hapter 112

    Julian’s POV

    I was about to bury my problems away once and for all in the bottle, but a loud knocking on my door stopped me just before the liquid could touch my lips. I lowered the ss, wondering who that could be.

    Olivia immediately grunted with annoyance, her gaze lifting to the ceiling as if silently praying to the Moon Goddess for help. What did she have to be frustrated about? Perhaps she was tired of listening to me prattle on about my problems.

    Wasn’t that what friends did, though? Didn’t she want to be my friend?

    The knocking on the door was even louder this time, a fierce pounding.

    I thought that I had better see who that is. It could be an emergency.

    Turning toward the door, Olivia immediately stepped forward like she intended to stop me. “I’m sure it’s nothing. The wind, maybe.”

    “Open this door, Julian!” Amber shouted. “I’m not leaving until you open this door!”

    “Amber?” I hurried forward, utched the door and opened it.

    Beyond the doorframe, standing outside, were a very angry looking Amber and Anna. They both pushed their way in while I was standing there, gaping. When they saw Olivia, their already foul moods soured even further.

    “You liar,” Anna snapped at me.

    Amber was more subdued, though the disappointment on her face was palpable, and sliced into me like a de. “You made it seem like you wanted to reconnect with me, but that was a lie, wasn’t it? You told me Olivia was pregnant, but that’s probably a lie too! Though…” She looked at Olivia. “You shouldn’t be drinking if you’re pregnant.”

    “Tell her you aren’t pregnant, Olivia,” I said,

    I’d never really seen Amber like this before. She’d been so distant with me for so long, that I’d almost forgotten what it was like to truly feel her ire in this way. Plus, she seemed a bit off–kilter and unsteady.

    Before Olivia could answer, I asked Amber. “Have you been drinking?”

    “I’m not the only one,” she snapped, gesturing to the wine I still held. “Don’t throw stones in ss houses, especially when you are in your hotel room drinking with the woman you cheated on me with…”

    The words were like a p to the face and the least of what I deserved.

    “Amber, I swear to you, this is entirely innocent,” I tried to insist. But she shook her head not listening to ollime. /li/ol

    “How can I possibly trust you, Julian? Especially with her,” Amber said.

    Gods, I was a fool, wasn’t I? Thinking I could still be friends with Olivia while also romantically pursuing Amber. Of course Amber would feel uncertain, given the history between Olivia and I. After all, hadn’t it

    been a night much like this when I had fallen into bed with Olivia.

    I still couldn’t remember it, not past the drinking and then waking up naked in bed beside Olivia. Every

    time I tried to push my memory, searching for answers, I ended up with a headache.

    Maybe my mind was just trying to protect itself from the pain of the betrayal I hadmitted against my

    mate. I wasn’t sure, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t remember anything from that night.

    Here I was, about to start drinking again with Olivia, while in a hotel room, mere feet from an empty bed.

    No wonder Amber thought what she thought. I had practically pushed her to it.

    “I wasn’t thinking,” I admitted to her. “But this was just a friendly chat.”

    “Is that how it startedst time, too?” Amber asked me.

    “Now, wait a minute,i” /iOlivia started.

    “Stay out of this,” Anna snapped.

    “I won’t!” Olivia said. “Who even told you I was here? Or do you always go snooping on people in the middle of the night.”