Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 138

Julian said such loving words as he slipped the six–karat pink diamond ring onto Willow’s finger. It was rare and precious, dazzling with brilliance.

“Do you like it?”

“I do. It’s wonderful.”

They had all the privacy they needed in the restaurant. Julian wanted to give Willow a smooch, but she avoided it. She lowered her head and ate the desserts, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.

“Julian, the dessert is very sweet. I like it a lot.”

He held her gently, “If you like it this much, we’ll take some of it home.”

Willow smiled gracefully in response. They shared a bottle of red wine, had the best Ivalian dishes, and rested in each other’s embrace as they enjoyed Brindley’s night view. The way she saw it, no lady would be able to resist the romance and thoughtfulness Julian showed her tonight.

The night was deep and serene.

With Willow in his arms, he murmured lovely words to her, asking her to become his wife again. She didn’t turn him down. She was giving him a chance to come clean to her.

This would be his last chance.

Leaning on his shoulder, she looked out the floor–to–ceiling window and said gently, “Julian, we didn’t get to go on our honeymoon five years ago. When we get remarried this time, I want to go on a leisure trip.

“Let’s go to Saint Sofea Grand Cathedral, Corealia National Tower, and Saint Lordamere’s Basilica. These are all wonderful places.”

Julian rubbed his forehead and grinned faintly. “You might have to wait for years before we can visit all these places. My workload is endless now, especially when it comes to Yarrowmere Just last week…”

Willow interrupted him gently, “So, you don’t have the time for me. Is that it?”

Julian finally sensed something unusual about her. Turning her around in his arms, he towered over her and looked into her eyes. His voice grew deep as he asked.

“What are you trying to say here exactly?”

Willow didn’t shy away from him. Instead, she looked squarely into his eyes. “Julian, do you love me?”

He didn’t respond to her, which prompted her to curl her lips. Tears welled up in her eyes as she chuckled. “Do you love Alicia, then? She wanted to go to all the places I mentioned, but you seemed to have the time to take her there.

“If you love her so much, then why didn’t you marry her? Why did you marry me instead?

“Julian, we shared some intimate moments last night, but were you thinking about Alicia the whole time? After all, I am related

to her in some ways.

“Honestly, I’m worried about you. Worried that you might call out the wrong name.”

“Willow Harper!” Julian’s voice was laden with anger. He would not tolerate anyone talking about his youthful love, even if that person was Willow.

The next thing he knew, a stash of pictures was hurled onto the table.

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Chapter 138

+25 BONUS

“Alicia isn’t doing well. So, we celebrated the New Year in Cloudsre, Brindley. She suddenly felt like playing piano, and we did Moonlight Sonata together tonight.

“Afterward, she cried. I’ve asked someone to move the plano to the storeroom and lock it up. That should keep her from seeing it and feeling sentimental.‘

“Julian, I was never made aware that our home’s actual name is Cloudspire. What’s more, It’s a home that you’ve once shared with Alicia.

“Do you have more secrets that I’m not aware of?

“Is it true that Alicia was kept in a hospital at Grandsburg and that you’ve been supporting her financially for seven long years? Let’s not forget that Catherine was just a cover–up for her.

“Everyone knew about these things, and yet I was the only one kept in the dark. In fact, you took a flight to Grandsburg to meet your old flame three days after I became infertile.

“You two were sharing intimate moments while I suffered in the obstetrics and gynecology department, wracked with guilt because I couldn’t carry your baby.

“Julian. Are you just cold–hearted, or am I just too delusional?”

Julian was about to explain himself, but she didn’t give him the chance. Her lips were trembling when she took off the pink diamond ring. Lowering her head, she stared at it quietly for a while before dumping it into the wine glass.

“Goodbye, Julian. I never want to see you again.”