Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 22

Willow did not want to speak to him. She excused herself and went into the bathroom.

She leaned against the wall and stared blankly into space. Willow was waiting for Julian to take the hint and leave.

Ten minutes later, the bathroom door opened with a soft creak. A ray of light streamed in through the opened door, and Julian slipped in shortly afterward.

There were only the two of them inside that dark space.

Willow did not look at him, a sign of her refusing to communicate with him.

Julian stopped before her. With his tall form, he towered over Willow. Julian reached out and lightly placed his hand against her cheek. His voice was hoarse yet gentle. “Does it still hurt?”

Willow turned her face away. She was repulsed by his touch, and she made sure to show it clearly.

However, Julian was not someone who would give up easily. He pushed one leg between Willow’s legs and held her chin. He gently caressed her cheek as if he was looking at something precious to him. Yet, Willow merely found his behavior absurd.

She tried to push his hand away, but Julian caught her wrist instead. As he held her wrist firmly, Julian stared at Willow quietly with an intense gaze.

As far as she could recall, Julian had never looked at her that way. Willow could not understand why he was doing this now when it was already too late.

Willow said in a cracked voice, “Let me go!”

Julian took out a small tube of ointment from his pocket. He squeezed out some ointment and applied it carefully onto Willow’s

cheek.

Willow had no choice but to stay still arid let Julian do whatever he wanted. However, there was not a single trace of warmth in her eyes as she stared at him. Her eyes reflected a cold light. “Are you done? Let me go if you are.”

Julian gazed at her. “Do you hate it that much when I touch you?”

Willow replied immediately, “Yes.”

As if he could no longer hold back, Julian lowered his head and tried to kiss Willow. He wanted to remind her of past memories.

Willow wanted none of that, of course. She kept turning her face away, trying to avoid any intimate contact with Julian.

Unfortunately, Julian could be stubborn at times. The more she refused, the more Julian wanted to do it.

The couple’s bodies were stuck close to each other in that narrow bathroom. Eventually, Willow was forced to accept Julian’s

kisses and caresses since she was no match for him in terms of strength.

Shafts of light fell on her soft skin, where beads of sweat appeared.

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Chapter 22

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Now, Willow no longer wanted him. It did not matter to her anymore whom Julian considered was the most important to him.

Julian often visited Grace at the hospital.

If Willow was not around, he would chat with Grace to keep her company. After being married for four years, it was as though

Julian finally had the time to meet and socialize with the only family Willow had. (1)

Yet, Willow was not moved. She was still looking for a lawyer to help her get divorced from Julian.

Meanwhile, the Ziegler family seemed to have learned of what happened since Catherine was not even trying to be discreet with

what she did.

Liam phoned Willow twice, asking her to drop by home for a meal together. Yet, Willow rejected both invitations. After being let down by Julian again this time, Willow could not even be bothered to visit the Zieglers for the sake of keeping up appearances.

A week later, it was a rainy night in late autumn.

In the silent night, little pools of water formed on the dark ground. The fallen leaves, which were soaked in rainwater, gradually

blended in with the ground.