Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 141

Melanie protested, "Liam, don't you think you're reading too much into it? Alicia is pure-hearted and wonderful."

Liam looked at her. "Doesn't she strike you as a hypocritical young lady?"

Feeling rather speechless, she reprimanded him. "Liam, you never fuss over the younger generation. What's more, you've known her since she was a little girl."

He closed his eyes once more. "Willow is still the better match for Julian."

…

Willow woke up early in the morning. She was sleeping on a bed she wasn't familiar with, but she was wearing a bathrobe from the brand she usually wore. There was even a faint scent of the shower gel that was also present in Grandview Manor.

She had a hunch that this place belonged to Julian.

At that moment, the sound of a piano echoed from the lounge, and the melody was extremely familiar to her. It was a song that used to cause her emotional turmoil.

Willow lifted the blanket and got out of bed. Then, she walked over to the door of the lounge in her bare feet.

Sunlight shone through the white curtain, illuminating the room brightly. A piano stood in front of a floor-to-ceiling window. Julian was sitting at the piano and playing "Für Elise", a song that she once yearned for.

Willow remained where she stood and quietly listened to it. He played it impeccably, but she no longer wanted to hear it.

Once Julian struck the last note, the lingering melody echoed in the air. He didn't rise to his feet. He was aware that Willow was behind him. Covering the lid, he said softly, "Willow, our marriage isn't as miserable as you think.

"Alicia and I have known each other since we were kids. She was weak and fragile. So, I frequently looked after her. That's all.

"When I was 18 years old, I was abducted. She was only 16 years old then, and the abductors also took her. We were locked up in a dark room for a whole week. We were only given a loaf of bread every day.

"Every time, she would give me half of her portion, claiming that she didn't have as big an appetite as I did.

"By the time we were rescued, the intense fear had taken a toll on her well-being, and she developed a chronic illness. It was leukemia.

"Later, she suffered from kidney failure. I sent her to Grandsburg for the best treatment when I had the means to do so. There was a time when I was obsessed with getting her cured.

Julian stared at her intensely as he gulped involuntarily. He was a man with needs. There was no way he wouldn't feel anything when he witnessed her graceful body.

Willow ignored him. She put on her shoes and headed toward the bedroom door. As she brushed past Julian, he reached out and grabbed her wrist. He pleaded with her humbly for the first time in his life.

"Don't leave. Stay with me.

"We can live here in Radiance Manor if you don't like Grandview Manor. This place will be our new home. Let's start over. I mean it, Willow. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

…

Willow struggled fiercely, but Julian maintained a firm grip on her and wouldn't let go. The assertiveness in his eyes was unmistakable when he looked at her.

Amid their struggle, Esther rapped on the door. She sounded anxious as she spoke.

"Mr. Ziegler, something huge has happened! Catherine died in her cell last night!"