Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 295

It was the night before New Year's Eve, and the first snow had cleared. However, snow still blanketed the mountains and pines lining either side of the highway, turning them into a sea of white.

Most of the lake had frozen over in winter, but there were spots where the sunlight hit that weren't frozen. The water gently lapped against the bank, glistening in the sunlight.

A black car sped toward Lake Tolpond. Willow sat in it, her face turned to look out the window. Her nose was red.

It was noon, and the sun hung high in the sky. The car approached Lake Tolpond, where a secluded resort sat. It was deserted in winter, and things were silent and still. Only one cabin had smoke coming from the chimney—someone was obviously using the fireplace to make things warm and toasty inside.

Willow told the driver to pull up before that cabin. Once the car stopped, she opened the door. Her hands trembled uncontrollably, and she felt stiff all over. As she got out, she practically stumbled to the door and barged in without pause.

It was bright inside the cabin, and the fireplace glowed from the hearty flames. A man in black sat on the couch, his back to the door. There were hints of silver in his neatly-trimmed hair. He didn't turn around when he heard the door being pushed open. Instead, he said calmly, "Sorry, but this place isn't up for rent."

That was Julian's voice. He was alive—alive and well.

Willow felt like something was lodged in her throat as she slowly approached him. She forced out, "I searched the world for you, Julian. I flew everywhere, but I never found you."

It turned out he was at Lake Tolpond—he was still in Brindley.

Tears streamed down her face the moment she spoke. She placed a trembling hand on his shoulder, feeling his presence and warmth, feeling the fact that he was still alive.

She didn't know what to do about the conflict and complex emotions between them, but she knew she didn't want Julian to die alone like that.

He didn't speak, so she moved to stand before him. Then, she froze.

He was Julian, but he also wasn't. He looked so calm and indifferent, and his eyes were unfocused. Willow stroked his face gently and looked him over in disbelief. Why wasn't he reacting? Why couldn't he see anymore?

He grabbed her hand. "Do we know each other?"

Tears streamed down Willow's face as she half-knelt before him. She looked up at him and smiled through her tears. "Yes, we do. You're Julian Ziegler, right? I'm Willow Harper, your wife. We have three children together."

She lost control as soon as the words were out of his mouth and buried her face against his knees. She bawled her eyes out.

She'd kept her emotions bottled up for too long. She'd imagined the endless possibilities of their predicaments when they were reunited—one of them had included him having a terminal illness and looking like he was nothing but skin and bones.

However, she hadn't expected him to have lost his memories and be blind. Still, it didn't matter. The important thing was that he was still alive!

Willow shed every last tear she had. Finally, she held Julian as tightly as she could.

Noah watched them silently while holding a glass of water and Julian's medication. Tears welled up in his eyes as he stood there.

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