It was pouring the following day when a ck car pulled up outside Neb Group’s building. The driver circled to the back to open the door, and Willow got out with an umbre over her head lowever, the downpour was so heavy that a patch of her jacket was soon soaked.

    Esther was waiting for her by the car. She led Willow to the office on the top floor and got her a ss of milk. Then, she said, ” Mr. Ziegler is in a meeting, but he should be here soon. Please have a seat and wait for a while.”

    With that, she left the office.

    Willow didn’t sit. Instead, she stood before the floor–to–ceiling windows and gazed out at the scenery of most of Brindley. Rain veiled the view in a soft, gray mist and soaked the streets… Perhaps also dousing the embers of one’s youth and ambition.

    She stared outside for so long that time seemed to blur, making her feel like that day was no different from years ago.

    In a daze, she felt like she was taken back to the past, when she was still Neb Group’s vice CEO. She was so out of it that she didn’t even notice the door opening.

    Julian shut the door and stood there, watching her. He was still as handsome as always, and Willow was still young. The only difference was that they were no longer married; she was about to leave him.

    Willow would soon leave for Faeria. Who knew how long she would stay there? Would she even return?

    When Julian spoke, his voice was a little raspy. “Why didn’t you sit while waiting? You’re still in postpartum recovery–you need to be careful.”

    Willow returned to her senses and slowly turned to look at him without saying anything.

    He headed to the couch and invited her to sit. Then, he warmed the ss of milk and said, “Take this to warm yourself up. The A/ C is on full st.”

    She looked at him stoically. “Don’t bother beating around the bush, Julian. Name your conditions.”

    He held the ss, feeling somewhat upset. After a moment, he said, “We don’t get to see each other often. Are transactions and deals all that’s left between us?”

    “What else could there be?”

    “I suppose you’re right. You despise me now, after all.‘

    “I

    Julian put down the ss and looked at Willow. Then, he returned to his usual businesslike behavior. “I can act as a guarantor for Aurelia Group. Knowing what Timothy is capable of, I’m sure he’ll soon be able to lead thepany past this crisis.

    “My condition is simple–I want us to live like a married couple for three days before you leave for Faeria. I’ll let you go once it’s

    time.”

    Live like a married couple for three days?

    Tears filled Willow’s eyes, and she sounded broken as she asked, b“/bbHave /byou lost your mind, Julian? Grandma and Landon’s lives lie between us. Do you think we can still be together?”

    He got up and crouched before her, looking as he always had–he was still the same Julian who struck a good deal.

    He ced a hand on her knee and said gently, “Think it through. All you need to do is bring Gabrie with you and stay with me for three days–Aurelia Group’s crisis will soon be averted. Isn’t that a win–win situation? You respect Timothy, and he treats you well. Isn’t that the case?”

    Willow pped him, but he didn’t get mad. He caught her hand and swooped in, gripping her jaw and kissing her hard before she could react. Even when she turned baway/bb, /bbhe /bfollowed.

    It was still pouring outside, so it was dark in the office.

    Julian refused to let the kiss end. Willow grabbed his hair and pped him countless times, but he was unfazed. All he wanted to do wás savor this stolen moment of passion.

    After a long while, he buried his face against her neck as he panted. His tall nose pressed against her supple skin, and he nuzzled her tenderly.

    He knew this was a cheap move, but it was also his only chance to be with Willow and Gabrie. He wouldn’t regret this, no matter how deeply Willow hated him.

    He knew she would agree. They’d been married for so long–he knew her like the back of his hand.

    Willow wasn’t doing any better than he was. Her face was turned away as she tried to catch her breath. Her dress was a mess underneath her thin jacket.

    She was still recovering frombor, and Gabrie couldn’t finish the milk she produced. She would start leaking if she didn’t feed Gabrie every two hours.

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