He Treated Me Like a Dog, So I Married a Billionaire

After four long years of devotedly nursing Julian, he finally stood up from his wheelchair.

His boys took turns spamming my phone, begging me to come and witness the miracle. "Chloe, Julian promised he’d propose to you the very second he stood up.

Your dream is finally coming true." But when I dragged my soaking wet self up the mountain road in a torrential downpour, all I found was a crowd of people pointing at me and laughing their heads off.

Julian flicked the ash from his cigarette, sneering. "So what if she's a Harrington? In front of me, she’s nothing but a loyal dog that comes whenever I whistle.

You can't even kick her away." "Don't believe me?

I could make out with Serena right in front of her, and she wouldn't dare say a word." Watching him passionately kiss his childhood friend amid the roaring cheers of the crowd, I silently turned around and walked away.

Julian made a bet with his boys that I’d be crawling back to beg for his forgiveness within seven days.

But the very next day, when he received my wedding invitation, he completely lost his mind.

By the time I finally reached the mountain chalet, Julian and his friends were in the middle of celebrating Serena's birthday.

Through the glass wall, I saw Julian standing right behind Serena. He was leaning down, hands clasped over hers, patiently teaching her how to play pool. "Chloe? I...

I can't believe you actually came." Serena was the first to notice me. She gasped, covering her mouth in mock shock. Only then did the rest of the room turn to look at me.

The moment I got the call from Julian's friend in the middle of the night, I had rushed over without a second thought. Unfortunately, my car broke down halfway up the mountain.

I had no choice but to walk for over an hour in the freezing rain to get here. Even without a mirror, I knew I looked like a drowned rat.

Sure enough, the very next second, a look of deep disgust and irritation flashed in Julian’s eyes. "Chloe, you didn't seriously think you could accept Julian’s proposal looking like a hot mess, did you?" Julian’s friends pointed at me, laughing hysterically.

One of them even nudged Julian, speaking in an exaggerated tone of envy. "Damn, Julian! I didn't know Chloe was this obsessed with you.

One phone call and she runs up a mountain in a storm!" "Man, you're a legend.

How did you keep a wealthy heiress wrapped around your finger for four whole years?" "You better cherish her, bro!" Seeing the scene, Serena gently pulled herself away from Julian’s chest and said softly, "Julian, Chloe must be so excited for your proposal." "After all, she took care of you for four years just for this day.

Now that you can walk, you two can finally be together." Julian stood up, took a cigarette from a friend, and lit it.

Through the rising smoke, his eyes were cold and filled with nothing but contempt. "Weren't you giving me the silent treatment?

Who are you trying to play the victim for with this miserable look?" I looked up at him. Standing on his own two feet, Julian looked completely foreign.

The chalet was warm, and though I desperately tried to hold them back, tears began to stream down my face. Seeing my tears, Julian’s friends realized the joke had gone too far.

They quickly tried to smooth things over. "Hey Julian, you see how much Chloe cares about you.

Why not just make it official tonight?" "Yeah, when you got into that car crash, Chloe never left your side. It's been four years, and she’s still here. Be happy, man.

She’s a Harrington, after all." But those words struck a nerve. "Don't forget, today is Serena's birthday." He sneered, flicking his cigarette ash, and looked at me with pure mockery. "Besides, so what if she's a Harrington?

In front of me, she’s nothing but a dog that comes when called.

You can't even kick her away." He wrapped his arm around Serena’s waist, pulling her back into his chest. "Don't believe me?

I could kiss Serena right in front of her, and she wouldn't dare say a word." With that, he grabbed Serena's chin in front of everyone and crashed his lips onto hers.

Some gasped, while others cheered and whistled, loving the drama. I don't know how long they kissed.

They only parted when Serena was completely breathless, her face flushed red. "Silly girl. You still don't know how to breathe," Julian murmured, his voice thick with affection.

Serena’s face turned even redder as she buried herself in his chest. "Actually... that was my first kiss..." A flash of surprise crossed Julian’s eyes, and he cleared his throat. "Then I'll definitely have to vet any guy you date in the future.

As your protector, it’s my job." Serena’s expression dimmed for a split second. But she quickly recovered, turning to look at me. "Chloe, I'm so sorry.

That was just a penalty card we drew from Truth or Dare. You don't mind, do you?" Her tone was polite, but her eyes were dripping with triumph and malice.

Julian scoffed. "She's not even my girlfriend. Why do you care what she thinks?" That single sentence shattered the last of my doubts.

The truth was, I had found out a week ago that Julian’s legs had fully recovered. When I first heard the news, I was shocked, then furious.

Ever since Julian threw himself in front of a car to save me, leaving him paralyzed, I had been consumed by guilt.

