Chapter 184

Chapter 184
Sienna's pov

Julian seemed to seek for my opinion on everything.

Maybe because this wasn’t my first engagement, or my first wedding, I couldn’t bring myself to care too much about the ceremony itself.

But maybe...

"Today?" I asked hesitantly. "Can you pick me up from my place?"

Whether I tried on the dress or not didn't matter; Julian's preparations were always flawless.

But if I stood next to him, maybe I'd have the courage to face the family downstairs.

Deep down, I already knew who it was, didn't I?

When Harrison truly appeared outside my building, I froze. I couldn’t believe it and didn't dare face him.

Especially since he had another woman with him.

Even Julian sounded shocked when he heard it happen, but he agreed to come right away.

After hanging up the phone, I stood by the window.

I thought I saw Harrison looking up at me.

I still remembered his phone number without even trying. As long as he hadn’t changed it, I could call him, but I didn't dare.

Harrison really didn't leave until Julian's car arrived downstairs.

I saw Julian get out and meet Harrison .

Then I went downstairs. By the time I reached the first floor, Harrison had already left.

“Is this why you called me?” Julian suddenly pulled me into his arms, dropping his voice. “He hasn’t gone far.”

My body stiffened for a moment, but I didn't push him away.

I had to admit it was Harrison who sought me out.

With his wife and child, he came to see his ex-wife.

And he knew about our child.

“Yes,” I murmured. “You know I can’t face him alone.”

If I hadn’t asked Julian to come, I wouldn’t have stepped outside at all.

Harrison had dragged me away more than once in the past… and I had no intention of reliving that.

"Then why don't you consider moving in with me?"

Julian suggested calmly. “I’ll make sure you’re safe. I won’t touch you. I’ll even arrange someone to look after the baby.”

He seemed to be offering me a trap I couldn't refuse.

“That’s not a good idea,” I replied gently. “I’m an actress now, under your company. If we live together, the gossip will be endless.”

It wasn't that I cared about others' opinions; I simply didn't wish to invite unnecessary trouble.

In the end, I refused.

“Thank you. But right now… living together isn’t suitable.”

Julian didn’t press the issue. Instead, he opened the car door for me and drove me to a hotel.

"I've had the dress sent to the hotel's lounge. The engagement ceremony rehearsal is happening in the hall right now. You can go check it out later."

Rehearsal?

I let out a faint, humorless laugh. “It’s just an engagement. No need for all that.”

Even if his attentiveness came with motives of his own, what woman would feel nothing seeing a man put this much effort into her?

For a moment, a ridiculous thought crossed my mind again.

If I had met Julian first, would everything be different?

If I hadn’t crossed paths with Harrison … would Julian see me as more than a weapon to hurt him?

Thinking about the past, the pain in my heart resurfaced, and any gratitude I felt for Julian vanished.

I haven't forgotten, it was Julian who had once helped Elena get close to Harrison .

I lowered my eyes, trying to hide the anger rising within me.

“Engagements matter,” Julian said as we stepped into the lounge. “And… Sienna , you still haven’t answered my question. Have you thought it through?”

As we entered the lounge, the world suddenly became quiet.

The room's soundproofing was excellent and the footsteps outside were barely audible.

Julian locked the door behind us.

He walked toward the dress hanging by the mirror, brushing his fingers along the fabric.

His voice, when he finally spoke again, carried an unsettling chill.


"What?"

I was really nervous.

I didn't want to answer the so-called question. I thought that matter was already settled.

"Forgotten? Let me ask you again."

Julian suddenly approached me with a forceful demeanor. I had to retreat until I sat on the sofa against the wall.

He pressed his knee between my legs and leaned in close.

"Let's make Harrison die at our engagement party. Consider it a blessing for us."

I turned my head, feeling very uncomfortable. "You don't need to ask me about such things."

He wanted Harrison dead, but why under the guise of my name?

"I just want revenge, but I don't want to kill anyone. Are you forcing me?"

I hated Harrison , wished he were dead, but I would never do it myself.

His death shouldn't be by my hand.

"I'm not forcing you. If you don't want him dead, I won't act, even though I do want him dead."

I was speechless.

Wasn't this forcing me?

"You decide your own matters. If you want my opinion, I want him to suffer more than death."

Julian and I were indeed different people.

He could talk about killing and even shoot someone, but I couldn't.

"Suffer more than death, huh? Good idea."

Julian gave a wicked smile, released me, and pointed to the dress. "Try it on."

I had no mood to try on the dress.

I took the dress and went into the inner room to change. As I pulled the zipper halfway, I suddenly felt warmth behind me.

Julian had finished zipping it up for me.

I felt uneasy.

"The dress fits well. I'll change out of it."

Julian stopped me and led me out of the lounge. "Let's go check out the hall."

Today, Julian was still in a suit.

Not a tuxedo, but it didn't affect his appearance at all.

He held my hand as we walked into the hall, which was almost fully decorated.

On stage, brilliant lights bore down upon me, flooding the scene with dazzling, metallic gleams.

But I smelled gunpowder.

At first, I thought it was my imagination, but after standing on stage for ten minutes, the smell hadn't dissipated.

"Julian, would you kill me?"

Out of nowhere, I asked, "Your hatred for Harrison ... surpasses your affection for me, right?"

How much affection could there be? In Julian's eyes, I was more of a pawn.

Even though he said he loved me.

"What are you talking about? Why would I kill you?" Julian seemed to find it amusing and rubbed the back of my head. "My hatred for him... can't compare to my affection for you. Strictly speaking, I should thank him. Without him, I wouldn't have met you. Don't overthink it. The less you know, the better."

I vaguely sensed a hint of hostility around Julian.

I didn't know if he had thoughts of killing me.

But I clearly felt the same vibe from him as I did from Harrison .

A destructive, almost pathological possessiveness.

I feared Harrison , but not Julian.

Probably because I didn't love him.

Only when facing Harrison did I consider more.

Until I changed out of the dress and left the hotel, the smell of gunpowder finally dissipated.

The engagement venue felt off.

Julian might really have murderous intentions.