bWillow /bblooked /bbdown /bat Julian and took in his humble attitude. If bno /bbfor /ball the pain and suffering she’d experienced because bof /bhimb, /bshe would probably have been moved to bits.

    He was one of Brindley’s most unattainable men was there any woman who didn’t want him?

    It was too bad he’d hurt her one too many times. Her heart was in pieces.

    Julian was like a bottle of venom disguised as honey. He looked nice but was highly poisonous. Willow was scared of bthe /bconsequences and didn’t dare have a taste of him anymore.

    She murmured, “Forever is a long time—can anyone guarantee anything for that long? Leave, Julian, and don’te here

    anymore.”

    She pulled her wrist out of his grip and went back inside the house allowing the darkness of the night to swallow her up, leaving Julian with nothing but a vague view of her green pajamas.

    He remained on his knees as thunder rumbled in the sky. The raindrops continued to fall, making him feel like he was being shot by arrows as theynded on him.

    When Willow got to the second floor, she saw Caleb standing on thending and ring at her. She sidestepped him and asked, “What are you doing up sote? Is it because I haven’t given you enough work?”

    He followed her, suppressing his anger as he muttered, “You went down to see him. I can’t believe you did that! Is it because you’ve taken pity on him?”

    She

    ended not to understand him. “Have you joined some group that focuses on catching people red–handed? Should I pay you overtime for this?”

    Caleb helped her to her roomb, /bhis head drooping as he said sullenly, “Whatever it is, you’re not allowed to see him anymore. You’re not allowed to be nice to him or reconcile with him. Do you hear me?”

    Willow wanted to continue teasing him, but her heart ultimately softened. She rubbed his head and said, “I was already married for two years at your age, Caleb. I’ve weathered many storms in my career, and I’m now pregnant with my ex–husband’s child. “We’re not a good match, no matter how you look at it. Stop wasting time on me and move back home tomorrow, okay?”

    He refused to leave. He said, “Come on, I was just joking! Don’t tell me you took me seriously. My dad has given the green light for me to stay here—he wants me to pick up a thing or two from you. You’re not allowed to object!”

    She couldn’t bring herself to say no to him when he was being so cute.

    Julian left the following morning. He kept appearing on the news for the next week due to Neb Group’s acquisition of anotherpany. He seemed to be ill–he was haggard but still as handsome and regal as ever. He was the center of attention wherever he went, and all eyes were on him.

    Caleb hid all the newspapers so that Willow wouldn’t see anything to do with Julian, and she indulged him.

    After a few days, the leaves of the maple trees in the mountains turned crimson. Willow and Heather headed to Cornerstone Chapel to pray for the baby.

    Heather made a donation to the chapel and asked one of the priests, Soren Halston, to choose a blessed name for the baby and keep it safe for life. Beforeing to the chapel, she and Timothy had talked things over and decided the baby would take the surname Harper as a gesture of gratitude to Grace.

    Soren rolled his rosary beads and smiled. ‘It’s better for the child to take the Ziegler surname. It’ll help keep the child safe from cmity and turn misfortune the other way around.”

    Chopter 172

    Heather bwondered /bwhether the Zieglers had somehow bribed him bto /bspeaking up for them. As she band /bWillow left the bchapel/b, bthey /bchatted and brealized /bbthey /bhad the same thoughts.

    The sum was bsetting/bb, /bband /bbthe /bleaves looked like they were on fire the sun’s rays shone down on them. From afarb, /bthey looked like crimson clouds.

    When they got to the parking lot, they saw that the car they’d take to the chapel was missing. Heather thought the chauffeur had driven down the mountain to buy some cigarettes and was thinking about berating him when she bgot /bbhome/bb. /b

    Just thenb, /bba /bpleasant voice rang out. “I told the chauffeur to leave. Mom, Willow, let me take you guys home.i” /i

    Heather and Willow turned in the direction of the voice and saw Julian standing beside a ck car. He wore a gray coat over a ck shirt and pantsb, /band the silver watch on his wristpleted the look. He was handsome and regal

    Heather appraised him. She had to admit he cleaned up well.

    Julian opened the door to the backseat, looking like the perfect gentleman. “I fell sick a few days ago and didn’t visit because I didn’t want to pass it on to Willow. I’m all better now, though. Momb, /bplease get in.”

    Heather couldn’t help thinking that he was admirable in the way that he could humble himself so. Stillb, /bthere was no way she was getting into his car.

    She was trying to think of a way to counter his move when a shy pink Rolls–Royce pulled over before them. The window rolled down to reveal Caleb’s spirited face.

    He hopped out of the car and opened the door to the backseat. Then, he grinned and said, “Momb, /bafter you.”

    Heatherughed. Even Willow couldn’t help smiling. Life truly was more cheery with Caleb around.

    Chapter b173 /b