Chapter 6

Julian angrily grabbed Adrian's shirt, tears streaming down his cheeks, his eyes blazing with rage. "You bastard!" He yelled, his voice filled with pain. "You gave me your word, you said you wouldn't kill her but you did! You brutally murdered her!" He yelled.

Adrian's men wanted to retaliate, but Adrian secretly raised his hand a bit, and they stepped back, bowing their heads instead, not wanting to see their boss being humiliated.

"What do you mean, pup? I have no idea what you're talking about." Adrian said, his voice calm.

Julian's grip tightened on his shirt. "Lair." He said through gritted teeth. "I just saw the news, Valeria was brutally murdered. Who else would have done that if not you? You asked that I come with you in exchange for her life, and I agreed. You gave me your word, but you went ahead and killed her instead." He roughly pushed Adrian away.

Adrian staggered a bit but managed to maintain his balance. A look of confusion flashed in his eyes. "What?" He muttered.

Julian only scoffed in disbelief. "So you're going to pretend like you have no idea what I'm talking about?" He questioned, his tone bitter. "You're nothing but a heartless monster, Adrian DeCarlo. I would have gladly taken any punishment you gave to me, but you went ahead and murdered the woman I love. I swear to God I won't rest until I see your end. I promise I'll make you pay for what you've done. You've taken the only thing precious to me and I will never forgive you for that." He vowed, pointing his index finger at Adrian.

Adrian said nothing, his gaze cold and his face emotionless.

Julian stepped closer to him until they were only a few inches apart, he couldn't care less what happened to him now. It would be best if Adrian kills him now otherwise he would do everything possible to end his life.

"I will kill you, Adrian DeCarlo. I promise you that." He said in a low threatening voice, then turned and left, his heart filled with pain.

Adrian balled his fists in rage, he really has nothing to do with Valeria's death but he knew Julian wouldn't believe him.

"Mark." He called in a low dangerous voice.

"Yes boss." Mark answered from behind him.

"You know what to do."

"Yes boss, I'll look into it immediately." Mark replied and left the premises.

Adrian heaved a deep breath, trying to calm down. Although Julian was furious, he still felt the need to go check up on him and make sure he was okay, so he returned inside, heading straight to Julian's room.

Adrian stopped in front of Julian’s door, taking a deep breath before knocking.

''Julian.'' He called, but there was no response.

He tried the handle—it was locked.

Adrian exhaled slowly and knocked again, a little harder this time. ''Julian, open the door. We need to talk. I know you won’t believe me, but I didn’t kill her.''

Silence.

He could break the door down in seconds if he wanted to. But he knew that would only push Julian further away.

So he stayed.

Minutes passed, heavy and suffocating. When it became clear Julian wouldn’t answer, Adrian clenched his jaw and finally walked away.

Inside the room, Julian sat on the edge of the bed, tears slipping silently down his face as he stared at the photos on his phone.

Valeria’s smile was bright in every picture—so full of life, so beautiful.

Gone.

The one person who had truly loved him… gone.

And it was his fault. He dragged her into this mess.

''I’m sorry…'' He whispered, pressing the phone to his chest as if he could hold onto her that way. ''I’m so sorry, Val. It’s all my fault… all my fault.''

His knees gave out, and he sank to the floor, the weight of his grief crushing him.

After what felt like hours, Julian lifted his head and looked at her picture again.

This time, something in his eyes changed.

They turned cold.

''I promise you… my love.'' He murmured, his voice trembling but firm. ''I won’t let your killer go unpunished.''

His grip on the phone tightened. ''Adrian DeCarlo will pay for what he’s done to you. He’ll suffer… just like you did. I promise.''

He pressed a soft kiss to the screen before clutching it to his chest again, his silent sobs filling the room.

****

Days passed.

Julian never stepped out.

He refused food, water—everything.

The maids tried, pleaded, begged… but nothing worked.

And Adrian had finally had enough.

He stood outside Julian’s door once more and knocked.

''Julian, open up. You’ve been in there for days. You haven’t eaten or had anything to drink.'' His voice carried both anger and worry.

Silence.

''If you don’t open this door right now, I swear I’ll break it down and—'' He stopped himself, frustration tightening his chest.

Adrian dragged a hand through his hair, forcing himself to calm down.

''Fine.'' He said, more quietly. ''If you come out… I’ll let you attend her funeral. It’s tomorrow. You can—''

The door opened before he could finish.

Relief flickered across Adrian’s face, but it vanished just as quickly.

Julian looked… terrible.

Paler. Thinner. His eyes were sunken, red, and swollen.

Broken.

''What have you done to yourself?'' Adrian muttered, pain slipping into his voice.

''You’ll let me see her?'' Julian asked, his voice hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Hope.

That was all that was left of him.

Adrian held his gaze. ''Not until you eat, let them take care of you… and promise me you won’t lock yourself in again.''

Julian didn’t hesitate. ''I’ll do anything you want. Just let me go.''

Adrian nodded slightly. ''The funeral is tomorrow. My men will take you and bring you back.'' His tone hardened. ''And don’t even think about running.''

Julian said nothing.

Adrian looked at him one last time, his chest tightening. ''Freshen up. Change your clothes. Come downstairs for dinner.'' He turned away. ''I’ll be waiting.''

When Adrian left, Julian closed the door again.

But this time… something was different.

For the first time in days—

He had a reason to move.