Chapter b226 /b

    Three years passed in the blink of an eye. It was yet another September, and the leaves had turned a beautiful shade of gold in the fall.

    Julian ran into Willow at a banquet. He had no idea she was back–theirmunication was kept to a minimum, and she rarely revealed her whereabouts. All he knew was that she’d spent the past three years in Faeria caring for Gabrie and refining her painting skills.

    The banquet hall’s bright lights sparkled, casting an elegant glow on Julian’s figure. However, the suit that should have been crisply tailored was draped loosely over his shoulders, hiding the horrific injuries he’d sustained during the car crash

    It had been three years, but he could only do simple things with his right arm and hand. He’d gradually gotten used to doing everything with his left hand.

    He held a ss of champagne and quietly watched Willow with the crowd between them. She wore a short dress with an embossed pattern that showed off her figure. Her hair was pulled back in an updo, revealing her slender neck. Pearl earrings were her only essory, and she exuded a mature

    charm.

    Perhaps Julian’s gaze was too intense–Willow looked in his direction after a while. She was evidently taken aback, not having expected to run into him. She wanted to avert her gaze, but thought that was too deliberate, so she gave him a faint smile.

    No matter how deep her hatred for him was, she’d lost the strength to keep it going after so many years. Life had to go on, after all.

    Julian approached her, never taking his eyes off her the whole time. He looked at her almost greedily.

    It had been three years, and he’d been busy throughout that time–busy with physiotherapy, busy caring for Landon, busy dealing with Neb Group. He’d barely had time to think of her, let alone

    visit her in Faeriab, /b

    But now that he was seeing her again, the longing he’d buried deep within surged and overwhelmed him. He almost couldn’t control himself.

    He and Willow were only a few steps from each other. She was so close that he could see the makeup on her face and the slight moisture in her eyes.

    The past had faded with the wind, but a reunion would still remind them of the pain they’d experienced, despite their covering up the truth with smiles.

    After staring into each other’s eyes for a long time, Julian was almost choked up as he said, “Long time no seeb, /bWillow.”

    She smiled. “Long time no see, Julian.”

    They were divorce,d but were still parents of their children. They would almost havemon topics to talk about–had Gabrie returned with Willow? Would they be settling down in Brindley?

    Still, a banquet wasn’t the best ce to discuss these matters. Besides, someone suddenly joined them. “Ms. Harper.”

    Willow looked at him. “What a coincidence seeing you here, Mr. Sherman.‘

    The man was Patrick Sherman, a heavyweight in the world of art collection. He was also one of Insight’s most important clients. He’d always kept a low profile in the past but had actually deigned to attend this banquet.

    Julian’s gut told him Patrick was pursuing Willow.

    Sure enough, Patrick, who was always stoic and aloof, smiled winsomely. “It’s no coincidence–I came because I knew you were back in Brindley.”

    For a moment, the atmosphere turned a little odd. Still, Willow had seen plenty in the world of business. She soon glossed over the topic and apanied Patrick as they tasted the champagne and talked about interesting things they’d seen abroad. Naturally, she had no time for Julian.

    The dazzling lights and gathering of social elites soon drowned Julian’s solitude.

    Willow went to the restroom. When she came out to wash her hands, she saw Julian smoking while leaning against the wall.

    The door of the restroom swung shut. Willow knew this meant Julian had something to say, so she turned on the faucet and slowly washed her hands.

    She looked at him in the mirror. His suit jacket was still thrown over his shoulders, and his right arm looked inconvenienced. He held the cigarette with his left hand.

    She asked, “What’s wrong with your arm?”

    He looked down at his right arm and said indifferently, “I got into a minor ident earlier and got a slight fracture. I’ll be fine after some rest.”

    Willow didn’t suspect anything. She was calmer than expected after being reunited with Julian- almost as if she’d run into an old friend. Her tone was polite and gentle as she said, “Gabrie couldn’t get used to the weather there and kept having nasal allergies, so we came back.”

    She’d initially been hesitant to return, but Heather and Timothy had persuaded her, telling her that it was better for Gabrie’s future if they were to settle down in Brindley.

    After some thought, Willow said, “Gabrie has a school entrance interview in a few days—you should go with me. I’ll let Esther know the date and ime beforehand.”

    “You can contact me directly,” Julian said firmly. “Do you still have my number?”

    She didn’t answer. She lowered her head and focused on washing her hands.

    The past echoed like a mournful song, reying softly in the quiet night. He could tell she was thinking about things better left forgotten, so he stopped pushing her.

    He stubbed out his cigarette and moved to stand at the counter with her. He looked at her face in the mirror and asked the question that had been guing him all night. “Is Patrick Sherman pursuing you?”

    Willow didn’t deny it. “He’s expressed the intention”

    Julian watched her closely, not wanting to miss even the most minute of her emotions. It was

    almost as if he wanted to see right through her. After a heartbeat, he asked, “How do you feel about it, then?”

    Chapter b227 /b