All Chapters of Leaving You Bereft: Chapter 281 - Chapter 290

A tear clung to the tip of Dexter's nose, but he didn't wipe it away. "Make yourself clear, Julian. Tell me what you fucking mean!"Julian said, "I'm sick, and I don't have long to live."Dexter snapped, "I don't believe you!"He didn't have a choice, though.Julian took the prescription bottle from him and fiddled with it. He still looked as handsome as ever, and his every action was regal and elegant. He said, "It's an aftereffect of the accident."He sounded calm and unaffected, but Dexter was thoroughly stunned. He stared at Julian and asked, "Why didn't you get surgery for it? Why didn't you take a gamble, you bold, selfish bastard? You're rich, aren't you? You've got so much money you're swimming in it!"Get a doctor—search for the world's best doctor to operate on you! Or are you just a big, fat coward, Julian?"Julian sighed. "I'll tell you what I told Esther—I can't take the risk."He wanted to wait for his child to be born; he wanted to pave the path for Willow. Perha

Willow listened to Julian calmly, looking like she'd expected this. Esther had fielded all her calls, and it seemed Julian was busy with this or that whenever she called. All of this pointed to a man being sick of a woman—she supposed he was telling the truth about being tired.Willow didn't push him for more information. In fact, she felt somewhat liberated. When she looked at him, her gaze was indifferent. She could even smile as she said, "It's nothing to be upset about. At least we won't need to be in turmoil anymore. The kids can't grow up without a father, though."Julian's left hand trembled slightly as he held his fork. He forced a small smile after a moment and said, "Of course."He drank in the sight of Willow, noticing how she was trying to keep her tears at bay. They'd been together for long enough that he knew her well. She hated him, but her heart wasn't made of stone. They'd spent so much time with each other—it was impossible for her to feel nothing for him.Julian

Julian slowly opened his eyes again and looked at Liam and Melanie. "I don't regret the life I've lived. I was born in an affluent family and had the privilege of gaining much more than I gave. I'm luckier than most, and I even got to meet someone like Willow."If not for my stupidity, she and I would've been so happy together. Even if I'm leaving this world with some regrets, I still think my life was worth living."Tears streamed down Liam's face as he nodded. Melanie was anguished and kept apologizing for having put Julian in this situation.Julian leaned toward her for the last time. He stared out at the night and said hoarsely yet gently, "I never used to believe in fate, Mom. I always thought I was strong enough to determine my fate—that's why I was drawn to power and status."It was only when Willow's grandmother passed away that I realized there were too many things in this world that money couldn't buy."He continued, "When I thought we'd lost Landon, I swore to the heave

"I know you're not going to tell me where Julian is, but I still want to ask whether he's still around. Is he still alive? You've got to at least give me that," Willow said.A rare tear slipped down Dexter's face, his emotions tightly restrained. Willow's lips trembled slightly at the sight.He said, "Don't worry, he's alive. He's doing well."Her lips continued trembling. After a while, she composed herself and forced a smile. "Thanks for telling me."Dexter tried to keep his emotions in check. He said gruffly, "You know that asshole won't mistreat himself."He left in the darkness of the night. He sat in the driver's seat and smoked his way through a few cigarettes, slumped over the steering wheel for a long time.He'd never been the emotional type—he'd never genuinely loved a woman, either. His life had been spent competing with Julian. Now that the latter had gone into seclusion, Dexter felt like he'd lost his way.…Dexter hurried to Yarrowmere under the cover of the night

Melanie made a sound of acknowledgment. She would help Willow keep her family intact, if only for Julian and the children.…That night, Willow had a dream. She dreamed about the night when she and Julian had fallen out by Lake Tolpond as Grace's life hung in the balance. She'd set the black Maybach on fire, and the flames had turned the sky above the lake crimson.She also dreamed of the chapel where Julian had knelt before the heavens and prayed. She wanted to step forward and call his name, but his figure was blurry—she stepped right through him.Willow's eyes flew open. She was covered in cold sweat, and the pain of childbirth spread through her.Melanie jolted awake and immediately hurried forward. "Are you okay? Do you want to see Evelyn?"The ward was silent save for that question. Willow looked at Melanie for a while before asking, "Where is Julian?"Melanie became choked up. "He's busy. He'll be back soon, okay? He'll be back to see you and the kids."Willow shook her