Chapter 4
Over the next few days, news of Zayn dating Megan spread like wildfire across campus. Everyone knew the talented dancer was now dating the heir to the Peyton family fortune. Zayn treated her like a queen, showering her with luxury bags, spending money on her, attending classes with her, and taking her on lavish dates. This drew envious glances and mocking whispers directed at Julie. Julie ignored them, but the rumors eventually reached her mother.
Julie was job hunting in Nordenburgh when her mother called. “Hey, Mom—” she began, but was cut off by a barrage of sharp questions. “What’s going on between you and Zayn? You’d better not ruin our partnership, or you’ll be in big trouble!” Julie sighed wearily. “Mom, he’s with someone else; we’ve broken up.” “You should be used to this by now. Just suck up to him like usual.” Gripping her phone tightly, Julie felt a lump in her throat and a pain in her chest. After a sigh, she murmured, “Mom, it’s different this time. It’s really over.” “You useless piece of shit! How could you lose him? I don’t care how you do it. Grovel if you have to, but just—” Julie’s heart ached, and she cut her mother off. “Mom, I’m planning to move to Nordenburgh—” Her mother’s sharp voice cut her short. “Move? Don’t even think about getting rid of us! You’re never leaving this family. You owe—” Julie hung up. She didn’t need to hear the rest; she knew what was coming. Ever since the accident that left her father in a coma, she knew she would carry her family’s burden for life.
“Julie, what’s going on with you and Zayn? He’s been parading around campus with Megan lately,” her roommate, Amaya Shaw, asked, applying eyeliner. Putting away her phone, Julie replied, “We broke up.” Amaya smirked. “How many days will you hold out this time?” Julie choked. As a close friend, Amaya knew their messy history. Initially, she’d advised Julie to leave Zayn, but eventually gave up when Julie kept returning. “It’s real this time. I’m done with him.” Amaya seemed unconvinced. Grabbing her bag, she said, “If you say so. I have a few interviews today, so I’ll catch you later.”
On Saturday, Julie’s mother called again, ordering her to attend a Peyton family banquet that afternoon. Julie knew this was her mother’s attempt to reconcile her with Zayn. Julie didn’t expect to see Megan there. Seeing Zayn with Megan, introducing her to his parents, made it clear how serious he was. Julie planned to leave after greeting the elders, but Zayn stopped her. “Didn’t you say you were leaving Harbor City for good? What are you doing here, then?” Zayn sneered. Before she could reply, Megan beamed and took her hand. “You don’t mind me dating Zay-Zay, do you, Julie?” Julie ignored her and smiled at Zayn. “Congrats.” His expression darkened. He expected her to plead with him, but her calm demeanor frustrated him. “She has no right to mind; we’re nothing to each other! Ugh, the sight of her makes me sick.” He left, hand-in-hand with Megan. Megan dropped the fake smile. She showed off a sparkling diamond bracelet. “See this, Julie? Zay-Zay got it for me.” Julie paused, then smiled. “It is pretty.” “Isn’t it? I just love it! He had it custom-made for me,” Megan said. “I heard he never bought you anything in all the years you two were together. Is that true?” Julie looked away. Megan wasn’t wrong. Zayn had never spent money on her in three years. She considered it a blessing. Mistaking her silence for sadness, Megan’s smile widened. “You can tell that he loves me, can’t you? So, stay away from him from now on.” Julie lifted her head and nodded. Megan leaned in. “I could use a favor from you to truly end things between you two.” Julie stared. “What kind of favor?” Megan glanced at the pool. “I wonder how Zay-Zay would react if he saw you push me into the water? He knows I can’t swim—” Before she finished, Julie kicked her into the pool. There was a loud splash, followed by Megan’s screams. “Help! I-I can’t swim!” Julie watched calmly. With a small smile, she said, “If I’m going to take the blame anyway, I might as well do it myself. At least this way, I don’t have to hold back.” Someone had told her not to suppress her anger. People rushed over, and Zayn leaped into the pool, pulling Megan out and wrapping his jacket around her. He glared at Julie. “How could you be so cruel, Julie? She can’t swim, yet you pushed her in!” Julie met his gaze calmly. “She asked me to do it. She wanted to make sure things were truly over between us, so I simply did as she asked.” Zayn froze. Megan panicked. Tears streaming down her face, she stammered, “I-I wouldn’t do that.” Zayn scowled. “Apologize to my girlfriend right this instant.” The tension rose. Megan played the distraught victim, clutching Zayn’s arm. “Forget it, Zay-Zay. I’m sure she didn’t mean to.” He sneered, “You’re too nice, Meg.” To Julie, he growled, “Apologize now, or don’t blame me for what happens next.” Julie met his icy glare fearlessly. “Like I said, she asked for it. So, why should I apologize?” “Are you fucking deaf? I told you to apologize!” he roared.
Before anyone reacted, a playful voice cut through the tension. “Wow, what’s with the crowd? A town hall meeting?” Julie gasped, her eyes widening. She turned to see a man approaching. The bright light behind him obscured his features, but she heard murmurs. “When did the youngest son of the Fuller family return?” “He’s probably here to take over the family business.” “Yeah, I heard his father is handing everything over to him.” The man approached, stopping before Julie.