Chapter 5

Willow knew that once she spoke the truth, there would be no turning back between her and Julian.

But when disappointment had built up to its breaking point, one would throw caution to the wind and let go of everything.

Looking up at the man she had once loved so deeply, she was ready to peel open her wounds and expose them completely before him.

When she spoke, her heart ached so much it felt numb. "Don't bother making any decisions, Julian. I don't want my position in Nebula Group or even the title anymore. Because I can't—"

She never got to finish because Julian's phone rang.

His eyes stayed locked on her face as he answered. On the other end, Esther's urgent voice came through. "Mr. Ziegler, Ms. Burke is in critical condition. You need to come now."

"Okay."

Julian hung up and turned to Willow. "We'll talk later."

Without another word, he strode to his black Rolls-Royce, ready to leave.

Willow stood frozen in place. A gust of night wind swept past, chilling her to the bone.

At first, she whispered his name. Then she raised her voice. And finally, she screamed, emptying every ounce of sorrow into her words, "Julian Ziegler! Can't you even give me one damn minute? Four years of marriage, and I'm not worth hearing out for one minute?"

His hand rested on the car door as he replied coldly, "We'll talk after Catherine is stable."

The engine roared to life. And then, he was gone.

The night was as cold as water, yet it was nothing compared to the freezing hollowness inside her.

Willow stared into the darkness where Julian had disappeared and finally finished the sentence he never let her say. "I can't have children, Julian."

The wind howled around her. She said it again, "I can't have children!"

Each time she said it, it was like striking a whip against her own past love and mocking the foolish devotion she had given him.

She had given him her youth, her everything. But to Julian, she was worth nothing.

Her pain and heartbreak had never mattered to him.

Suddenly, she wanted to break free and rid herself of the chains that had bound her as Mrs. Ziegler. After tonight, she would no longer be Julian's wife. She would just be Willow Harper. And she would live for herself.

Willow lowered her head and stared at the ridiculous suit she was wearing.

In the business world, Julian needed it. But outside of it, he found it dull and uninteresting. Now, even Willow felt its restraints were laughable. She had actually believed that catering to a man could earn her love.

What a joke.

…

When Annie arrived, Willow had already discarded her blazer.

The top two buttons of her silk blouse were undone, revealing a small glimpse of fair skin. Her long hair cascaded down her slender back, exuding an effortless allure.

Leaning against the car, she stretched out her long, slender legs. She turned to Annie and asked softly, "Got a cigarette? I want one."

Annie felt a sting in her nose.

She had been Willow's secretary for four years. She knew better than anyone how much Willow had loved Julian. And now, she was watching her fall apart.

Annie didn't have cigarettes, but she found a way to get a pack.

Willow had never smoked before.

The first inhale burned her throat, making her cough until tears welled up in her eyes.

Amid the choking haze of smoke, she smiled through her tears, breaking her love for Julian into shards of hate and piercing them deep into her bones.

…

For the first time, Willow let loose.

The dim lighting and intoxicating atmosphere draped everything in decadence.

Willow was completely wasted. She didn't care about Julian's opinion or the Ziegler family's rules anymore. None of it mattered now.

Slumped over the bar, she tapped her glass, signaling the bartender for another round.

Before he could pour, a hand reached out, pressing down on her glass. Following that, a tall, imposing figure took the seat beside her.

It was Jeffrey.

Jeffrey Gibson from Gibson Legal Group.

His dark eyes held a thoughtful glint as he studied Willow intently. She was even more uninhibited and alluring than last time. Her body, seemingly boneless, lay draped over the bar. With two buttons undone on her blouse, a hint of soft, tempting skin was easily visible.

She had really soft skin.

Jeffrey's gaze darkened. After a moment, he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

Startled, she looked up at him.

Under the flickering bar lights, she met his deep, unreadable eyes. It felt like staring into an abyss.

Jeffrey's voice was cool and detached. "You've had too much to drink. Let me take you home."

Willow leaned back against the bar, staring at him with unfocused eyes. He was surprised to notice the subtle allure in the curve of her eyes. It was an enticing charm usually hidden beneath her usual restrained attire.

Her voice was slurred, stripped of its usual poise. "Who the hell are you? Why should I go with you?"

There was no reasoning with a drunk woman.

Jeffrey pulled out his wallet and placed a wad of cash on the counter. Without another word, he scooped Willow into his arms.

She struggled instinctively, but he held her firmly. His tone was harsh, as if he were speaking to a criminal. "Unless you want your face all over the news tomorrow, leave with me. Now."

Willow found herself trapped in his hold.

Her cheek rested against the crook of Jeffrey's neck, and his skin burned against hers. Uncomfortable, she shifted slightly, moving her face to his shoulder instead. The thin layer of his shirt provided some distance, and she felt a little more at ease.

But still, she protested, "Put me down, Jeffrey."

In the parking lot, neon lights shimmered. The stars were barely visible above.

As Jeffrey looked down at the woman in his arms, a strange glint flickered in his eyes. Willow knew it was him.

But he quickly pushed down that fleeting emotion. He hadn't forgotten that Willow was Julian's wife—not a woman he could indulge in a fleeting romance with.

Five minutes later, he tossed Willow into the passenger seat.

She leaned against the leather seat with her eyes closed. Her face looked pale. As she slept, she looked utterly fragile.

Jeffrey glanced at her twice before pulling out his phone to call Julian.

Both of Julian's phones were turned off.

Jeffrey figured it had something to do with Catherine. Why else would Willow be this wasted? He was about to call Esther when Willow suddenly woke up.

She reached out and slapped the phone out of his hand. "I don't want to go home."

Her head tilted back slightly, and her chest rose and fell with each uneven breath. The silky fabric of her blouse shifted with her movements, carrying a faint trace of her scent. It was undeniably alluring.

Jeffrey's throat tightened.

He tore his gaze away, staring out at the quiet, empty streets. After a moment, he glanced back at her. She had already dozed off again.

For a few seconds, he just watched her in silence. Then he opened the car door and stepped out.

The night stretched vast and quiet around him.

Dressed in black, he blended into the darkness as he leaned against the hood of his Range Rover. He pulled out a cigarette, held it between his lips, and cupped a hand around the lighter's flickering flame.

A wisp of smoke curled into the air, only to be swept away by the night breeze. It softened the sharp lines of his features.

Halfway through his cigarette, he turned to look at the woman inside the car.

Dressed in white, she looked like a painting, with a trace of intoxicating allure shimmering at the corner of her eyes.