Mnie didn’t dare say another word. She simply gestured for Julian to go in.

    Julian stepped into the study.

    Tyler stood before Dominic’s portrait on the wall and said, “Light these candles for your Grandpa, may his soul rest in peace. “Let’s hope he watches over Willow, for her to hear again, and for the safe birth of the child.”

    Julian took the candles and lit them up respectfully.

    When Liam saw Julian’s expression, as well as the obvious bruises on his face, his heart ached. He patted Julian’s shoulder lightly and said, “It’s normal for you to make mistakes when you’re young.

    “Just make sure you don’t repeat them in the future. Willow may be raising the child, but you have to take responsibility. If you want to be with another woman, at least wait until the child is three.”

    “I won’t remarry,” Julian said calmly.

    Liam hesitated, wanting to say more, but in the end, he said nothing.

    Willow’s child was destined to be outstanding, in both character and appearance. If Julian never remarried, then Willow’s child could still inherit the Ziegler family legacy.

    Julian had been away for days, causing manypany matters to pile up. After a meal, he had to rush back to thepany.

    Noah held a ck umbre for him as they walked, murmuring. “This weather is so unpredictable. It just rains and winds whenever it pleases.

    “It’s getting cold, so you should take care of your health.”

    Julian smiled faintly and was about to open the car door when he heard a soft voice behind him.

    “Julian.”

    He froze for a moment before turning around.

    Alicia was standing quietly in the drizzle, holding an umbre. Beside her was a flustered housekeeper. “Mr. Ziegler, Ms. Burke insisted on seeing you. She’s not well, so I was worried something might happen.”

    Julian let go of the car door.

    He stared at Alicia quietly. After a long while, he finally spoke. “Alicia, stoping over. We’re done.”

    Alicia blinked. “Now that she’s ignoring you, you don’t want me either? We could go back to how we were in the past, back to when it was just the two of us.”

    Julian paused for a moment before replying, “Alicia, love isn’t about choosing between two options.”

    Without lingering, he got into the car and drove away.

    The ck Rolls–Royce Phantom passed by Alicia’s side, sshing up a small puddle of water.

    The days that followed were remarkably peaceful.

    Willow couldn’t work, but Insight was being handled by Annie. As for Caleb, he was learning quickly, growing at an impressive

    pace.

    Even Braxton himself had thought of calling Willow to thank her, but when he recalled she couldn’t hear him, he didn’t know

    what to do.

    In the span of a month, Willow only saw Julian onceb, /bwhich was during her prenatal checkup.

    That day, Heather was apanying her, but Julian had arrived early, waiting outside the clinic.

    Seeing them approach, Julian simply nodded as a greeting but didn’t follow them inside. Half an hourter, Willow emerged from the consultation room.

    Julian, who had been leaning against the wall, immediately straightened up and asked gently, “How’s the baby?”

    He gestured as he spoke, using standard signnguage.

    Willow understood and opened her handbag, pulling out an ultrasound for him.

    Julian took it, studying the tiny figure on the ultrasound printout. It was so small, yet he could tell it was Landon.

    A gentle expression appeared on Julian’s face. That was Landon, his and Willow’s child.

    “Grow strong, Landon! Your great–grandmother made you a pair of shoes by hand!”

    After that, he reluctantly returned it to Willow and then escorted them to the car. He didn’t try to pester her.

    Heather just watched from the side quietly. She couldn’t help but feel that Julian‘ seemed to have really let go of Willow.