Malignant Love#

I did a quick inventory of my things at home.

I left all the valuables behind, taking only some clothes for the season and my ID.

I've been exhausted ever since getting pregnant, and after packing all evening, I passed out right on the sofa.

The next day, the front door was opened from the outside.

I jolted upright, terrified.

To my complete shock, Julian Valerius was back.

He was holding a young woman by the hand—it was Mia Quinn.

She was exquisitely beautiful. The photos I'd seen didn't do her justice; they only captured half her beauty.

Mia Quinn was also carrying several luxury brand shopping bags, and the diamonds on her high heels were so bright they nearly blinded me.

Clearly, he had already smoothed things over with her.

My heart sank. I never expected Julian Valerius to return so soon.

My hand instinctively went to my neck.

The choking sensation seemed to return, and I found myself genuinely afraid of Julian Valerius.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to stand up from the sofa.

Julian Valerius led Mia Quinn to stand before me. Right in front of me, he smiled as he tenderly straightened her hair, then turned to me, his expression turning cold.

"Elara Thorne, apologize to Mia."

I couldn't believe my ears.

Even after we had dropped all pretenses, after he'd destroyed my family's livelihood, after he'd tried to strangle me just yesterday—I thought that was as monstrous as he could get.

'Now he wants me to apologize to his mistress?'

Seeing me frozen, Julian Valerius seized my chin, forcing me to face Mia Quinn.

"Didn't you hear me? I told you to apologize to Mia."

Julian Valerius is a businessman; he knows exactly how to crush a person's spirit.

Even if that person was the wife he'd been with for years.

Mia Quinn hadn't so much as glanced at me since she'd walked in.

With downcast eyes and slightly pursed lips, she didn't need to say a thing to look like a pitiful, deeply wronged victim.

"Mr. Valerius, you don't have to do this."

"I know my position isn't exactly proper. It's only natural for her to hate me."

That's what she said, but I clearly saw her flick her eyes upward in a brief, secret glare at me.

When I remained silent, Mia Quinn tugged at Julian Valerius's sleeve.

"Mr. Valerius, I'm a little tired. I want to go rest..."

Julian Valerius kissed Mia Quinn on the cheek, his voice gentle. "Alright, you go to the room and rest."

Mia Quinn's large eyes darted toward me as she asked with feigned doubt, "This is your home. Where am I supposed to rest?"

Julian Valerius nonchalantly led her to our bedroom. The implication was unmistakable.

I was trembling uncontrollably.

I clenched my jaw, the only thing stopping me from erupting in a mad scream.

I struggled to even my breathing as I watched Julian Valerius settle her into the room. Only then did I speak to his back, my voice hoarse.

"Julian Valerius, let's get a divorce."

"You've trampled my dignity like garbage, and you've destroyed my parents' life's work."

My eyes were red, but I forced myself to remain calm as I said, "This is all my fault. The fault was mine, for being so blind back then."

Hearing this, Julian Valerius actually raised an eyebrow.

He stood before me with his hands in his pockets, leaning in until his handsome face was inches from mine.

His expression was vicious.

And it held a profound, inscrutable meaning that I couldn't begin to understand.