But because of his disability, Julian had always pushed me away, claiming he didn't want to be a burden. So, for four years, I catered to his every whim.

I wanted him to walk again more than anyone else in the world. But he had been recovered for a while. Everyone in his circle knew. I was the only one kept in the dark.

For four years, because he lost his dream of racing, his temper had been incredibly volatile.

And because of my guilt, I endured every single ounce of his rage and childish tantrums.

No matter who was right or wrong, I was always the one to bow my head and beg for forgiveness. This only made him bolder, pushing my boundaries further and further.

But when I saw the video Serena had accidentally posted on her close friends Snapchat story—a video of Julian carrying her on his back while flying kites—something inside me snapped.

I was just so tired. Right then and there, I called my grandfather and agreed to the arranged marriage he had set up for me.

My only reason for coming tonight was to see with my own eyes that he was truly healed. It was my way of finding closure, of putting an end to these four years of torment.

I just didn't expect to see this.

Since he had made it clear we were never officially together, there was no need to even say the words "it's over." This time, seeing him cross the line with Serena, I didn't scream, and I didn't demand answers.

I simply wiped my tears, ignored Julian’s mocking stare, and turned to walk out into the rain. "Is Chloe mad at me? Julian, maybe you should go after her?" Serena whispered.

Even Julian's friends looked uneasy. "Julian, did we go too far this time?" "She looked genuinely heartbroken. Aren't you going to explain?" "Explain what?

It's her fault Julian ended up in a wheelchair in the first place!" one of them muttered, but Julian cut him off. "It's just a kiss," Julian said, his voice laced with irritation. "It's not like she's never had an exboyfriend." "Besides, Serena and I are completely platonic.

If we wanted to be together, we would have been. Why would Chloe even have a chance?" "Leave her be! She does this every time.

She throws a tantrum, threatens to leave, and then crawls back to me every single time." "Want to bet?

I bet you a grand she’ll be back, begging for my attention within seven days." ... Julian’s voice faded as I stepped into the pouring rain.

I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering, unsure of what to do next. Just as I was debating whether to call my family, my phone buzzed. It was a text from him.

I sent him my location. Less than ten minutes later, a sleek black Maybach pulled up smoothly in front of the chalet.

A man in a sharp suit holding a black umbrella stepped out and walked up to me with deep respect. "Miss Harrington, Mr. Sinclair sent me to pick you up.

He has arranged for you to stay at Sinclair Manor tonight."

Sitting in the plush leather seat of the car, I felt a wave of awkwardness wash over me.

Even though that man was soon to be my husband, my only memory of him was a brief glimpse at my grandfather’s birthday gala last year.

He was the undisputed crown jewel of the city's elite—brilliant, powerful, and deeply respected. My grandfather had personally vetted his character.

So when my family brought up the marriage alliance, I didn't refuse. I had fought my family for four years over Julian. I was no longer the rebellious girl I used to be.

It was time to grow up and fulfill my duties. My head started to throb, and my vision blurred. As fever overtook me, I made a silent vow.

If we could get along, I would try to be a good wife. If not, we would live as a polite, distant couple. In our circle, marriages of convenience were purely business anyway.

Everyone was used to it. When I woke up at Sinclair Manor, it was already late the next afternoon.

I couldn't remember how I got to the bedroom, and my wet clothes had been replaced with a clean, luxurious silk pajama set.

Seeing my confusion, Leo, the assistant who had picked me up the night before, stepped forward. "You had a severe fever last night, Miss Harrington.

We had a private doctor treat you, and you're out of danger now." "Mr. Sinclair stopped by this morning to check on you before heading to the office.

He mentioned that if you wish to rest, you are welcome to stay here until the wedding day." So, those faint memories weren't a dream.

I remembered being terribly thirsty in my sleep, and someone gently rubbing my burning forehead, lifting me up to feed me water sip by sip.

And after drinking, I had greedily held onto his hand, refusing to let go. Even though my fever was gone, my cheeks burned at the memory.

I knew how incredibly busy Christian Sinclair was. The fact that he took the time to check on me made me feel deeply apologetic.

I quickly got up, insisting on going home. "Of course.

Since the wedding is just around the corner, please feel free to reach out to me if you need anything at all, Miss Harrington." Leo had already had my car towed and repaired.

I drove down the mountain before sunset. The wedding was being rushed, and it was time for me to go back to my real home.

But before that, I had some important belongings left at Julian's place. The moment I opened the door to Julian's apartment, a thick cloud of vape smoke and alcohol fumes hit me.

I choked, reflexively covering my mouth and taking two steps back. The people in the living room turned at the sound. Julian squinted at me.

When he realized it was me, a smug, mocking laugh escaped his throat.

He kicked his feet up onto the coffee table, looking exactly like a man who had won a bet. "What did I tell you guys? It hasn't even been twentyfour hours.

