Chapter 2

Before I could answer, frantic heels clicked down the hall.

Scarlett rushed into the office panting and clung tightly to Julian's arm.

"Julian! I've been looking everywhere for you!" She glanced at me like a scared rabbit. "I'm scared."

Hearing this, the panic in Julian's eyes froze instantly.

He pulled Scarlett into his arms protectively and looked coldly at my professor.

"Professor," Julian's voice returned to a polite but distant tone. "Scarlett and I are here to revoke that recommendation letter. The one I begged the Dean to write for Aurora before my 'accident.'"

My professor was stunned.

"Julian? Are you kidding me?" He stood up in disbelief. "You literally risked your life fighting in underground rings to secure the favors needed to get the Dean to endorse that letter! You used to say you'd do anything to send Aurora to New York, to get her away from the bloody mess of Chicago's gangs!"

"That was before I lost my memory and realized who she truly is," Julian cut him off coldly, his tone dripping with obvious disgust. "Scarlett told me everything. Before my accident, I secured that glowing letter for her out of charity because we grew up in the same slums. But now, she is using my past charity as leverage, making up ridiculous lies at a funeral to harass my girlfriend and claim we are together. I will not let my past naive actions endorse someone so manipulative. It will only dirty Columbia's reputation."

"You..." My professor was too shocked by his ruthlessness to speak.

"I'm sorry, Professor," Scarlett squeezed out two fake tears right on cue. "Aurora is out of control because she can't accept the fact that Julian loves me. We have to protect ourselves. Julian, let's go."

She pulled Julian and turned to leave.

Julian followed her obediently. He didn't even bother giving me a second glance.

The office fell dead silent.

"Aurora..." My professor looked at me with a pained expression. "What happened to him? He used to protect you with his life."

Protected me with his life.

I twitched my lips, trying to smile, but my eyes were completely dead.

In my past life, precisely because he protected me with his life, I trapped myself in hell.

Only to watch them happily sit on the wealth of a mafia empire.

"It doesn't matter, Professor," I coldly withdrew my gaze, cutting off his pity. "I don't need his letter anymore. Please print out my admission form. I'm signing it right now."

Once I got the form, I didn't stay a second longer.

I went straight back to the shabby apartment Julian and I used to share.

I pushed the door open. A familiar scent hit my face.

Our faded photos were stuck to the wall. His old jacket was still tossed on the couch.

The old me would have been crying in agony right here.

But now, I felt nothing but numb.

I pulled open the closet and quickly shoved a few changes of clothes into my suitcase.

Next, I carefully slid that precious Columbia admission letter into a side pocket.

Finally, my eyes landed on an old box deep inside a drawer.

Inside lay a silver pocket watch. On its cover, two letters were tightly intertwined: "A&J."

On my 18th birthday, Julian went behind my back to take a beating in an underground boxing ring just to buy this with prize money.

His face was covered in blood that night, but he smiled like an idiot. "Aurora, from now on, I'll be your timekeeper. Wherever you go, I'm right behind you."

His promise still rang in my ears.

But the Julian of today was holding another woman, calling me a corrupt and greedy bitch.

I shut the box blankly and threw it into my luggage.

Just as I zipped it up, the front door was shoved open roughly.

Julian and Scarlett walked in. Two armed Falcone thugs trailed behind them.

They clearly didn't expect me to be there.

The moment he saw me, Julian's face turned icy.

"What are you doing here?" He stepped forward, eyeing me up and down like a true mafia heir. "Who gave you permission to break in?"

"Break in?" I stood up and stared right back at him. "I paid the rent here. If anyone should get out, it's you."

"Julian..." Scarlett immediately hid behind him, gripping his shirt tightly, her voice trembling. "She's so mean. I just wanted to come back and pack some of your old stuff. Is she going to hit me?"

Her pathetic act instantly ignited Julian's protective instinct.

He frowned slightly. His tone was calm but left no room for argument. "Take your things and leave. I don't want my men to throw you out. It would get ugly."

I didn't bother arguing. I grabbed my suitcase and headed straight for the door.

Just as I passed them, Scarlett suddenly pointed at the half-open pocket of my suitcase and screamed.

"Oh my god! Julian, that pocket watch!"

She widened her eyes on purpose, looking completely shocked and wronged. "Didn't you say that was your anniversary gift for me? Why is it in her bag!"

Full of lies.

But Julian bought it.

"Stop right there."

With a cold command, Julian reached out and snatched my suitcase.

"Give it back!" I snapped, reaching out to grab it.

"Aurora, are you done?"

Julian dodged my hand, and a thug immediately stepped up to block me.

The heavy shove made me lose my balance, and my back slammed hard onto the floor.

Sharp pain tore through my nerves. I gasped and glared up at him.

Julian looked down at me from above, clutching the box in his hand.

"I thought you were just overly jealous, but it turns out you're a dirty thief too."

He spat the words coldly, his eyes full of pity and disgust for a slum girl.

"Are you blind?" I pointed at the box through gritted teeth, ignoring the pain. "That's mine! It says 'A&J' on it! That's my name!"

"Shut up!"

Julian didn't even bother checking. He wouldn't even look down. In front of Scarlett's tears, he'd crush the truth without a second thought.

"If Scarlett says it's mine, then it is."

Julian stared at me, his eyes utterly cruel.

"Since you like stealing other people's things so much, I'll make sure you give up for good."

He raised his hand.

The silver pocket watch that held the memory of our shared life was smashed ruthlessly against the floor.

He flipped my suitcase over completely.

The Columbia admission letter, my entire future, slid out. He stomped right onto it with his expensive leather shoes.

"Get out. Now," he ordered coldly.