Willow was deeply grateful to Heather.
Just as she was hesitating, <b>a </b><b>call </b>came from the Ziegler family. Dominic wanted <b>to </b><b>see </b>her.
Liam was the one who called. The Ziegler family was strict <b>about </b>etiquette. <b>Since </b>Willow was Dominic’s <b>guest</b>, even Liam, her father–inw<b>, </b>spoke to her with formal <b>courtesy</b>.
He said, “No matter what’s going on between you and Julian, you should stille <b>see </b>my dad. You know he’s always been fond of you.”
Willow agreed.
Early winter had arrived.
The courtyard of the Ziegler residence was beautiful all
year round.
Willow parked her car and stepped out, only to see Liam already waiting for her. The fact that he came in person to escort her to Dominic showed how much this meeting mattered.
On the way<b>, </b>he made polite <b>conversation</b><b>, </b>carefully avoiding any mention of Julian.
Willow did the same<b>. </b>
When they reached Dominic’s study, Victoria appeared and whispered something to Liam. As they spoke, Willow studied her features.
When Victoria left, Willow remarked, “Liam<b>, </b>your secretary looks familiar <b>to </b>me.”
There <b>was </b><b>a </b>hint of hesitation on Liam’s <b>face</b><b>. </b>
After a pause, he pushed open the door and looked at Willow. “Dad is waiting for you.”
Willow let the matter drop and stepped inside.
In the rustic study, the rich aroma <b>of </b>tea filled the air. Dominic was leisurely sipping his tea while on a rocking chair. There were no maids in sight.
Hearing footsteps, he smiled and said, “Willow<b>, </b><b>you’re </b>here<b>? </b>Come. Have some tea with me<b>.</b>”
Willow walked over and sat down<b>, </b>greeting Dominic respectfully. There was still a touch of formality in her tone.
Dominic smiled. “Julian isn’t here, and I sent everyone <b>else </b>away <b>too</b>. Let’s have a good chat today<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Willow gave <b>a </b>small smile and leaned forward to pour him tea.
Arnong all the younger members of the Ziegler family<b>, </b>aside from Julian<b>, </b>Dominic valued Willow the <b>most</b><b>–</b>perhaps <b>even </b>more than his eldest grandson<b>, </b>Dexter. Of course, this special favor had also made her a target <b>of </b>resentment. This was something Dominic <b>was </b><b>well </b>aware of.
<b>He </b><b>took </b><b>a </b>sip of tea<b>, </b>then <b>casually </b>brought up Dexter and Eleanor<b>, </b>before ending <b>with </b><b>a </b>light remark, <b>“</b><b>You </b>and Julian have been married four <b>years</b><b>. </b>It’s <b>about </b><b>time </b><b>we </b>settled Dexter’s marriage <b>too</b>.<b>” </b>
<b>Willow </b>stiffened.
She immediately understood. Dominic didn’t <b>approve </b>of Eleanor. If he did, Dexter would have married her already. <b>By </b>bringing <b>this </b><b>up </b><b>now</b><b>, </b>Dominic <b>was </b>making it clear that he <b>was </b>about <b>to remove </b>any obstacles <b>to </b>a more suitable match for Dexter<b>. </b>(1)
Though the realization shook her, Willow kept her <b>expression </b>calm<b>, </b><b>even </b>offering <b>a </b><b>smile</b><b>. </b><b>“</b><b>You’re </b>right. <b>Dexter </b>should <b>settle </b>down by <b>now</b>.”
<b>Dominic </b>gave her <b>a </b>sharp look.
She was steady and reserved<b>, </b>the kind of <b>woman </b>who <b>was </b>more <b>than </b>worthy <b>of </b>Julian.
<b>Then</b><b>, </b>shifting the conversation, he asked about <b>Grace’s </b>health.
<b>Willow </b><b>gave </b>a brief<b>, </b>measured <b>response</b>.
Dominic paused for a moment<b>. </b><b>“</b><b>Why </b><b>didn’t </b><b>you </b><b>have </b>Julian tell me about something this important? <b>I </b>know what’s <b>on </b>your mind<b>. </b><b>You </b>think Julian <b>doesn’t </b><b>love </b>you. <b>But </b>I see things clearly. If he didn’t care about <b>you </b>at <b>all</b><b>, </b><b>your </b>marriage wouldn’t havested this long.”
Willow lowered <b>her </b>gaze<b>. </b>“<b>I </b>understand that feelings don’t matter in <b>the </b><b>Ziegler </b><b>family</b>.”
Dominic’s expression darkened. “<b>Did </b><b>Julian </b><b>tell </b>you that <b>crap</b><b>? </b>That idiot<b>! </b>If feelings <b>don’t </b>matter, <b>then </b>how <b>the </b>hell <b>did </b>his parents manage <b>to </b><b>have </b>him? Was that just some mindless animalistic mating?<b>” </b>
Willow couldn’t help but think of Victoria. Her striking beauty was hardly <b>idental</b><b>. </b>1
But <b>she </b>said nothing.
Dominic talked for quite a while and was starting to feel tired. <b>“</b><b>Anyway</b><b>, </b><b>I’ll </b>take <b>care </b>of <b>your </b>grandma’s treatment. You and Julian should take some time <b>to </b>work
<b>+25 </b><b>Bonus </b>
things out. After all, fate brought you together <b>for </b>a reason.”
Willow nodded and quietly stepped out, making sure <b>to </b>close the door behind her.
<b>As </b>she turned, she unexpectedly collided with a firm, warm chest.
Startled, she instinctively tried to step back, but the man’s arm <b>came </b>around her and pulled her close. His <b>voice </b>was low and slightly rough. “How did the talk with Grandpa go? Have you made up your mind?”
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