Men's promises truly were the most ridiculous jokes in the world.

Violet leaned in and kissed Harry's cheek. "You deserve so much better."

I had heard that exact line from countless women over the years. In the past, it would have sent me into a rage, shouting and arguing with Harry.

Now my heart was already numb. I could almost laugh at how ridiculous it all was.

I sat down on the sofa opposite them, slowly removed the huge diamond ring from my finger, and slid it across the coffee table.

"If you're tired of me, then let's end it properly. This isn't a breakup. It's the cancellation of our engagement," I said calmly.

When I leaned forward, my robe slipped, revealing the marks on my neck. Harry's smug expression vanished in an instant.

"What's that on your neck? Did you cheat on me?" he asked sharply.

The accusation sounded utterly laughable coming from him. I touched a mark on my collarbone, then tilted my head. "Well, a new lover does tend to make the old one feel completely irrelevant."

Harry scowled, sitting up straight. His lips pressed together, and his eyes brewed a storm. "Who was it?"

I gave him the fakest smile I could manage. "Why would that concern you? You're done with me, and I'm done with you. You have your new woman. I have someone who wants me. Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

He studied my face, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Then he laughed, "Nice try. You're just using reverse psychology to make me realize I'd be losing something valuable, right? Fine. Let me prove how little I care."

He arched an eyebrow, an unreadable smirk playing on his lips. Then he reached out his hand, grabbed Violet by the back of her neck, and pulled her into a passionate kiss, the wet sounds filling the room.

I laughed, but tears rolled down my cheeks. I wasn't sad, just feeling regretful to waste seven years of my life on a scumbag like that.

Just then, Emilio's voice cut through the air. "Harry?"

The pair pulled away from each other. Harry cringed, but the real awkwardness came from the group of people behind Emilio.

They were dressed in black, carrying a coffin. At the very back, two people were holding Harry's portrait.

I realized then why Emilio had left so early that morning. Because I had declared Harry dead, he had brought people from the funeral home to help set everything up.

The scene was completely surreal, but it felt perfect.

"We thought you had met with an accident," Emilio said evenly. "After discussing it with Father, we decided you deserved a grand send-off."

I was surprised that he said "we".

Harry turned livid, but he could direct his anger at the funeral staff. "What are you staring at? I'm not dead, so get lost!"

Emilio remained composed, signaling his assistant to hand me a document. "My father said that Harry's disappearance must have been a huge blow to you. So, this villa and all the assets previously frozen under Harry's name are now transferred to you unconditionally. If you have no objections, please sign here."

"What the hell?" Harry shouted, shooting to his feet. "I'm alive, standing right here."

He rushed over to Emilio, displaying the authority of the elder brother. Emilio was unfazed, his face serene with an inscrutable smile. "This is Father's order. This agreement was originally for Julia to sign. And since you're back, take a look at this file."

He had his assistant bring another document. I looked over, realizing it was a contract to annul the engagement.

"Sign this, and you two are done," he added.

"Don't even think about it!" Harry bellowed, tearing the annulment agreement into shreds. "Only I get to leave you, Julia. You do not get to humiliate me like this!"

"Me? Humiliating you?" I laughed out loud. "You brought your mistress into my house to insult me. How many women have you cheated with over the years? If it's not 100, it's at least 50. Don't you want freedom? Here it is. If you don't want to lose the villa, then buy it from me. Or is the future head of the Nolan Group too broke for that?"

Harry lost his tongue, his face flushed red with shame. At the same time, Violet's smirk vanished, replaced by panic.

She grabbed his arm, urging him, "Sign it! Then we'll get married. That bracelet you gave me is a promise. You can't back out now."

Glancing at the bracelet, Emilio raised a brow and stayed silent.

But Harry shook Violet's hand off, pointing at me. "I know exactly what game you're playing. Ten days, Julia. I'll give you ten days to come crawling back. When you do, I'll still take you as my wife."

I wiped the cold tears from my cheeks. "You really think I'm still the pathetic woman who came running every time you snapped your fingers?"

There were always women circling him. Because of that, I had fought with him countless times, threatening to leave him for good.

He'd just stand there with a poker face, telling people not to stop me. "Let her go. Let's see how long she lasts without me."

