It was evening, and the sun’s fading light poured into the bedroom.

    Willow dozed off from pure exhaustion.

    Julian had his pants on, and his shirt was draped over lin casually, with only two of its buttons done. One of his arms might have been damaged and looked hideous, but it did nothing to diminish his virility and stunning appearance.

    They were trying to make a baby. So, he didn’t smoke. Instead, he stared at the setting sun as he rubbed her ck hair and reminisced about the hot, passionate moment they had just shared.

    Willow slowly woke up. Unlike before, she didn’t turn her back to him. This time, she remained leaning against Julian’s chest with his broken arm in her sight. She stared at it for a brief moment and asked softly, “Why did you do it?”

    He was immediately stunned. Afterward, he guessed what she was asking about. This was the first freshe had openly brought up Alicia since they had been reunited.

    Lowering his head, he looked at her and responded gently, “Willow, I might have done it out of guilt, but a big part of what drives me is love.”

    Julian loved Willow and Gabrie. Back then, he chose love out of pure instinct. He didn’t want her to feel burdened either.

    He owed her too much, and thest thing he wanted was for her to choose to stay back under those circumstances. Thest three years had been torturous for him, but he still had Landon.

    Willow dropped the matter. Reaching out, she pulled open Julian’s shirt and looked at the scars on fi “Did you go to the physical rehabilitation?”

    “I’ve been keeping at it, and my grip seems to be getting strongertely.” Julian’s voice turned slightly deeper. “But the scars will always be there. Not even skin grafting can get rid of it.”

    The setting sun shone an orange glow on Julian, making him look gentler. His wounds no longer looked that menacing. Some parts of his arm popped out and seemed a little hideous.

    Willow ran her fair and lean fingers across the parts, causing Julian to suddenly tremble. His eyes were suddenlyced with inexplicable feelings.

    Then, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. When he had his fill, he held the back of her neck and said gently, “Don’t touch there anymore.”

    Willow was speechless. Julian didn’t try to sleep with her again this time. Instead, he took a shower and made a meal for her.

    The apartment was like a cave, and they were spending time together like a couple in love. While he was cooking, she made two cups of coffee.

    He reminded her and said, “It’s best if you leave it. Pregnantdies can’t have coffee.”

    Willow responded nonchntly as the coffee machine whirred. “They’re all for you. Aren’t you working overtime tonight?”

    Enarser Sta

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    Julian turned sideways and stared at her, his eyes concealing his thoughts.

    Both of them were very at case whenever they stayed in the apartment. Their painful past was never brought up, and they didn’t say anything that would dampen the mood. For that matter, they didn’t discuss their future either.

    All they did was share a life and a bed. From time to time Willow would even help Julian with his work in the middle of the night.

    When he came out of the bathroom, he saw her on the couch, holding and reading a stack of documents. She even imitated his signature and signed some of the internal papers.

    Julian took them and nced at them. Then, he said naturally, “Why, Mrs. Ziegler, your imitation was impable.”

    Then, both of them were immediately stunned. It had been such a long time since he had called her that. Thest time he did, they were still married to each other. He had always called her “Mrs. Ziegler” mocking tone, warning her not to fantasize about the concept of love.

    Now, however, Julian was the one who yearned for Willow’s love. His desire was so intense that it physically hurt him.

    He wore an affectionate expression and said, “I’m used to calling you that. Old habits die hard, and all that. She lowered her gaze and said, “You should sign them yourself.”

    She wanted to leave, but he grabbed her wrist, pulled her into his arms, and both of them rto the couch. Rubbing her fair cheeks fondly, he spoke in a deep voice.

    “Are you going soft on me?”