Chains of Desire, Bonds of Love のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 81 - チャプター 90

James was sent out of town, and she only saw Julian that one night in the entire month. Their daily calls also reduced to once a week. She thought perhaps he wanted to end their relationship with this coldness. Isabella de Valois had boasted in front of her that Julian's mother had already found a suitable girl for him, someone of high status, a perfect match. Isabella thought this news would hurt Lily, but she was wrong. If Julian could let go and marry a wealthy heiress, Lily would be more than happy. Heartbroken for him? Not worth it. She would rather stay far away from him, never to see him again. But she doubted whether Julian, a man so proud and unyielding, would willingly submit to his parents' wishes and an arranged marriage. Soon enough, her application was approved. Lily didn't care about anything else. She just wanted to escape this place of strife, to go somewhere where no one knew her, even if just for a day. That day, Lily Parker returned to her apartment to pack her

In the study of the luxurious Sterling Penthouse in Lorehaven, the wooden floor was littered with cigarette butts, papers and documents strewn about, and anything breakable had been smashed to pieces. Julian Sterling stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, a half-smoked cigarette between his slender fingers. His eyes, colder and deeper than ancient wells, were fixated on a thought that revolved in his mind like a relentless wheel – Isabella de Valois's mocking words from earlier that day, "Julian, how could you not even keep a woman?"The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. His jaws clenched tightly, and in a fit of rage, he kicked a large, unopened picture frame leaning against the wall. The frame crashed to the floor, and he squinted at it, seemingly unable to recall why it was there. When he recognized the face in the photo, his anger surged from his feet to his chest, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, veins on his arms bulging. His usual proud self-control was

Once, Lily Parker thought the happiest thing was simply holding Ethan Hart's hand. Even if they did nothing, even if they had nothing, just being quietly by his side, feeling his tender presence so close, was all she ever wanted. But now, after everything that had happened, she found herself at a loss for how to be with him. They sat together, wordless, their shared melancholy fate hanging between them.The moon over the Western Sea seemed especially large and bright, like a pearl set against the black velvet of the night sky. Its soft light spilled over the shimmering surface of the lake, reminiscent of the tenderness between lovers.They had rented a small boat, drifting across the misty waters, far from the madding crowd, with no one to disturb them.Ethan stood at the bow, still in his black suit that he hadn't had time to change out of, the first three buttons of his shirt undone. His hand was casually tucked into his pocket, his gaze fixed on the distant lights on the shore. His

Before discarding her phone, Lily Parker saw that there were over a dozen missed calls and a text message. Julian Sterling never texted; he found it bothersome. Yet, he had sent one – "Do you really think you can start over together?" Such a piercing question. What had they done wrong, after all? They had merely fallen in love. Still, she wanted to believe in Ethan Hart, to gamble once more with fate. Ethan took her to a property not registered in his name, located in a modest neighborhood outside of Lorehaven. It was a simple one-living room, two-bedrooms apartment. He always planned meticulously; everything they needed for living was there, except there was no phone, no television, and no internet connection. The two of them were like a couple isolated from the world, content just to quietly be with each other. After her bath, Lily came out to find Ethan leaning against the door, his profile thin and his eyes betraying a hint of fatigue. She thought he must be truly exhausted.

They continued their journey back to Lorehaven by bus. Approaching their home, Lily mentioned she was thirsty, so Ethan went to a nearby store to buy mineral water. Coming out, he saw Lily standing there, waiting. He playfully called out her name twice, but she didn't respond, standing still, her gaze fixed ahead.Following her gaze, Ethan saw a striking Jaguar parked under a sparse tree. The person in the driver's seat was someone they both knew. The chilly autumn air enveloped them.He went over and took Lily's hand, only then realizing how cold and limp it was. He tried to lead her forward, but she stubbornly refused to move. Her face, even her lips, were pale, her expression as desolate as withered leaves, her eyes filled with despair.Julian Sterling flicked ash off his cigarette, smiling faintly, "Ethan, no matter what, she's with me now.""So what?" Ethan Hart closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.Julian's smile was suave. "You don't mind? Let me tell you, she has a birthmark