And sure enough, after only a few hours, I'd crumble and go back to him, swallowing my pride.

He'd then brag to his friends, "See? Clingier than a stray dog."

But this time, I refused to be his pet again. Turning to Emilio, I asked, "This house is mine now, right?"

"Yes," he replied.

"Perfect." I clapped my hands. "Bring everything inside."

The funeral staff exchanged uncertain looks, and Emilio said quietly, "Do as she says."

I led them through every room of the house. "Put flowers in every corner and change the portrait to one of Harry and me together. Today, I am holding a funeral for this toxic, seven-year, betrayal-filled relationship. If anyone dares try to resurrect it, may they suffer for the rest of their lives."

Harry stared at me, stunned by my boldness. Beside him, Violet yelped, "Ouch! Harry, you're hurting me!"

He released her hand that was turning purple from his grip. His chest heaved with anger. "You'll regret this, Julia! One day, you'll come crawling back and beg me not to leave!"

He spun around, storming toward the door. Passing Emilio, he paused and muttered, "Find out who she slept with. I want to know what kind of man makes her act this insane."

Emilio lowered his gaze. "Alright."

...

The next few days without Harry's constant harassment felt like heaven. I slept for three straight days to make up for the nights I had spent terrified while he was missing.

But my peace was short-lived. On the fourth day, the shameless man showed up again, holding a bouquet of roses so enormous it nearly swallowed him whole, along with bags of luxury gifts.

"Honey, you've been angry long enough," he said smoothly. "You've coaxed me back hundreds of times. Let me be the one to coax you this time, okay?"

"Please forgive me," Harry pleaded.

I crossed my arms, letting out a cold, humorless laugh. "Aren't you afraid that going back on your own curse will bring you bad karma?"

I slammed the door in his face, but he refused to leave. "Stop being so petty. I already got rid of Violet. What else do you need me to do? You forgave me every other time. Why not this time? I was just playing around with those women. I never loved any of them. I only love you."

That was total crap.

For seven years, he had trampled over my feelings again and again, convinced that I would always follow behind him, waiting for him to turn back, but my patience had finally run out.

I lay back on the bed, closed my eyes, and ignored the noise he made outside. Then somehow, he forced his way in and burst into my bedroom.

He grabbed my wrist with a vice-like grip. His other hand was holding the bracelet he had taken back from Violet, and he tried to force it onto me.

I struggled fiercely, knocking the bracelet out of his hand. It fell to the floor with a sharp clink and shattered.

He froze, then his hand flew up and cracked across my face. "Do you have any idea how much that was worth?"

My ear rang, and my cheek burned. Never had I expected him to hit me.

I tasted iron but refused to back down. A sarcastic smile, one that he hated most, curled up my lips. "No matter how valuable it is, once another woman has worn it, it becomes trash. Just like you."

His eyes burned with rage. "Listen carefully! The marriage contract between the Nolan and the Hardin families is still valid. You will marry me, or you will marry no one."

"Pathetic!" I spat at him, laughing coldly. "Is your family really so desperate that only you can carry the name?"

That sentence was the final straw. All the anger he had been holding in exploded. He lunged at me, pinning me down in a crazed frenzy.

"You mean Emilio? What makes him better than me?" he hissed. "You are mine. Any child you ever carry will be mine!"

Now the truth was crystal clear. He didn't want me back because he loved me. He only wanted the heir required to secure his inheritance.

"Don't touch me! Get out!" I yelled.

But he was like possessed, tearing at my clothes with wild desperation. "Why are you still pretending now? So superior? That face of yours tied me down for seven damn years!"

I fought desperately, but three days without food or water had left me weak. My struggles couldn't budge him even in the slightest.

Despair consumed me. I could no longer scream.

Then suddenly, the weight was gone from my body. A tall figure appeared, yanking Harry back and throwing him to the floor.

Emilio stepped forward and punched him without hesitation. "Harry, you went too far!"

Harry spat blood onto the floor, trying to rise and fight back, but the sight of Emilio's angry face deterred him.

Harry gritted his teeth, knowing he was no match for Emilio, who was a good boxer. "Since when do you get to lecture me? Did you find out who Julia's lover is?"

Ignoring him, Emilio strode to me, removed his jacket, and gently draped it over my shaking shoulders.