“Let go…

    Julian ignored her plea. His eyes were filled with affection as he cupped her face with one hand, as if wanting to devour her whole. He even grabbed her arm, looping around her neck.

    He wanted her to watch how he kissed her.

    Everything turned chaotic in an instant. All the repressed love and hate erupted at once, turning into physical entanglement.

    Outside, a drizzle fell softly.

    In the end, they didn’t cross the final line. Willow leaned against his shoulder, her voice soft and desperate. Julian, I still hate you.”

    Julian’s shirt hung loose. He held her slender body in his arms, his voice husky and emotional “I know Willow, I know.”

    As soon as he said that, tears slid down her cheeks. She didn’t want him to see her at her most vulnerable

    state.

    Later that night, Julian returned to the master bedroom. He dumped the suitcase into the walk-in closet and headed to the bathroom. As the hot water washed over him, he nced at his right arm, recalling ire feeling of Willow’s touch earlier.

    They had been married for years, so he could sense her heart softening. But she still couldn’t let go of the

    past.

    After that night, it was clear that Willow was avoiding him.

    During the day, it was fine when Julian was at work. But at night, when he came to see the childrer always pretend to be washing up or applying skincare products, trying to avoid being

    2with hi

    One evening, the children were asleep. Julian got up and noticed the light was on in the walk in closet, He walked over quietly as the thick carpet muffled his footsteps.

    Willow was applying her skincare products absentmindedly. Julian leaned against the dressing table, fiddling with the jewelry pieces ced on top, which were the ones she often wore.

    The pair of pearl earringsy cold and untouched.

    He asked her gently, “I haven’t seen you wear them these past few days. If you don’t like them, I can pick out something else for you next time.”

    Willow looked at him in the mirror. After a moment, she replied, “No need for that.”

    Julian’s gaze deepened, hitting the nail on the head. “After thinking about it for a few days, you decided not to forgive me, haven’t you?”

    His bluntness nearly made Willow lose her temper.

    Julian continued softly, “But you still feel sorry for me and want to pity me, don’t you?”

    Willow lifted her head to meet his eyes. After a long pause, she resumed applying her lotion, her tone

    * 15 ROMUAL

    вони

    indifferent.

    “Julian, you really haven’t changed at all. When you wail something, you’ll do anything to get it. And when you don’t want it, you’ll just discard it mercilessly,”

    Julian didn’t deny it. He lowered his head, watching her intently. He whispered, “Then, do you still like me?”

    Willow didn’t answer and continued with her skincare routine.

    In the blink of an eye, the day of the surgery arrived. After a month of living together, their rtionship had changed slightly, carrying a hint of attraction within the hatred.

    At 9:00 am, the cky luxury car slowly pulled up in the hospital parking lot. Before getting out of the car, Julian held Willow’s hand. “If you’re scared, you can still change your mind.”

    The egg retrieval through IVF was painful andparable to childbirth. Julian understood and was worried about her.

    But after so many injections, Willow couldn’t give up. She opened the other car door and stepped out, julian had no choice but to follow after her.

    Unexpectedly, they ran into Jeffrey and Rosabelle in the hospital. Rowena was sick.

    Jeffrey was carrying Rowena in his arms. She had a pitiful look on her face as she clutched Rosabelle’s hand and whispered, “Mommy, don’t go to work today, okay?”

    Rosabelle stroked Rowena’s head gently. “I’ll wait for you to fall asleep and only go to work after tha