illow bid the cabson siblings goodbye at 9:30 pm.

The gray Rolls Rowe Ghost gradually disappeared from her line of sight. Willow stood there for a moment longer and was about to bhead /bback into her apartment

Moe calling out, “Willow.”

Then, she locked eyes with julian as the night breeze blew.

He was standing next to his ck Rolls–Royce F Phantom. He had donned ba /bssic three–piece suit, looking very sefined.

Still, Willow could tell that n had lost weight and gotten more canned since they’d hadst met

A breeze swept by, carrying with it the fragrance of tuberoses. It also brought with it the blingering /bechoes of their past. Those memories weighed upon them, unwilling to be forgotten

It had been two months since they hadst met, btwo /bbmonths /bsince they had to their rtionship indo sheds. Yet, it felt as though it had been centuries since then.

They stated at each other for a long while before putian approached Willow. bThen/b, he stood before her and raised his head to look at her apartment.

Finally, he murmured, “I’ve been here since 7:00 pm, but I did’t want to disturb you

after seeing

E you band /bJeffrey bying /bwith sparkders.”

willow didn’t bsay /ba word in response

Julian’s voice remained gentle. “It’s our fifth marriage anniversary today, I returned to Yarrowmere just to surprise you. I booked ba /brestaurant that has the best night view here, even bought byou /bthe white roses you love.”

Julian opened the car door, brought the bwhite /broses out from

in the passenger seat, and pulled out an exquisite–looking vehert box.

Then, he opened it, disying a six–carat pink diamond ring

Julian looked at her deeply before holding Willow’s hand, intending to put it on her finger. “Happy fifth anniversary.”

s, Willow curled her fingers together, refusing bto /blet him put it on. She mutteredb, /bb“/bbJan/b, I can’t ept your bted gifts. bYou /bshould sign the divorce bpapers /bif you really want to make me happy, Esther may have forgotten to inform you about this, but our divorce hearing is in two daysb./b”

Julian’s brows furrowed slightly. “In two days? Willow, today’s bour /bmanage anniversary. I mashed back here from Yanowire

Willow cut him off, saying, “It doesn’t matter even if you rushed back here from Grandsburg. Jullinb, /bhow many times do I have to tell w us. I no longer love you, nor do I like you. Is this clear enough for you? Can you fimally bunderstand /bwhat I’m trying to say now?”

The night bree swept by once more, ruffling palian’s dark hair,

He lowered his gaze and asked, “Have you fallen for jeffery?

Willow didn’t answer.

She didn’t need to tell julian anything now that they were through.

1 you this? It’s overbetween

Willow span on her heel and left, thinking, “it were to be honest, whatever feelings I’ve had for polian had been strangled at the cradle long ago.”

Jalian was the one person on Earth who had absolutely no right to question her like this.

The night was so quiet that Julian’s hoarse voice pined the alt as clear as day. “Willow, I’ve really missed you.”

His work at Yarrowmere had been hectic and extuusting

Regardless, he had taken to looking at her pictures every night before he went to bed. He bwould /blook at it and wonder what she was doing Then, his mind would wander to the day they would finally see each other again at Brindley.

He had imagined every single possibility, but never once did he think it would end

Willow attend momentarily before walking away, her pace even faster bthan /bbefore.

Dow she was back in thete confines of her apartment, the slumped against the door and tilted her head back as tears shimmered inher eyes,

adn’t cleared the dishes on the dining table, and the bottle of champagne was merely halt eimpty.

had acquired ban /bauction house todayb, /bso the cabson bsiblings /bhade over to celebrate her sess. She didn’t expect Julian toe ov

Honestlyb, /bshe had forgotten about their anniversary

Snowy came bounding over, warping

Willow bent down and scoped her dog into her am before burying her face in its watt belly-

Even though she knew it wasing, she felt tied and hurt by the death other manage

ir was surprised and pleased to see that palian had returned to Grandview Manor. “Mr. Ziegler, you’re back