Annie took a deep breath.

Choking back her tears, she continued, “Catherine almost killed Ms. Harper’s grandmother! She lied and told Madam Harper she was pregnant with your child, causing such a shock that she almost died. Yet, here you are, pping Ms. Harper for her instead.”

Julian was taken aback for a moment.

Catherine, pregnant? How was that possible?

His gaze darkened as he turned to her. “You told Willow’s grandmother that you were pregnant?”

Catherine was scared out of her wits.

Pitifully, she tried to exin to him, “I just couldn’t stand her! She’s always putting on airs in front of me, so I… Julian, I didn’t

mean any harm.”

He abruptly released her and strode out, ignoring her desperate calls.

He didn’t even spare her a second nce.

Catherine was left in shock.

For the first time, she had failed to keep Julian on her leash.

She refused to believe that Willow still held a ce in his heart. Their marriage had clearly been a transaction. How could he

possibly develop feelings for her?

Annie spat at her before turning on her heels and following Julian out.

When Julian reached the door, Willow had already climbed into her car.

When the couple locked eyes with each other again, they both knew things couldn’t go back to the way they were.

Through the ss window between them, Julian said in a hoarse voice, “I was wrong to have med you.

11

In truth, those words barely scratched the surface of what he wanted to say. But he had been too ruthless in his youth–too

ruthless with himself, and too ruthless with Willow. Now, he struggled to express tenderness and warmth; they were too foreign

on his tongue.

In those nights of illness and intimacy, Julian often watched Willow’s sleeping face. He would wonder silently if he had any true feelings for her beyond their marital bond.

He did, albeit not much!

Yet he knew, with absolute rity, that he did not want to lose her.

Willow stayed put in her car.

+25 Bonus

She couldn’t bear another sight of him. She no longer wanted to acknowledge the man whom she had shared a bed with for the

past four years. To her, Julian was nothing but air.

The feelings of love and hate would only be wasted on him.

She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead and spoke in a calm, indifferent tone. “No, you did nothing wrong. The mistake was mine. My younger self, who once loved you, was wrong. I should never have given in to the temptation. I knew there was no love between us, yet I threw myself into this marriage like a moth to a me.

“Back then, I was ignorant and fearless. But now, I’ve woken up.”

She paused to breathe. “I’ve woken up, okay?

“Julian, I have the right to wake up, don’t I?”

Willow’s face remained expressionless. It was calm, neither joyful nor downcast. It was as though loving Julian was a thing of the

past, as though she could forget everything between them in the next second.

Julian felt his heart clench.

he

He had never been an impulsive man. From a young age, his every move was carefully calcted. But at that very moment,

abandoned all rationality. He wrenched open the car door, reaching for Willow’s hand. All he wanted to do was to pull her into his

arms and never let go, to start anew with her.

“I will make it up to you, Willow!”

Willow harshly flung his arm aside.

“Make it up? What can you possibly do to make it up to me, Julian? As your wife, all I ask for now is your signature on the divorce papers. All I need is for you to return me to the peaceful life I once had. Thank you in advance, Julian Ziegler!”

Willow’s voice choked with emotion.

Julian’s palm rested over the back of her hand. The strength of the man ovepped with the softness of the woman; it was all his

pleading and all her disappointment.

She gritted her teeth. “Let go!”

Even then, Julian refused to let go. For more than a dozen seconds, he held on.

Then, he finally let go.

The tinted window slowly rolled up, separating the former couple into two separate worlds. Willow lifted her chin slightly, suppressing the tremor in her voice. “Let’s depart,” shemanded.

The driver returned a nod and stepped on the elerator.

The ck car slowly drove forward, its tires crushing the withered leaves beneath. It drove past Julian, putting more and more

distance between them.