Chapter b204 /b

    Julian stepped into the car. Esther sat on the passenger seat. She turned sideways and said softly, “Thepany’s monthly meeting will be held in half an hour. Mr. Ziegler, here are the materials for your perusal.”

    Julian halfheartedly leafed through it. He felt a little restless. It was like something was going to happen. Putting the document down, he ryed an order to Esther.

    “Cancel the meeting and make it tomorrow.”

    Esther was immediately stunned.

    After that, Julian drove alone to Willow’s apartment. For a while now, he would swing by the apartment whenever he couldn’t contain the yearning in his heart. He would spend his time cleaning the ce and making a meal.

    He would convince himself that she was still with him and that they were still happily married. In his fantasy, she opened the door, surprised him, and said, “Julian, I’m home.”

    How he longed to hear it. However, a word from her felt like a wish too distant for him to grasp.

    As usual, Julian cleaned up the apartment, reced the vase with some fresh white ca lilies, and had some food ingredients delivered to the doorstep. Peace would onlye to him when he was busy with something.

    A few minutester, a steady chopping sound echoed from the kitchen.

    Julian made Willow’s favorite food, ribs. Carefully coating the ribs with flour, he lowered them into the pan with hot oil. Amid the crackling of the frying pan, he thought he heard someone opening the door.

    His body went stiff at once. Then, he let out a self–derisive chuckle. Willow would nevere here. She ha about this ce. He was the hopeful fool who thought of this ce as their home.

    bably forgotten

    Julian went back to frying the ribs. One by one, he lowered them into the pan. Without warning, he turned the gas off and turned around slowly.

    Willow stood in the living room, still in the same outfit she wore when she rang the bell earlier today. A white floral dress fluttered over her knees, and a ck zer was draped over her shoulder.

    She had a small suitcase in her hand, and it looked like she was going on a trip. She probably came here because she needed to get an important item.

    Julian stared at her for a brief moment before he suddenly asked, “Where are you going?”

    Willo fell silent and said, “Faeria.”

    Then, she headed to the bedroom to get something. The apartment would go up for sale. Aside from some important personal belongings, she intended to leave everything behind.

    Before long, Willow was done packing her stuff. When she exited the bedroomb, /bJulian was still standing there. He gave her a soulful look with a hint of longing lingering in his eyes.

    “Share a meal with me. The dish is about to be done.”

    Willow cast a nce at the kitchen, which was filled with warmth and the bustling of everyday life. It was the simple, quiet life she used to yearn for. However, it meant nothing to her right now

    Turning her gaze to Julian, she said nonchntly, “I’m going to sell this apartment off. You will give your key to Annie and stoping here!

    “Julian, this isn’t our home. Your home lies in Grandsburg.” Willow was done talking and intended to leave.

    But thenb, /ba pair of arms wrapped around her. Julian pulled her close from behind, burying his face against the curve of her neck, his voice trembling.

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    “Don’t go!

    “Willow, don’t leave me. We’ll give it another shot, and this time I won’t let you down.”

    Willow remained unwavering. Pushing him away, she left without a single word.

    Julian cried out in a hoarse voice, “Willow!”

    Still, the door mmed shut. Willow had left him without a trace of hesitation.

    He remained where he stood for a long time before he went back to the kitchen and looked out the window.

    It was evening, and the sky was bathed in an orange glow. It reminded him of the day he proposed to her.

    Julian lowered his head and turned the gas on once more. Then, he started cooking as if Willow had never been here, and he didn’t know she was leaving the country in the first ce.

    He convinced himself that his ignorance would make her stay in Brindley and that he still stood a chance of bumping into her in

    the city.

    Once Julian was done cooking, he made two cups of Mendhling coffee. It I was her favorite brand.

    He settled into the cozy living room with the white ca lily the same way as when Willow was still around.

    on one side and an

    ajarptop on the other. Everything was set up

    From this day on, Julian never saw Willow again. She went to