slid onto her ring finger.

Julian watched the movement, his chest feeling as if it had been gripped violently.

He had also put a ring on her finger once.

He didn't dare to keep watching.

He turned and walked toward the exit. Upon reaching the door, he stopped.

He glanced back one last time. She stood in the spotlight, and Lucas leaned down to kiss her.

It was light, gentle, as if he were kissing something incredibly precious.