My Ex-Boyfriend Regretted It After We Broke Up Chapter 5

I glanced at the landlord, who looked terrified the sale would fall through. I was about to hang up, but Julian softened his tone.

"Chloe, look, I know you're mad I forgot your birthday. I admit, that was my fault. I was busy with the merger. I thought your birthday was next month."

"Wait until I get back from Switzerland. Once Sienna’s heart condition is treated, I’ll make it up to you. Hermes bag? Cartier bracelet? You pick."

I listened quietly until he finished.

"You misunderstand. I'm not angry. I don't need any compensation. You just need to know one thing: You and I are over."

I hung up and handed the phone back to the landlord.

I told him if that number called again, to report it to the police as harassment.

I signed the contract, finished the paperwork, and got the deed to my own apartment.

I took a photo to commemorate the moment, then immediately left to meet a friend.

I stayed out until 10 PM. When I got home, I offered to walk the dog for my dad.

As I pushed open the gate and stepped onto the street, a tall, familiar shadow blocked my path.

It was Julian. He hadn't boarded that plane.

"Chloe..."

I tightened the leash and took a step back, my face tense. "Don't come any closer."

Stung by my indifference, Julian frowned and stepped forward anyway.

He opened his mouth to speak, but my Golden Retriever went berserk, barking and snapping at him to protect me.

Julian ignored the dog. He cornered me against the red brick wall, staring at me under the streetlights.

"We need to talk. I don't want any misunderstandings."

I frowned. "There is nothing to talk about."

He planted one hand on the wall, trapping me. "Chloe, did you forget we’re getting married? You think a flimsy 'break up' text gets rid of me? What do you take me for?"

I was too exhausted to argue. I tried to push him away twice, but he wouldn't budge.

The dog lunged and sank its teeth into his calf. Julian grunted in pain but didn't back off.

The barking was waking up the neighbors. Lights were flickering on.

I didn't want to alert my parents or the police, so I had to compromise.

Thirty minutes later.

We were in a 24-hour retro diner. Julian ordered two black coffees.

One was sugar-free with extra ice. He pushed it toward me.

"See, Chloe? I remember what you like."

I blinked, trying not to laugh.

Everyone—my parents, my friends—knew I hated bitter things.

We only kept black coffee at home because Julian liked it.

As for the extra ice? I only did that because the melting ice diluted the bitterness so I could tolerate it.

He had become strangely talkative in the two days we’d been apart.

"About your birthday, I apologize. I messed up the dates. But I bought you a gift a long time ago."

He pulled a velvet box from his suit pocket.

When I didn't reach for it, he pressed his thin lips together and opened it himself, revealing a pair of dazzling, expensive crystal earrings.