ulian could sense the gaze from behind him. He said softly, “When I was in my 20s, I lived abroad alone for a while. I learned back then.”
Willow didn’t ask any further. Their rtionship was ambiguous right now. Just because they had been intimate once didn’t mean anything
She had no intention of opening up to him. Besides, she was tired <b>and </b>didn’t want to argue with him.
The pasta Julian made was quite good<b>, </b>and <b>Willow </b>ate most of it.
<b>Then</b>, she asked him to leave.
As he lett, Julian gazed at her deeply. “I’lle again tomorrow.“!
Willow thought he was joking. Julian can a corporation with zo thousand employees–he didn’t have that much free time.
<b>20 </b>
But the next day, when she returned from the gallery<b>, </b><b>her </b>apartment was brightly lit, filled <b>with </b>the aroma a of Wisteran cuisine and red wine.
??? That bottle of red wine was one of Willow’s cherished collectibles, something she couldn’t bear to drink. And now, it was sitting there on the dining table.
Willow slowly <b>closed </b>the door and looked at her soon–to–be ex–hushand with a trace of mockery. “Hiding out here like some fairy–tale housekeeper must <b>be </b>quite a grievance for a rich heir like you, filian, aren’t you supposed to be busy? Why do you keeping to my ce?”
Julian stepped out of the ldtchen, dressed in all ck. He looked elegant and dazzling.
He pazed at Willow intently, as if she were a priceless work of art. Then, with his voice sounding as smooth as silk, he said, “I find time when I see you. The dog <b>has </b><b>already </b>been walked<b>, </b>and I’ve <b>already </b>called Grandma. Tonight, <b>it’s </b>just the two of us.”
<b>willow </b>tossed aside her briefcase, sat on the couch, and eyed him. “When are you signing the papers?” she asked.
Julian dodged the question. “Let’s eat.”
Willow continued, “Julian, can’t you tell I find <b>you </b>annoying?
Julian stared at her steadily and said softly, “Then I’ll stay until you don’t.”
<b>Willow </b>was speechless. <b>She </b>couldn’t do anything abour Julian. All she could do was treat him coldly, hoping he’d take the hint <b>and </b>leave.
However, heclung to her like high–quality adhesive, refusing to <b>budge</b>. He even stole Snowy’s sleeping <b>spot </b><b>at </b>night
Willow simply focused on work and avoided physical contact with him
The night was silent–under the warm glow of themp, <b>Willow </b>meticulously flipped through the ledgers.
The gallery was just the beginning. Her ambition was to establish her own auction house and then ring the bell on the stock market. Willow had set a two–year deadline to reach this <b>goal</b><b>, </b>so she <b>couldn’t </b>afford to ckoff.
After working tillte, her eyes felt tired<b>. </b><b>Suddenly</b><b>, </b><b>a </b>cup of Mendhling coffee appeared <b>before </b>her.
willow looked <b>up </b><b>and </b><b>saw </b>julian gazing down at <b>her </b>from above. He <b>said </b>gently, “A little pick<b>–</b>me–up.”
This was their past unspoken i understanding.
Willow didn’t take the coffee, Julian set it <b>down </b>lightly, then leaned in to kiss her. It was soft and devoid of any camal desire.
After a long moment, lie <b>asked </b>in a husky voice, “How does it feel?“.||||
“It doesn’t feel like anything.”
Willow paused for a moment and then said seriously, “pulian, I admit that when you seriously suffered ion much because of you—I’m scared..
ly pursue a wor
ta woman, you’re charming and hard to resist. Hit
“As forst night. Yes, I admit I enjoyed it, but that was just a physical reaction. It doesn’t mearránything<b>, </b>and it certainly doesn’t mean I’m willing toe back
turver been rejected by a woman before<b>. </b>This was the fint time.
He didn’t get angly Instead, he said greatly, “I’lle again tomorrow. You should rest earlier.”
didn’t look at him. A momentter, she band has footsteps bnd her and the sound of the apartment door opening and closing.
the coffer on the table, tilting her head back slightly to suppress her emotions. ……..
She had already decided to forget Julian, yet far refused <b>to </b>let let g?
Willow
didn’t cair. She had her own things to du
+25 Bonus
A weektet, on ate night, Willow signed <b>a </b>new painter. They weren’t famous, but she saw great potential in them. Their artwork had a unique, almost soul–like quality.
COIN <b>BUNDLE</b>: get more free <b>bonus </b>