Seeing Julian again, Willow was overwhelmed with emotion.

    Dorothy’s words echoed in her mind. “When you were inbor and things went wrong, I forced Julian to kneel before me. I only did that to get back at him.”

    Years had passed, and Julian had never mentioned i.

    Even though Julian had always been relentless and calctive, he had never brought this up to

    Willow.

    Under the dazzling lights, Willow stood there in a daze. Dorothy, ever perceptive, immediately realized Willow hadn’t known about this.

    Realizing her slip of the tongue, she quickly picked up Rowena and walked away.

    The long corridor suddenly felt empty with just the two of them remaining.

    Julian was still as he always was, with a suit jacket draped casually over his shoulders. Under the lighting, his lean features were entuated, carrying the charm of a mature man.

    He slowly approached Willow, his voice gentle. “You came alone?”

    Willow just stared at him quietly.

    A breeze drifted through the corridor, lifting strands of Julian’s dark hair, revealing a few silvery threads underneath.

    So, Julian actually had gray hair now.

    In that moment, Willow felt as if a lifetime had passed. They had known each other for ten years, yet she felt as if she had lived her whole life.

    Julian had knelt for her. But what did it matter, knowing now? The past couldn’t be rewritten.

    Her grandmother wouldn’te back to life, and whatever they had between them had long turned to dust. Perhaps only her hatred for him had dissipated a little.

    Willow let out a faint smile. But even in that smile, How much bitterness and grievance were buried within?

    After a moment, she replied, “Yes, I came alone.”

    Actually, she had already vaguely guessed that the conflict between Jeffrey and Rosabelle had something to do with her. Regardless of whether it was her intention or not, she wanted to stay away from it.

    She kept her distance from Jeffrey as she understol Rosabelle. She just loved him too deeply. Loving someone often made people lose their minds, just like Willow had in the past.

    The night was still young, but Willow left early.

    Julian remained in the corridor, tall and elegant, the same image as always. They didn’t even say goodbye, ending the encounter without a word.

    Their love and hatred that were once so intense seemed to have been deliberately buried deep

    within.

    For the next two weeks, Julian made time to go on dates and meals with Sacha. He looked like he was preparing to get married.

    The Cantrells ran a mid–sized business, worth around tens of millions. Though Julian was a divorcée with a child and even had a minor physical disability, Neb Group was wealthy and powerful.

    Even just a sliver of its resources could elevate the Cantrells to a whole new level. So, truth be told, Sacha was still considered to be marrying up.

    At first, Sacha was content. She nned every date carefully, wanting to give Julian the best experience. She put her heart into winning him over, bringing him to Brindley’s finest restaurants, ssical concerts, and romantic candlelit dinners.

    On the Saturday evening that marked their 20th day of dating, Sacha even reserved the entire evening at the best restaurant. She had even prepared herself to ept Julian’s proposal.

    As a woman, she felt that it was important to have a sense of ceremony.

    Coincidentally, the Ivalian restaurant she booked was one that Julian had reserved before— Brindley’s most extravagant revolving restaurant.

    The moment Julian stepped in, a look of reminiscent appeared on his face. This restaurant held too many memories for him and Willow.

    There were good ones, the bad ones, the sweet ones and the bitter ones.

    It was here that Willow had thrown that stack of photos in front of him as she cried sadly. It was here that she said she wished she had never met him and that they wouldn’t meet ever again.

    1

    Chapter b241 /b

    There were just too many memories. That piano in the restaurant–Julian had once yed it.

    Julian lifted the piano lid and sat down, ying a familiar tune with one hand. Memories of the past echoed in the restaurant, lingering for a long time. At the corner of his eyes, a faint glint of emotion shimmered.

    Willow was a regret, a heartache, and a mark he could never erase. She was unforgettable for life!

    Sitting at the dining table, Sacha stared at the man she had fallen for. However, her gaze dimmed.

    She thought that through effort and pleasing Julian he mighte to like her, even if just a little. But the man before her was filled with longing for his ex–wife.

    He couldn’t hide his feelings for Willow, nor did he want to hide them.

    Sacha decided not to do wrong to herself anymore. She had had enough.

    She grabbed a napkin and wiped away her smudged eyeliner. Her voice wasced with sadness as she faced the refined man across from her.

    “Julian, I don’t want to marry you anymore. I mighte from a modest family, but that doesn’t mean I have to degrade myself.

    “Not only do I have to be a stepmother, but I also have to sit here and watch you put on a romantic performance. Who are you putting on a show for?

    “Don’t you know how to show me a little respect? Can’t you just pretend for a bit? You’re such a jerk! As for the 300 thousand dors spent to book this ce, you can pay for it yourself!”

    The more Sacha spoke, the more furious she got. She grabbed a ss of juice and threw it straight at Julian’s face.

    Julian just closed his eyes slightly. Then, realizing what she had done, Sacha regretted it and panicked. She quickly grabbed her handbag and bolted.

    The night was quiet and still. Julian wiped the juice off his face. He couldn’t help but think that he would probably have to go on blind dates again.

    Both families learned about the fallout quickly.

    Mnie called Julian tofort him, partly to test the waters. She was hoping that Julian would take the initiative and pursue Willow again, so the family of four could be reunited.

    But Julian refused calmly, “Mom, what can I offer her? How do I give her happiness?”

    Hearing this, Mnie fell silent.

    Time flew, and soon it was already the holidays. After getting Willow’s permission, the Zieglers picked Gabrie up, reuniting her with Landon.

    Since it was the holidays, Julian stayed home with the kids.

    Noah, who was now working under Julian, had personally crafted two small swings for the children. The two children sat in the swings under the autumn breeze, their joyousughter ringing far…

    Dexter returned from Yarrowmere, dressed in all ck with a canvas bag slung over his shoulder.

    His face was dark, as if he had just crawled out of a coal mine.

    As he closed the door to his Range Rover, he could hear the sound of childrenughing from afar. Then, he saw Julian ying with the children, painting a picture of a happy father with his kids.

    That image was really dazzling to Dexter’s eyes.

    He strode over and rummaged through his bag before pulling out several treats. “Landon, Gabrie, your dear uncle brought you yummy treats.”

    Landon hopped off the swing and ran over to Dexter He gave Dexter a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek before picking out two pieces of candy.

    Gabrie quickly followed behind Landon.

    This was her first time meeting Dexter, but perhaps he shared some resemnce with Julian, she didn’t shy away. She also carefully picked two pieces of candy from Dexter’srge palm.

    Dexter looked at Gabrie and was filled with fondness. He pulled her over for a kiss.

    Then, with one child in each arm, he dered, “Uncle’s taking you two to ride the big horse.”

    As they walked off into the distance, Noah turned to Julian in confusion. “We have a big horse here? Since when?”

    Julian leanedzily against the swing and replied, “Isn’t he the horse?”