I Was Just His Secret Game

Chapter 7 The Cost of Indifference

In the darkness, Julian stared at the ceiling, restless and unsettled.

He pulled out his phone and opened the photo album. Serena had always thought he avoided taking pictures with her to keep their relationship secret. She didn't know that he only ever wanted to fit her alone in every frame.

In his cloud account, there was a private, encrypted album with hundreds of her photos. From eighteen to twenty-eight, from youthful innocence to full maturity.

He watched her grow, slowly becoming exactly the person he desired. Yet over the past year, the light in her eyes had been fading bit by bit.

Julian closed his eyes, then got out of bed.

Evelyn stirred, a flicker of unease crossing her expression, but her voice remained soft behind him. "Where are you going?"

"Smoking," he replied.

He stepped onto the balcony and lit a cigarette, holding it loosely between his fingers, letting it burn in the wind.

His phone vibrated. An assistant had sent a message.

Assistant: Mr. Shaw, Miss Quinn had a car accident. She's at Havenport Central City Hospital and hasn't been discharged yet. Do you want to go?

Julian's fingers trembled as the ash fell onto his hand, scalding him.

He dialed back immediately.

Julian: What happened? Is it serious?

Assistant: I'm not sure, only that it happened this afternoon. 911 took her away. Should I check the details?

Julian: Check it. Go now.

After hanging up, Julian stood on the balcony for a long time. The night wind was cold, tugging at his temples. He couldn't stop recalling the scene outside Shaw Holdings earlier that day—Serena lying in a pool of blood.

Evelyn had been by his side, and he had made a choice: tend to a woman he could summon and dismiss at will, or stay with the fiancée he was about to get engaged to. He had chosen the latter.

Yet now, his chest was tight with unease.

The phone rang again. This time it was Evelyn's mother.

"Julian, Evelyn fainted while trying on her wedding dress. The doctor says her heart isn't strong, and she needs rest. Do you want to postpone next week's engagement party?"

Julian pressed his fingers to his brow. "I'll follow Evelyn's wishes."

"Sigh, you spoil her too much. By the way, I heard you've been involved with that Serena again? Julian, playing around is one thing, but don't take it seriously. Evelyn has liked you since she was a child. If you hurt her, the Sutton family won't let it slide."

Julian's eyes went cold. "I can handle my personal affairs myself."

"That's good. Oh, and accompany Evelyn to her checkup tomorrow. I'm worried leaving her alone."

After hanging up, Julian looked out at the dark cityscape and recalled a winter night many years ago. It was Serena's birthday. He had promised to be with her but was called away by his father and didn't get free until late at night.

By the time he drove to her tiny rented apartment, she was asleep. On the table was a small cake and a cold dinner.

He shook her awake. She rubbed her eyes and said, "You're back. The cake isn't cut yet."

It was the cheapest store-bought cake, sickeningly sweet, yet she ate it with her eyes squinting, saying it was the best birthday cake she had ever had. Later he learned she had spent half a month's allowance on it.

"Fool," Julian muttered under his breath, unsure whether he was scolding her or himself.

The phone rang again. He answered, seeing his assistant's name, but his face drained the next second.

"You said who had a miscarriage?"