<b>+25 </b><b>Bonus </b>
Julian wanted to say something.
Suddenly, Jeffrey walked over. He grabbed Julian by the cor and shoved him against the wall, osting, “She begged you. She, a woman so proud, cried and begged you in front of all those people.
“Julian, are you made of stone? <b>If </b>you had even the slightest bit of warmth in you, you wouldn’t have forgotten that Willow is your wife. She’s been by your side for four years.
<b>“</b><b>Is </b>love really that important? Julian, do you even know what love is?”
Julian threw a punch in retum.
Jeffrey staggered back a few steps, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He red at Julian.
This was the second time they had fought over Willow.
Julian’s chest rose and fell sharply. He pointed at Jeffrey and sneered. “Willow is my wife. Jeffrey, what right do you have to interfere in our private affairs?”
Jeffrey let out a softugh. “I love her. <b>Is </b>that a good enough reason?”
Off to the side, Heather froze.
<i>C </i>
Afraid things would spiral out of control, she pacified Jeffrey and dragged him away. Soon, the hallway fell back into a deathly silence.
Julian looked at his wife.
In just a short few days, she had lost so much weight.
A thousand emotions surged through his chest, and before he could stop himself, he softly called her name<b>. </b>“Willow.”
Willow didn’t need him. She quietly told him to get lost.
She <b>rested </b>her head against the cold ss, her tear–filled eyes fixed on her sleeping grandmother’s face. The air conditioning made strands of Grace’s silver hair tremble ever <b>so </b>slightly.
Willow had never believed in gods or fate. But right now<b>, </b>she wished they existed.
Seeing her like this made Julian’s heart ache. 1
He stayed until evening, making <b>sure </b>everything <b>at </b><b>the </b>hospital was taken care <b>of </b>before finally approaching Willow again. His <b>voice </b>was <b>gentle </b>as he said, <b>“</b><b>I’m </b>going home <b>to </b>change<b>. </b><b>I’ll </b><b>be </b>back to keep watch overnight. You should rest a bit<b>. </b>You’ll wear yourself out like this.”
Willow didn’t spare him <b>a </b>single nce<b>. </b>
Julian felt <b>a </b><b>deep</b><b>, </b>crushing weight in his <b>chest</b><b>, </b>but he knew <b>he </b><b>wasn’t </b>in any <b>state </b><b>to </b>stay. <b>He </b>had <b>to </b><b>go </b>home and pull <b>himself </b><b>together</b>.
By the <b>time </b>he returned <b>to </b>Grandview Manor<b>, </b>night had begun to fall.
The housekeeper was <b>surprised </b><b>to </b><b>see </b>him. <b>It </b>took her a long <b>moment </b>before <b>she </b>finally spoke<b>, </b><b>“</b>Sir<b>, </b>you’re finally <b>back</b><b>. </b>Mrs. Ziegler has been through hell.”
Julian’s throat tightened. He let <b>out </b>a <b>quiet </b>hum<b>. </b><b>“</b>I just <b>came </b>from <b>the </b>hospital<b>.</b><b>‘ </b>
The housekeeper <b>didn’t </b>dare <b>say </b><b>more </b>and quickly hurried <b>to </b><b>the </b><b>kitchen </b>to <b>make </b><b>a </b>meal.
Julian carried his suitcase upstairs. As soon as he reached the second floor<b>, </b><b>he </b>saw Snowy <b>lying </b>by <b>the </b><b>bedroom </b>door<b>, </b>its tiny paws resting <b>on </b><b>the </b><b>ground</b><b>, </b>dark eyes full <b>of </b>grievance.
When <b>Snowy </b><b>saw </b>Julian, it let out a soft whimper<b>. </b>
Julian set his suitcase down and reached out to pat the dog’s head. <b>Snowy’s </b>ears drooped.
Inside the bedroom, the absence of its mistress made the space feel empty when<b>, </b>in <b>fact</b>, there were new things in there.
A bouquet of white ca lilies sat in a crystal vase <b>on </b>the bedside table. But time had passed, and they were already wilting. On the sofa<b>, </b>there was a shopping bag. Julian reached inside and pulled out two kitom dress shirts–one ck<b>, </b>one gray. They <b>were </b>his favorite colors
<b>+25 </b><b>Bonus </b>
His face turned ashen as <b>he </b>held those items. He could picture Willow picking them out, her heart filled with excitement.
<b>He </b>didn’t dare imagine how she would treat him if <b>Grace </b>never woke up. Would she… never want to see him again for the rest of her life?
The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.
Through the frosted ss door<b>, </b>a tall male figure could be vaguely seen, the silhouette shifting through the steam…
Julian turned off the shower, ran a hand over his face, and casually grabbed a white towel, wrapping it around his waist before stepping out.
As he browsed the walk–in closet for something to wear, he hesitated for a moment before choosing the new dress shirt Willow had bought
him. He went with the ck one<b>. </b>
Just as he was fastening his belt, a voice came from outside. “The Ziegler residence called, sir. They <b>need </b>you toe over<b>. </b>
Julian paused. After a brief silence<b>, </b>he replied, “Got it.”