Jotham arrived with the officers, his eyes frantically scanning the scene until they landed on Julie standing by the police car. Without a second thought, he sprinted toward her, his heart pounding in his chest. She saw him and broke into a run, colliding into his arms. He wrapped her up tightly, his breath uneven.
“Julie,” he whispered hoarsely. “God, I thought I lost you.”
She clung to him, burying her face in his shoulder. The terror of the past hours melted under the strength of his embrace. “I’m okay. I’m safe now.”
Jotham pulled back, his hands trembling as they cupped her face. His eyes were dark with guilt and anguish. “I’m sorry, I didn’t protect you. I let Murray get too close. I should’ve seen the signs—”
Julie shook her head firmly, cutting him off. “None of this is your fault. Murray made his own choices. Don’t carry this.”
“But I let you down,” he insisted. “I was so caught up in clearing my name that I didn’t think about how vulnerable that made you. I should’ve protect
