Willow bought an at the painter’spleted words and wrote him a check for an instead, which made him very satisfied.

Willow smiled talitly.

1st left, shar tomed to house, who hind pucaled. “Ikonow you’re wondering why i paid sia le a low price. It’s because I don’t want money in wear baway /b

even more than Charlie hachin fir day.

for hinn füthe world, and dry then, his paintings bwill /bbe with a foutine. Even the smallestim

Andr had always used Willow’s

After ünisiding their listiness, they left fliesclub and sl feel gooilleyes in the

Willow had just opened her cas done when a familiar, mocking, voler song out behind her, “cat back together with my cousin?”

Willow turned her head in loukat Dexter and replied coldly, “What does that have todo with you!

b?? /b

Destersmeered “Nothing at all, but I warned you boetisie, didit 1/Myenisin is like a wooll ir ?bilevur you without leavily; atraer, by the end be signing with Aurelia. Do you really thinki

mince you’re no longer useful in ?sam, be

Respirsalon tinned cruel. “By then, ? you’ll just be an eyesine, ”

bWillow /bremained indifferent. “taxveill Hat’s time, Istill has nothing to do will you ”

The neon lights flickered across Willow’s face, casting a colorful glow that made her usually rokdexpressions appear more lively.

Dexter stated at her, and for a split second, an intrusive thought crossed his mind – what kiel of expression woold Willow have beneath pun? Would she lusin herself inquassion?

Upon realizing his own thoughts, he felt

He had always despised Willow, but bnew/b, bfor /bfound himself jealous of julian.

Willow quickly drove away. When she got back to her apart i

but the door and leaned against 18, zoning mit for a mjómrust.

Later that night, she grabbed two cans of

dIwn cans of beer and headed in the rooting.

The scent of flowers filled the spring night ?s alt,

Willow tilted her head back, gazing at the starry shy as her emotions slowly settled. She thought about bthe /bbpast /band the future, then smiled with relief–time could truly bheal /beverything

julian. She would consider

er him as just a dream from her youth.

Just as she thought of Julian, he appeared. He was cantying two cans of beer, the same brindashures.

Willow timed to look at him. The night wind tousled her long halt, making her look a little bit muckyouthful.

Julian disregarded his exprisive talloid sult and sat beside her with the beer. He cracked open a canal spor saply. “Willow,e to Yarrownee with se We’ll bring Grandma toob./b”

Willow sald neiling-

ben gazed into the vast darkness of the night and continued, “I don’t Inst others with Project Aurelia. F’ll have to stay Here for at least six months And bWillow/bb, /bI

Willow smiled faintly “julia, we’re getting a divorce.”

ze deepened as he

confessed ramently, “Not as a paper in the world of power and wealth, int as the matrian of the Zieglers, but as any wife I will never betray you for the rest of my life.

palian’s

was momentarily stimu

on’s voice canted a trace of bitterness as he said, “Willow, in fact, the best yo

ranit Evennumently, Willow, you are

But Willow inngri dared to believe inline

amtbed serenely and tilted her head

be best years of our lives were spent supporting eachother.

+25 bBonu /b

Julian took off his coat and gently draped it bover /bWillow’s shoulders. When his fingers brushed against her shoulder, a sudden warmth surged through his heart.

bWillow /bhad always been his home

Now,

v, he wanted to give willow a home.