Willow didn’t refuse. She got up from the bench and poured Julian a ss of water. Sitting next to the bed, she handed it to him and said calmly, “You’ve been asleep for two hours. It’s almost 4:00 pm now.”

“Are you in a hurry? Got a date?”

Julian took the ss and set it down on the bedside table. Then, without warning, he pulled Willow into his embrace. Their bodies pressed together through the

thin cashmere coat.

His body was hard and warm. Willow squirmed ufortably, letting out a protest. “Let go of me,”

But Julian wasn’t going to release her.

His voice carried a hoarse, seductive quality from the alcohol as he whispered against her ear, “Have you decided about us?”

Willow didn’t want to talk about it, but Julian was relentless.

As he kissed her, his face flushed with a slight tilt of his chin. His entire being exuded a sensual air. He caressed her soft waist, demanding that she give him an answer right then and there.

Willow feared he might push things too far.

She reluctantly leaned against his shoulder, her body pressed close to his.

In her mind, she knew she couldn’t repay Leonard for his kindness. The only way she could do so was by returning to Julian’s side, But from now on, their rtionship would be strictly about money, not love.

When Willow spoke, her voice trembled. “I’ll work with you for Project Aurelia, but I won’t return to Neb Group. Also, I want my personal space. If I want to live somewhere else, I will. And Julian, you can’t force me to sleep with you if I don’t want to.”

She also requested 500 million dors from their joint ount for business ventures.

julian agreed, but he added, “At least once a week. A man can’t hold it in for too long, or he’ll end up in the hospital.”

Willow smiled lightly. Without love between them anymore, it didn’t hurt to discuss these matters. In fact, she could even tease him. “Did Catherine not satisfy you?”

Julian gripped the back of her neck and kissed her deeply. His voice was thick and indistinct. “I never slept with her.”

Willow maintained her cool smile.

At this point, who would care about the details?

She responded to Julian’s kiss, her expression captivating and seductive. “That must be true love then. I envy you, Jun.”

Julian paused and looked at her. His dark eyes shimmered with unspoken thoughts.

Later in the eveningb, /ba ck car rolled over the dusty road, slowlying to a stop at the hospital building.

Willow unbuckled her seatbelt and said softly, “I’ll go in and check on her, I’ll be out in ten minutes.b” /b

Julian grabbed her hand. “Your grandma is my family too.”

Willow gave him a faint smile. “I’m just going in to have a quick word.”

Her voice bwas /bgentle but firm. Julian didn’t want to argue further, so he watched as she walked into the building.

Inside the ward, bit /bwas quiet.

Grace bwas /basleep, and Maureen sat beside her, keeping watch.

When Willow entered, Maureen quickly stood up, her face brightening. “Dr. Watson came by earlier. He said a renowned surgeon named Dr. Frost personally called to inquire about Madam Harper’s condition. With Dr. Frost involved, Dr. Watson said we can rest easy.”

Dr. Watson was the hospital directorb, /bSamuel Watson.

Of courseb, /bWillow had known that Leonard would step in to help.

She sat down by Grace’s bed, gently running her fingers through her grandmother’s gray hair.

Meanwhile, Maureen’s expression gradually shifted to one of unease. “Ms. Harper, did you go to ask Mr. Ziegler for help?”

Willow looked up at herb, /bgiving a hum of affirmation. “Don’t tell Grandma. I don’t want her to worry about me.”

Maureen felt uneasy, but she was just a caregiver. It wasn’t her ce to interfere in household matters. She simply wiped the edge of her dress and said, “Ms. Harper, let me get you a bowl of applepote to soothe your throat.”

Willow noddedb, /bappreciating the bgesture/b.

bSoon/bb, /bMaureen returned with the applepote and handed it to Willowb. /b

b+25 /bbBonus /b

Willow took a small sipb, /bsavoring the sweet vor. She looked up at Maureen and remarked softly, b“/bbIt’s /breally good. Too bad I can’t have bit /bevery day.”

Maureen understood the implication. Willow was nning bto /breturn to the Ziegler familyb, /band a divorce seemed unlikely for bnow/b.

bWillow /bstayed for a little while longer before leaving.

She walked down the narrow hallway. Through the window ss, she noticed that dusk had already fallen outside. In a bdaze/bb, /bit almost felt as bif /bsomeone was calling her bname/bb. /b

“Willow.”

Turning, she saw Jeffrey standing by the window and silently watching her.

Since their exchange at the birthday party, they hadn’t spoken again, and now Willow wasn’t sure how to face him.

After a long pause, she continued walking forward.

She didn’t say anythingb, /bsimply passing by him as they brushed shoulders.

Jeffrey didn’t stop her. He watched quietly as she made her way down the stairs and returned to Julian’s side.

Julian stepped out of the car. He gently pulled Willow into his arms and kissed her. It was ba /bbgesture /bthat clearly showed his bpossessiveness/b.

BIG bSALE/bb: /b3500 bonus bfree /bfou you

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