Chapter 8: A Fresh Start

A taxi pulled up in front of Chloe. Before getting in, she turned to Julian and spoke firmly. “First of all, we’ve already broken up, so you have no right to dictate what I do or who I associate with. Secondly, my relationships with others aren’t as sordid as you imagine. But there’s a saying that fits: people with dirty minds always assume others are just as filthy.” With that, she got into the taxi and told the driver to go. Julian stood there, fuming, with no outlet for his anger. She really had the nerve to speak to him like that! He wanted to see just how long Chloe could keep this up. Even if they reconciled in the future, he would never forget that she had spent time with another man. There was no way he could just let that go. Julian forced himself to suppress his boiling rage. Just then, a pair of hands slipped around his wrist. He turned to see the woman from earlier, now standing close. “Why leave in such a rush? Want me to give you a ride?” she purred. Her perfume wasn’t to Julian’s taste, but he didn’t push her away. Instead, he pulled her closer, whispering in a low, suggestive voice, “Where do you want to take me?” “Wherever you want to go,” she replied coyly. Julian smiled. If Chloe had the audacity to go after another man, then he could easily find someone else. He wanted to show her that she could never control him. Inside the taxi, Chloe caught a glimpse of Julian and the woman in a tight embrace. She couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. She was laughing at her own foolishness—years of sincere love wasted on someone who clearly didn’t deserve it. Meanwhile, Julian watched as the taxi disappeared from view. His expression shifted from warm to cold, his demeanor completely changed. The woman noticed the sudden shift and was taken aback. "Julian, what’s going on?" If she hadn’t realized by now that Julian was toying with her, she would have been naïve. Without a word, Julian got into his car and drove off. As he did, he called his sister, Ella. “Why are you calling me now? Weren’t you supposed to be on a date?” Ella asked, surprised to hear from him. Julian sneered. “Cut the act. Did you tell Chloe about my meeting today? Why do you always share everything with her? Do you even think? I’m your brother! She has nothing to do with you anymore!” “And don’t think I didn’t notice. You even encouraged her to find another man just to spite me. Whose side are you on, mine or hers?” He unleashed his fury on Ella, leaving her completely bewildered. When had she done any of that? “I didn’t—what are you talking about? I didn’t do any of that!” Ella tried to explain, but before she could say more, Julian hung up. It was clear he had called only to vent his frustration. Staring at her phone, Ella was left feeling confused and frustrated. She considered calling Chloe to clarify but was interrupted by the butler. “Miss, we’ve prepared everything. Would you like to inspect it?” “Alright, let’s go see what you’ve done,” Ella said, deciding to deal with her brother later. She had more important things to handle, especially since these arrangements were for Professor Lauren, and nothing could go wrong. --- Chloe had hired a realtor to help her find a place near H University. She settled on an older apartment, one of the closest to the university, where many students lived. Although the apartment was small and a bit inconvenient—like the supermarket being far away—the location near the university made it perfect for studying and research. From the beginning, Chloe had decided to start fresh, and if that meant things would be a little tough, so be it. Besides, she liked the apartment’s layout and lighting. It was small, but since it was just for her, she didn’t mind. “How do you feel about this place? There’s another one, but it’s farther from the university, though closer to public transportation and supermarkets,” the realtor explained, watching Chloe’s reaction. Chloe smiled and said, “This place is perfect. Let’s sign the contract. I’ll rent it for a year.” The realtor was thrilled and quickly prepared the paperwork. Chloe transferred the rent for the year immediately. With her new home sorted, Chloe was ready to move out of Mia’s apartment. After all, staying with Mia had been a bit inconvenient, especially since Chloe’s presence often disrupted Mia’s routine. She didn’t want to be a burden to her best friend, so moving out was the best option. When Mia came home from work that evening, she found Chloe packing her things. “Are you moving out?” Mia asked, surprised. Over the years, Chloe had stored many of her belongings in Julian’s villa. But now, she was packing everything up, signaling that she truly intended to sever ties with him. Chloe looked up and smiled at Mia, who noticed something different about her friend. The confidence Chloe once had seemed to be returning. “Yeah, I’m starting over. I rented an apartment near H University for a year. I’m moving today, so I won’t be disrupting your life anymore. Plus, I need to focus on studying.” This time, Mia was sure—Chloe was serious about starting over. If she wasn’t, she wouldn’t be so decisive. Mia felt genuinely happy for her friend. Over the years, Chloe had gained nothing from her relationship with Julian. In fact, it had only made her more insecure. Now, the self-assured Chloe was returning, the way she should have been all along. “You’ve made the right choice. But are you sure this is your long-term plan? Or are you just trying to get back at him for now?” Mia asked, still a bit worried. After all, Chloe had made impulsive decisions like this before.