Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174

Willow’s frostiness didn’t deter Julian. He continued pursuing her

+25 BONUS

In the middle of the month, Laura came down with something, so leather and Timothy returned to Cloudspire to care for her. They spent about two weeks there.

Willow was due for a prenatal checkup on this day. Braxton had summoned Caleb home, so she was on her own. She was taken aback as soon as she entered the clinic.

Julian was there, talking to the doctor. He sat with his back straight, and the gray shirt he wore seemed particularly nice on him. He exuded regality, and he was easy on the eyes.

He stared at Willow for a while when she came in before turning to the doctor and saying, “My wife is here.”

The doctor was reminded of something when she saw Willow. “Oh, so you’re Ms. Harper’s husband. That means the woman who took the medical records is your mother! She acted out of line, but I suppose it was because she was concerned.”

Willow smiled faintly. She knew what Julian was capable of he must have turned on the charm and bewitched the doctor. It was clear from the way the doctor looked at Julian that she thought he was a good husband and father.

Willow was used to it. Instead of explaining, she headed to the clinic’s inner room for her checkup.

The doctor was professional. She listened for a heartbeat and checked Willow before smiling gently. “This one is strong.”

Her words hinted at something, and Willow guessed the baby was a boy.

If she could tell, so could Julian. Once the checkup was done, he followed Willow out of the clinic and said lowly, “It’s a boy, so how about we name him Landon as agreed? Landon Ziegler.”

She wanted to refute him, but remembered what Soren had said having the baby take the Ziegler name would protect him from calamity.

Julian misunderstood her silence. He thought she’d softened her stance and was agreeable to his suggestion, so he said excitedly, “This is our first child, Willow. I hope the next one will be a daughter; we can name her Evelyn!”

Willow said icily, “You can give birth to as many children as you want!”

She headed to where the Chapman family’s chauffeur had parked the car, but realized Julian had sent him on his way again, She was about to snap at Julian when her calf suddenly cramped. The pain made her wince.

“Does it hurt? I’ll massage it for you.” Julian lifted her off her feet and made a beeline for his car.

The backseat was spacious enough for him to crouch before Willow as she leaned against the backseat. He held her calf and massaged it with such skill and familiarity that it was clear he’d picked it up from somewhere. 1

It was fall, but Willow wore a dress without any stockings. Julian held her calf, unable to stop himself from being aroused by the smoothness and suppleness of her skin. He remembered their last time sleeping together–he’d held her calves on the couch that night just like he was at the moment.

The light was dim inside the car, and his gaze darkened. He asked, ‘Do you feel better? Does it hurt anywhere else? I’ll massage you there, too. I’ve read a lot of books lately, Willow. I want to care for you and the baby.“”

Willow pulled her leg out of his grasp after the pain subsided. She said coldly, “I don’t need your care.”

She opened the door to get out, but he grabbed her hand and stopped her. Then, he leaned close to her and pinned her to the seat.

She wasn’t in time to resist. “What the hell are you doing?”

His face was inches from hers, and his tall nose pressed against hers. Their breathing mingled, and the atmosphere turned

amorous.

The car was silent save for Willow’s erratic breathing. Julian closed the distance between them and sealed her lips with his,

7/2

Chapter 174

kissing her hard. He knew how to get people where it hurt and knew the baby was what mattered most to Willow. So, as he deepened the kiss, he placed a hand on her belly, reminding her that she couldn’t struggle too much.

He smelled faintly of aftershave and tobacco, which was oddly pleasant mixed together. His kiss was aggressive and domineering, which most women would gladly sink into. However Willow only felt repulsed.

+25 BONUS

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears when Julian ended the kiss and pulled away. She immediately raised a hand to slap him, the sound ringing out crisply in the car.

He hadn’t had enough of her. He’d gone for a few months without getting his fill of Willow, and she was all the more attractive now that she’d gained some weight from being pregnant. It reminded him of their passionate lovemaking in the past.

He took a while to calm down, still gentle despite the slap. “It’s almost noon. What do you want to eat? If you don’t want to eat outside, I’ll take you home and cook for you. The fridge at the apartment is always stocked.”

Willow shoved him aside before leaning back. Tears filled her eyes as she snapped, “Nothing is going to work, Julian! Nothing you do will change this situation. We’re over–can you understand that? Do I need to explain to you what being over means?”

Julian dried her tears and said tenderly, “I know what it means, but I don’t want to give up. Don’t cry, Willow. You’re breaking my heart,”

She was much more emotional than usual, perhaps because her hormones were all over the place. She tilted her head back and asked in frustration, “Do you know when I hated you the most, Julian? I was fine with you wanting to part ways, and I wasn’t bothered by you taking Alicia away.

“You’re free to do what you want; I can’t stop you. But when you came back and kept apologizing after learning I was pregnant- that was when I hated you to the core! What exactly am I to you? I’ll have the child and raise it myself. I don’t need you around!”

She pened the door, feeling smothered. Then, she was taken aback when she saw the person standing outside.