Chapter 17

Standing in the room all alone, a sense of timidity washed over Julia as all she could think of was Caspian's peck on her cheek. Her hand trailed to feel her cheek, and she couldn't help but shut her eyes briefly, trying to take in the warm feeling.

His words to her, how he called her "princess," how he acted towards her—it was all so sweet, sending tingling feelings down her spine. She wished it would never end, which is why she knew she had to leave with him.

Her eyes darted to the beautiful, fancy dress placed on Liam's bed. Caspian and Dominic had taken her boy out so she could get ready for the welcome party.

"It's so beautiful," she mumbled as she trailed her hand over every stitch on the dress, a smile curling up on her lips.

Soon, she lifted it from the bed and got dressed immediately. After a few minutes of admiring herself, she walked towards the door. As she pulled it open, she was met with Caspian's stunning gaze fixed on her.

"Mommy, you are so beautiful!" Little Liam praised as he left Caspian and ran over to where Julia stood, embracing her with his arms wrapped around her waist.

He couldn't stop giggling, and this made Julia smile. Seeing her son so excited was all that mattered. As she kept caressing his hair, Caspian, who was stunned by her beauty, slowly walked up to her, his eyes never leaving her.

She raised her gaze to meet his, and at that moment, she felt nervous and uncomfortable. She could feel her palms sweating as she stood close to his charming figure.

"Daddy, don't you like it?" Liam asked, noticing how silent they both were.

"No, Liam..." Caspian walked even closer and, stretching out his hand to Julia so she could take it, he said, "I love it. Princess, you look elegantly stunning in your red dress."

Julia blushed as she took hold of his hand, and without another word, Caspian led her out of the hospital and to the car, leaving Liam with Dominic.

The second they got to the car park, he helped her open the door, as a gentleman should. Logan had never done anything this sweet for Julia, so it made her feel so loved.

Climbing into the car and shutting the door, Dominic ignited the engine before they sped away. They were already late, and Caspian's uncle wouldn't like that.

As they drove to the venue, Julia couldn't help but sense Caspian's lingering gaze on her. It was intense, and it made her swallow nervously.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally got to the venue. Julia was about to climb out of the car herself, but Caspian stopped her.

"I'll get the door for you. Pretty ladies shouldn't do that themselves," he mumbled softly, but Julia shook her head, refusing his offer.

"No... I'm fine, and I know this might sound crazy, but please, I'd like to go in there myself with Liam. I don't think I want to draw attention or cause any rumors yet," Julia pleaded, and Caspian immediately understood.

It would be greedy of him to want to cause harm rather than good for Julia, considering the fact that he was the talk of the city and almost every lady wanted him in their arms.

"Fine, but promise you'll be safe?" he asked, and she nodded.

With a smile on her lips, she pushed the door open. Climbing out, she took hold of Liam's right hand, and they walked into the fancy building. Liam was happy to be there, and she liked it.

Just as promised, Caspian came into the place a few minutes later so as not to raise any suspicions. He greeted all the important guests before he was called upon.

"Caspian Michaelson, why don't you come up here and say a few words to us for coming here today to welcome you?" the chief host announced, and cheers filled the place as they all turned to Caspian.

With a smile, he walked up to the podium and began his speech. Julia admired him as he spoke; his every word meant something to her, and she was lost in her own world of hallucinations.

Julia was so focused on what Caspian was saying that she didn't realize when Liam left her side and walked over to the table where there were cakes, food, wine, and sweets. He loved all these things, and seeing that he didn't want to disturb his mother, he decided to get them himself.

As he munched on the cakes, he nodded his head. Things were going pretty well for him when, out of the blue, Amelia stormed up to him.

She snatched Liam's hand, fear evident on his face at that moment. "You thief! What the hell do you think you're doing here?" she shouted, drawing the attention of those nearby.

"I... I didn't steal anything, I just wanted cakes! Now let me go, you evil witch!" Liam kicked her leg, making her groan in pain.

"How dare you!" She slapped him so hard that he fell to the ground and began to cry.

That was when Julia realized that her son was missing, that he wasn't anywhere near her anymore.

"Liam?" She panicked as she looked around the place, trying to catch a glimpse of him. At that moment, she caught sight of men and women gathered around the food table and a little boy crying for his mommy.

"Oh, Liam." She hurriedly ran towards the place, and passing through the crowd, she found her son on the ground and Amelia standing defiantly above him.

Julia ran over to her son, helping him up and dusting off his clothes. "Are you okay, Liam?" she asked in a concerned and worried tone.

"She slapped and pushed me, Mommy... she called me a thief too." Liam kept crying as he explained.

Turning to Amelia, Julia couldn't believe it. This was the one thing she was trying to avoid, but Amelia just wouldn't respect herself.

"What has gotten into you, Amelia? Why would you punish a little boy because of your jealousy and insecurity?" Julia questioned with a firm tone, her fists clenching tightly as she glared at her.

"Jealousy?" Amelia scoffed. "Catching your bastard stealing cakes is now called jealousy?" she sneered, provoking Julia even more.

"Watch your tongue, Amelia. I won't tolerate any insults towards my son!"

"But isn't he a bastard without a father, and you a whore?" Amelia went on and on, making the crowd mumble amongst themselves.

"Liam has a father, Amelia, so quit your nonsense!" Julia warned, but Amelia still didn't stop.

"A father?" She scoffed as she walked closer to them, a sneer on her lips. "If he has a father, then where is he? Who the hell is his father?" she shouted at the top of her lungs, and just then, a deep, resonating voice echoed through the music and Amelia's nagging.

"I am his father," Caspian declared as he walked through the crowd with an aura of authority and power.