When His Secret Family Took the Spotlight のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

Julian and I once had a five-year-old daughter of our own.One day, while I was away on a business trip, she came down with a fever. I couldn't get home right away, so I called Julian and made him promise he'd stay with her and take care of her.He promised he would.Instead, he left her home alone so he could attend a business dinner. For three hours, no one was there while her condition worsened.By the time I made it home, our daughter was gone.Julian and I had the worst fight of our marriage that night. I thought there was no possible way I could ever forgive him.But later, he dropped to his knees in front of me, crying and begging for forgiveness. And in the end, I gave it to him.Years ago, Julian had saved my life. I told myself I owed him for that. I let that debt outweigh everything else, even something I should never have been able to forgive.I was a fool back then, and I wouldn't be one again.With that thought, I walked out of the venue.For once, I didn't stay

All Chloe had to do was mention that she liked something, and Julian would buy it for her without a second thought.Once, she'd admired a diamond necklace in passing. By the end of the day, he'd bought it for her. It was worth seven figures.This was the same man who'd always insisted on keeping our relationship strictly professional at the office.I wasn't supposed to linger in his office or speak to him unless it was about work. Even after ten years of marriage, I was expected to call him "Mr. Winslow" in front of our colleagues.Chloe, meanwhile, could stroll into his office whenever she pleased and teasingly call him "Jules".He never corrected her. He even took her out for lunch in the middle of the workday, then disappeared with her to catch an afternoon movie as if he didn't have a company to run.Lost in thought, I accidentally let the bracelet slip from my fingers.When I bent down to pick it up, something caught my eye. Part of the gold finish had chipped away. Underne

I almost laughed.Julian expected me to understand.Funny. Where had all that empathy been when it was our own daughter who needed him?The moment Julian and Chloe noticed me, their conversation stopped. The atmosphere turned awkward almost instantly.A few coworkers quickly rushed in to fill the silence. They crowded around Julian and Chloe, effectively pushing me to the edge of the group as the teasing began. "Chloe, you've been holding out on us! You and Mr. Winslow already have a daughter, and somehow nobody knew?""So, when are you two giving Daisy a little brother? You already make a pretty convincing family of three."Chloe gave a soft laugh and glanced at Julian, looking almost bashful.Julian didn't correct anyone. He simply stood there and let them tease the two of them as if there might actually be something between them.I couldn't help remembering the last time I'd brought our daughter to the office.She'd made the mistake of calling him "Daddy" in front of some

Our daughter had waited five years. Julian never kept that promise. Not even before she died.I must have gone quiet for too long, because Julian seemed to take my silence as a sign that he'd finally gotten through to me. His expression softened slightly, though his voice remained cold."Well? What are you waiting for? Apologize to Chloe and get that prototype finished as soon as possible. Everyone else shouldn't have to pick up the slack because of you."A bitter laugh escaped me as I shoved him aside. "I don't work for you anymore. Find someone else to clean up your mess. Now move. I have a flight to catch."Julian froze. He caught my wrist before I could walk away. "A flight? Where are you going?"Before I could answer, my phone rang with a call from my new employer."Ms. Aldridge? This is Meridian Group. What time should we expect you today? We'd like to have a car waiting for you at the airport.""Three this afternoon. Thank you." Sometime during the call, I accidentally

"This piece is called 'Sweetest Thing'," I told the audience. "I designed it for my daughter, Candice, who passed away."Her name always made me think of everything sweet in life. So, wherever she is now, I hope her next life is filled with all the happiness, love, and joy she deserved."And I hope every woman who wears this necklace finds a little of that happiness for herself."The room erupted into applause.As I stepped off the stage, however, I caught sight of someone in the crowd I never expected to see.Julian.He was standing among the guests, applauding with everyone else.I almost didn't recognize him.Six months had changed him completely. His face was gaunt, dark circles shadowed his eyes, and several days' worth of stubble covered his jaw. Even his suit was rumpled, a far cry from the impeccably dressed Julian Winslow I remembered.Apparently, the past six months hadn't been nearly as kind to him as they had been to me.The moment I stepped off the stage, Julian