After a short while, Alicia coughed a few times. Julian got her a ss of water.

    Willow knew Alicia was deliberately putting this loving act on for her–she wanted to make Willow back off. It was too bad it wouldn’t achieve the desired effect because Willow was already thoroughly disappointed in Julian.

    Still, Alicia’s existence pissed Willow off. Just as thetter told herself to stick it out until the y was over, Heather said coolly,” We really need to get our fortunes told before we leave the house in the future. It’s too easy to run into bad luck otherwiseb./b”

    Willow smiled. “Did you pick up Timothy’s sense of humor, Mom?

    Caleb leaned close. “You mean our dad!”

    She red at him, but Heatherughed. Willow was outstanding and capable; someone as cheery and goofy as Caleb wasn’t a bad match for her. He was handsome and had a good figure with an infectious smile.

    Heather was only thinking that, but Caleb was serious about having her as a mother–inw. He ran around, ensuring her every need was cared for. Of course, he had a hidden agenda—he would marry Willow so that she could take over the family business for him… It was great!

    Willow knew nothing about his ns. She felt a little ufortable after having the snacks and excused herself to the

    restroom.

    Heather told Caleb to go with her. However, his phone rang when they got to the restroom, and he gave Willow a heads–up before leaving to answer the call.

    She entered the restroom alone. However, as soon as she went in, someone shut the door behind her–it was Julian.

    He pined her to the wall while cradling the back of her neck with his hand. He didn’t do anything out of line. All he did was stare into her eyes before saying hoarsely, “Willow.”

    She tried and failed to break free. Thenb, /bshe asked calmly, “What is this supposed to mean? Didn’t we already say our goodbyes, Julian? Why are you still pestering me? There are probably thousands of people in this theater; you could’ve acted like you didn’t see me, and that we were strangers.

    “Why did youe after me? Or did you want me to congratte you after that loving act you put on before me? I’ll do as you wish, then. I wish you and Alicia all the happiness in the world and that you’ll be together until death takes you.”

    Her words were harsh, but her eyes gleamed with a hint of tears. It was much too cruel for her to have wasted four years of her youth on a man who wasn’t worth it.

    Julian paled. He wanted to exin, but ultimately released her. bHe /blet go of the woman he wanted and backed awayb, /bsaying softly, “It’s not like that.”

    What did it matter? He’d lost Willow–no, he’d cast her aside. He couldn’t find any excuse for himself to get her back.

    He slowly backed away, leaving the restroom and Willow’s life. His heart twisted painfully as he strode past the door.

    Willow was left alone in the restroomb, /bthe harsh lights making her look ashen. Suddenly, her stomach turned, and she bent over the sink as she dry–heaved. Thenb, /bshe leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the floor, her strength leaving her.

    She looked down and gently ced a hand on her belly. As a woman, she knew what this meant. She’d been getting frequent nauseous spells and odd cravingstely–it turned out they weren because she’d eaten something bad, but because she was

    pregnant:

    She was pregnant, and it hade after she and Julian had parted bways/b!

    Willow counted the days and realized she’d conceived on that night in the apartment. Julian had slept with her twice that night and had ravished her.

    Tears streamed down her face as sheughed and cried. She was pregnant; she was going to be a mother! She couldn’t believe

    this was happening to her.