Altar 49_leaving you bereft

Julian walked over to Willow with a dark look in his eyes. “Why are you here?” 

 Willow lifted her briefcase. “Not for a date.”

 Julian’s gaze deepened as he offered, “Come eat with us.” 

 Willow didn’t spare his dignity, and she didn’t even nce at Melody. Listlessly, she replied, “I’m quite full. Take your time talking to her, Julian. I’m heading home.” 

 Then, Julian grabbed her wrist with a frown. “Willow!”

 Willow let out an airyugh. She looked at him and said, “Aren’t you two talking business? I’m not that close–minded, you know. Our marriage is only contractual anyway. Once the time is up, we’ll go our separate ways. Who you spend your time with is none of my business.” 

 Julian’s frown deepened. He knew Willow was only saying that out of anger, but it was irritating enough to make him lose his patience and stop trying to persuade her. He simply let her go.

 Willow had no intention of staying, so she turned and left without a second nce. She left Julian where he was, and his mood had souredpletely.

 When Melody saw Willow leaving, she thought that was her chance and walked over tofort Julian in a charming tone.

 “Is Mrs. Ziegler upset, Julian? Should I go exin what’s going on?”

 Julian, however, called the waiter over and handed him around two thousand dors in cash.

 “No need for that,” he told her before disappearing into the night.

 It hadn’t been easy for Melody to finally get him on his own, so she wasn’t going to let this opportunity go. She chased after Julian and followed him to the parking

 lot.

 It was a chilly winter night, and she was shivering from the cold, but she bravely asked, “Are you angry?“”

 Julian’s hand was on the door handle, and there was an indifferent look on his face. “We’re not close enough for you to call me by my first name, Ms. Simpson.”

 He lowered his head to think for a moment before vaguely adding, “I shouldn’t havee tonight.”

 The reason why he felt such strong physical attraction toward Willow wasn’t because she was his type. He didn’t feel anything for Melody, at least. She had tried flirting with him, but it hadn’t affected him at all.

 His time was precious, so he got into the car right after saying that and left Melody behind, disheveled in the wind.

 She kept reying the night over and over again in her head, unable to understand why Julian was so indifferent. She just couldn’t ept it.

 Half an hourter, Willow returned to Grandview Manor. As soon as the car came to a stop, Snowy jumped inside and rubbed its snow–white head against Willow’s

 arm. It let out two barks.

 Willow was incredibly fond of it, so she took a treat out of the glove box and unwrapped it before feeding it to Snowy.

 Once snowy was done eating, she carried it into the house. When ir saw her, she asked, “You’re home from dinner, Mrs. Ziegler? Should I make you some tea to cleanse your pte? Restaurant food can be quite heavy on the stomach.!

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 Willow ran her fingers through her long hair with a subtle smile. “Take the tea to the studio on the third floor.” 

 ir happily agreed and got to work.

 Willow first went to the master bedroom to change her clothes before heading to the studio on the third floor. When she turned on the lights, she was greeted by the half–finished piece on the easel, called “Lovers in the Rain“. 

 As Willow painted, Snowy obediently sat beside her with affection in its dark eyes. Soon, there was a knock at the door. Willow thought it was ir, but to her surprise, Julian stepped inside.

 Willow turned to nce at him before turning back to continue painting. 

 Julian walked in and ced the tea to the side. He hugged her from behind and whispered, “I thought you weren’t bothered. Why are you cooped up in here, then?” 

 Willow’s hand froze. “What do you want me to say, Julian?” 

 Julian tightened his grip and asked, “What do you think?”

 Willow turned around in his embrace and fiddled with his cor, a yful look on her face. “Would you believe me if I said I loved you so much that I couldn’t help myself, Julian?” 

 His gaze was dark, like a bottomless pool. He stared at Willow’s face for a while before gritting his teeth. “You’re asking for it.”

 He didn’t know why he was so worked up and angry. He was probably irritated by Willow’s cynical words and how she kept reminding him that she didn’t love him. A lot of the time, his anger transformed into something else.

 He carried Willow into the bedroom on the second floor without even turning the lights on. Their bodies were entangled, and their figures ovepped in the

 +25 Bonus 

 darkness to form a vague silhouette.

 Willow allowed him to do as she wished. She didn’t try to resist at all. She held onto his neck tightly as if she was a submissive woman who loved her husband deeply.

 Julian, on the other hand, knew that no matter how affectionate she was, Willow didn’t feel a thing.

 After everything was over, Julian felt physically and mentally empty. He had never felt so dissatisfied before. It was like he had lost something incredibly dear to

 him. 

 It was a quiet night.

 Julian grabbed Willow’s shoulders and leaned over her from behind. He pressed his lips against the back of her neck and murmured, “Be more obedient, Willow.” 

 It took a while before Willow quietly replied, “Don’t worry. I’ll y along and act like we’re a loving couple. After all, I still need your money to treat my grandmother’s illness.” 

 Julian went stiff. Willow turned around and gently leaned into his embrace, running her slender fingers over his handsome features. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. What else do you need, Julian?”

 Julian grabbed her wrist, a gloomy look in his eyes. “It’s not enough.”

 He didn’t know what wasn’t enough, though.

 In the early morning, Willow woke up and saw Julian’s handsome face right in front of her. He was staring straight at her, and it looked like he wanted to devour her. It was quite creepy.

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 Willow.closed her eyes, deciding that it was better to feign being asleep. However, she was soon awoken by Julian passionately kissing her.

 When she woke up againter that morning, Julian wasn’t in bed.

 She leaned against the headboard, lost in thought. She heard someone moving around in the coatroom, and Julian walked out of it shortly after. He was dressed neatly, and it was impossible to tell that he was the same violent person as the night before.

 Julian put on his Patek Philippe watch and looked at Willow. “There’s a charity dinner tonight. You’reing with me.”

 Willow agreed to it. Ever since she stopped loving Julian, being his wife was like a job to her. It was much easier than before.

 Her indifference frustrated Julian, and he leaned over to capture her lips. “Sometimes, I really want to kill you.”

 Willow remained unbothered. Life was hard enough as it was. She didn’t want to make things even more difficult for herself.

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Altar 49