Chloe, can't you have some selfrespect for once?" I stared at him coldly.

The apartment I used to keep spotlessly clean was now a complete pigsty, filled with Julian’s deadbeat friends. Serena was the only other girl there.

She was wearing a sweet white sundress, looking entirely innocent. "Chloe, Julian was just teaching me how to vape.

Please don't misunderstand him again." I stared at her hand tightly gripping Julian's arm and finally spoke. "The way you're holding onto him makes it look like you're desperate for me to misunderstand." Serena didn't expect me to call her out so directly.

She froze, her lower lip trembling as she looked up at Julian, playing the victim.

Julian instantly roared, "Chloe!" "Why are you taking your anger out on Serena?" He glared at me, his eyes dark with irritation. "Weren't you acting all tough yesterday?

Why are you back here begging for me to take you back before the day is even over?" Seeing him aggressively grab Serena’s hand to keep her by his side, I felt a wave of disgust.

I must have been blind to spend four years with a man like this. Since he loved crossing lines, I didn't see the need to play nice anymore.

I reached into my bag and pulled out a thick, elegant red wedding invitation. "Mr.

Pierce, we were never together, so there is no 'taking back' to speak of." "I only came to get my things. And, of course, to formally invite you to my wedding."

A look of absolute shock flashed across Julian’s face. "Chloe, did I do something wrong to make you act like this?" Serena chimed in, her voice shaking. "Please don't.

If you and Julian are fighting because of me, I'll never forgive myself.

Julian and I have nothing going on, he's just like a big brother to me." "I'll make him apologize to you, okay?

You don't have to make up a fake wedding just to make him jealous." Serena tugged anxiously at Julian’s sleeve. "Julian, hurry up and say something to comfort Chloe." But Julian violently shook her hand off. "Comfort her for what?" His sharp, predatory eyes locked onto mine. "You're threatening me with marriage now?

Chloe, do you have any idea how pathetic you look right now?" I kept my face completely blank as I walked toward my old room. "And do you have any idea how cheap you and your 'little sister' look?" Julian’s enraged shouts echoed in the living room behind me.

I could have sent an assistant to pack my clothes, but there were two things I couldn't trust anyone else with.

One was a designer reception gown that had been delivered a few days ago, and the other was a vintage fountain pen I had cherished for years.

But the moment I opened my bedroom door, my jaw dropped. My wardrobe had been ransacked.

And the gown I had carefully pressed and hung up was thrown carelessly onto the floor, covered in dirt. My eyes swept over the messy vanity table.

Panicking, I searched for the fountain pen. It was gone. Seeing the used eyeshadow palettes and opened lipsticks, I knew instantly who had done this.

I stormed back into the living room, grabbed Serena’s arm, and demanded, "Where are my things?" Serena panicked, stuttering, "What are you talking about?" Her eyes darted around guiltily. "My fountain pen!

Give it back!" My teeth were clenched, my heart hammering against my ribs. It was the first time I had ever shown real anger in front of them.

Frightened by my intensity, Serena whimpered and looked at Julian. "Julian, help me..." Julian immediately stood up and grabbed a silver pen from the coffee table, tossing it carelessly onto the floor. "Let go of Serena!

It's just a stupid pen. Take it and get out!" I let go of Serena without another word, dropping to my knees to pick up the pen like it was the most precious jewel in the world.

I carefully wiped the dust off it. But there were already deep scratches on the barrel. I had been too afraid to even use it all these years, and they had ruined it.

Yet Julian acted like it was nothing.

Serena glanced at the bedroom, a sly smirk playing on her lips. "Chloe, I was only trying to help." "I just went in there to find a pen, and I stumbled upon your little secret." "That gown in your closet is beautiful.

You’ve been planning to marry Julian for a long time, haven't you?

And today, you lied about marrying someone else just to get his attention." "Julian, look how much Chloe loves you.

She went through all this trouble, even printing fake invitations. Let me guess? Is Julian's name printed on the groom's line?" The room erupted into laughter.

Julian’s smug satisfaction reached an alltime high. Right in front of my face, he grabbed the red invitation and tore it to shreds. "Drop the act, Chloe.

This trick doesn't work on me." I clutched the scratched pen tightly in my fist. "You all have a seriously delusional level of confidence.

Julian, I will settle every single debt we owe each other, down to the last penny." "From this moment on, we are absolutely nothing to each other." I turned to leave, but Julian grabbed my wrist with a iron grip.

He pulled me close, his voice dripping with venom. "Oh yeah?

Why don't you bring this mystery groom of yours out so we can all have a look?" But before he could pull me closer, a powerful hand gripped his wrist, forcing him to let me go. "Mr.

Pierce, putting your hands on another man's bride is incredibly bad manners."