MasukJulian didn't move for a moment.He just stayed there staring at her while trying to convince himself that his brain was playing tricks on him. But, Serena's chest continued to rise and fall beside him and her overly familiar perfume felt very real and present in the air around him.The longer he stared, the more certain he became that this was not something he was imagining.He sat up slowly and ran a hand over his face.Did she really come back? He was sure he heard her leave the house and had spent the rest of the day rejoicing in his win only for her to return and even worse, lie on his bed!He looked at her again and felt a slow anger begin to build somewhere behind his ribs.He reached over and shook her shoulder. "Serena."He reached over and shook her shoulder firmly. "Serena."She stirred almost immediately, which told him she hadn't been fully asleep to begin with. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, her eyes holding no sign of sleep. Then, they smiled softly, acting a
The house felt different now that Serena was gone.Julian had stayed upstairs for almost two hours after walking away from her, giving her enough time to pack her things and leave. When he finally came back downstairs, her bag was gone from the chair where she had dropped it and she was nowhere to be found.He stood in the middle of the living room for a moment, looking at the slave where she had been kneeling hours ago. Then, he let out a long, slow breath.She was gone.This time, from his house. In a few days, it would be gone from his life.He rolled his sleeves up, went to the kitchen, poured himself a glass of water, and pulled out his phone.Zane picked up on the second ring. "You alive?""I have good news," Julian said.There was a brief pause. "How good?""Good good." Julian chuckled. "Are you free?""I'm always free for good news," Zane said. "You want to meet at the usual place? I could use a drink honestly, it's been a long week.""No drinks," Julian said. "I want to keep
It was late in the evening in New York and the hotel suite was quiet except for the soft him of the air conditioning and the distant sound of traffic from the street below.Sophia was curled up on the couch with her legs tucked beneath her, her phone pressed to her ear and a bowl of ice cream in her free hand.“So how is my princess?” The masculine voice on the other end asked. “Has she been asking questions again?”Sophia smiled. “You know Aria. She asks about forty questions before breakfast and then starts again after lunch. But she’s good. She loves the hotel pool so that keeps her busy during the day.”“And you?” There was a pause. “How are you really doing, Soph?”She pulled her knees closer to her chest and looked at the window. The city lights were doing what they always did, looking beautiful from a distance. “I’m okay,” she said, and when he didn’t respond she added, “I mean it. I’m managing.”“You’re in the same city as your ex-husband,” he said gently. “That’s not nothing
The Vale mansion was quieter than usual the next morning.Serena had spent most of the night pacing anxiously around her room, replaying every word she had heard from Anthony’s room and trying to come up with a plan to ensure she remained in Julian’s life.By the time the sun came up, she had made a decision.She wasn’t going to let Julian see that she was rattled by her new findings. She was going to walk to the breakfast table looking perfect and act like everything was completely fine.And that was exactly what she did.She came down in a cream silk blouse tailored trousers, and Silvia had provided the night before, her charming smile already plastered on her face.Julian was already seated at the table when she arrived and Anthony and Silvia were both present.“Serena, dear.” Silvia greeted calmly as she watched her walk towards them.“Good morning, mother,” Serena replied pleasantly, grinning wider as she pulled out a chair, sat down, and reached for the orange juice.“Good morni
Anthony stared at his son, nearly piercing into his soul with his sharp gaze.Julian’s heart was beating so fast he was sure he might pass out soon. Still, he continued. He hadn’t come this far just to give up now.“I know I’ve hurt her,” Julian admitted quietly. “I know I don’t deserve another chance.”His throat tightened slightly. “But I have to try.”He shook his head slowly. “I can’t ask for her forgiveness while planning a wedding with Serena.”His voice cracked just enough to reveal how much the words hurt. “That wouldn’t be fair to her. Or Serena, actually. It won’t be fair to anyone.”Anthony continued to stare at him like he was waiting for him to finish before speaking.Julian continued anyway. “I know ending this engagement could affect the family.”He drew in another slow breath. “ I know there may be financial consequences and even our reputation might take a hit.”Another pause followed.“But, I will take responsibility for everything. I’ll face the backlash from the in
Julian stopped outside his father’s bedroom and took a deep breath, his hand hovering over the door for a second before he finally knocked. His heart wasn’t racing anymore, but there was still a knot in his stomach, reminding him that this conversation could change everything. He had only one shot at this, and he didn’t want to mess things up.“Come in.” Anthony’s calm voice called from inside.Julian pushed the door open and stepped inside, finding his father sitting comfortably on a leather couch near the window. He held a book in his hands while a pair of reading glasses sat low on his nose as he quietly turned another page.Silvia stepped in behind Julian and reached for his hand before he could take another step. She squeezed it gently, offering him a reassuring smile that helped ease some of the tension in his chest.“You’ll be fine,” she whispered, giving his hand another squeeze. “Just say what you’ve been wanting to say.”Julian nodded, appreciating her support more than anyt
His name appeared boldly on her screen. Julian. She stared at it for a while before turning to Lara and then holding out her phone to show her the screen. "What do you want to do?" Lara asked, hoping her friend wouldn't forget everything she had been through and return to Julian all in the name
Julian's eyes widened as soon as the words left the maid's lips.Even though Sophie had said she would be leaving, he didn't expect her to actually go through with it.He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair as he tried to shake the feeling away. Sophie had left before. This wouldn't be
Sophie sat quietly in the living room, her hands resting on her lap as she stared at nothing in particular. The dining table was set a few feet away, the food long gone cold. She had prepared everything hours ago, carefully arranging each dish the way she always did, even though a part of her alrea
Sophie didn't have to turn to know who it was. Her body had already reacted before her mind could catch up.It was that same voice that haunted her for over twenty years.She didn't turn. Not yet. Instead, she looked at Julian. Her heart shattered into a million pieces when she saw the look in his







