Chapter 68: A Bitter Heart

Isabella's POV

We turned around.

Standing there was Julian, wearing a gray cashmere coat with a white turtleneck sweater. His smile was warm and gentle, inviting you to draw closer. This kind of goodwill had been so rare since I was forced to become a member of the Black family. Completely different from his brother Ethan, who always wore a cold expression.

Just thinking about Ethan made my chest tighten. The sensation of that kiss came back to me—his forceful lips, the cold scent of his body... No, stop thinking about it. He didn't see me as a person at all; he was just humiliating me, nothing more.

I glanced at Sophie, and her reaction startled me. Her face suddenly turned deathly pale, and she immediately turned her back to Julian, her entire body trembling.

"Isa...Isabella, I just remembered something urgent. I have to go," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

"Sophie, what's wrong?" I asked with concern. What was happening to her? The normally brave Sophie now looked like she'd seen a ghost.

Julian's footsteps grew closer, and Sophie's breathing became rapid. She leaned in and whispered urgently, "I'm not feeling well. I need to take a day off. I have to go home and rest." Before I could say anything, she had already slipped between the clothing racks and fled through the side door.

Julian approached, his brow slightly furrowed as he watched Sophie's retreating figure. "Was that your friend? Why did she leave so suddenly?"

"Julian," I greeted him politely, hiding the confusion in my mind, "she wasn't feeling well, so she went home first."

"Shopping for clothes?" he asked, looking around the store.

I looked at the outfit Sophie had picked out earlier. It was indeed beautiful, but too expensive, and the style didn't really suit me—too eye-catching.

"Just browsing," I said with a smile.

Julian seemed to notice my hesitation, and his eyes softened. "If you like it, buy it. My treat."

"No, thank you. I'm really not here to buy clothes," I quickly refused. The last thing I wanted was to accept charity from the Black family.

"Which one?" he persisted.

"Julian, I really don't need any clothes." I was getting anxious inside, hating this kind of push and pull. Refusing too completely would make me seem ungrateful, but accepting would make me feel small.

The sales associate suddenly appeared, holding the outfit. "This lady was looking at this set. It's this year's new collection, and she has excellent taste. With her grace, she would look absolutely enchanting in it."

Julian pulled out his phone, completely ignoring my objections. "We'll take it."

I was speechless. Seeing that I couldn't stop him, I quickly took out my own phone. "No, let me pay for it myself." I'd rather max out my credit card than spend the Blacks' money.

Julian held my hand down, frowning slightly. "As your brother buying something for his sister, don't be so distant."

Sister. That word struck me. Brother? Growing up without a father and with no siblings, I had no idea what this kind of family relationship felt like.

"Julian, thank you for your kindness, but this outfit is too expensive. I don't want you to spend so much. Let me handle it myself." I still felt uncomfortable accepting it.

"How about this—consider it a gift from me to you. When you succeed in your career later, you can return a gift of equal value to me. Would that work?" The sincerity in his eyes as he said this made it hard for me to continue refusing.

Finally, I had to accept. Unlike that time when Ethan forced a whole closet of clothes on me, as if giving alms to a beggar, Julian's approach made me feel respected.

He smiled and said, "Remember, you owe me a gift. I'm curious to see what you'll give me in the future."

I smiled shyly, looking down at the floor.

After finishing our shopping, we walked out of the store. "Where to next?" Julian asked.

"I should head home. You go about your business; don't worry about me. I can take the subway," I said. Though I didn't want to return to that suffocating mansion, I couldn't keep bothering Julian.

Julian laughed. "I still need to buy some underwear. I'm heading home anyway, so I can give you a ride."

His direct mention of underwear made my face flush. I kept forgetting he was a doctor, accustomed to discussing these things frankly.

On the drive back, Julian told me several touching stories about his young patients. His way of speaking was so warm and natural, completely opposite to Ethan's cold, cutting words. How could brothers be so different?

"Don't feel burdened living in our home," he said as we turned onto Park Avenue. "Just treat it like your own home, and think of me as your real brother. That will make things easier."

If only I had met Julian first instead of Ethan, maybe my days at the Black household would have been much better. Though I knew it wasn't possible, the thought still warmed my heart.

When we arrived at the Black mansion, I got out of the car and waved. "I'll go in first, Julian."

"Go ahead. I'll park the car," he replied, turning toward the garage.

I had barely reached the front door when I came face to face with Ethan, who was just coming out. Seeing him, my heart jumped suddenly, then quickly froze over. Don't show any emotion, I reminded myself.

His deep eyes stared directly at me. I immediately lowered my head, focusing on the ground, trying to slip past him. Since that kiss, I hadn't been able to look him in the eye.

As I passed by him, my arm was suddenly caught in his grip. The touch sent a shock through me. I was held firmly in place, unable to move.

"No matter how much you hate me, you used to at least greet me," he said in a low voice, with a hoarseness I couldn't understand.

I kept my lips tightly pressed together, saying nothing. What right did he have to treat me this way? One moment humiliating me, the next acting wounded? I was the one being bullied.

"You hate me even more now, don't you?" he asked, with a struggle in his voice I had never heard before.

I stubbornly maintained my silence. He gave a bitter laugh and released my hand.

"Isabella, you forgot your shopping bag," Julian called from behind.

I snapped back to reality and quickly turned to take the bag. "Thank you, Julian."

He smiled warmly. "You've said 'thank you' too many times today. It's just a piece of clothing. Don't forget, I'm still waiting for the gift you owe me."

I smiled slightly and nodded. Carrying the bag, I walked into the house, brushing right past Ethan without giving him a single glance.

Ethan's POV

I stood at the doorway, my face dark with emotion. I had arranged for dozens of outfits to be delivered, yet she hadn't even glanced at them. But Julian only gave her one item, and she was this happy.

This contrast cut like an invisible knife across my heart. Was it because she hated me so much? The thought made me feel even worse inside.

Julian paused and asked, "What's wrong? You don't look right."

I clenched my fists tightly, thinking about how sweetly she smiled at Julian compared to how coldly dismissive she was toward me. The two faces she showed were completely different people. This discrepancy really fucking pissed me off.

Julian sighed softly. "Isabella is actually a really good girl. Stop bullying her."

My Adam's apple bobbed as I swallowed hard, still saying nothing. I wished I could go back to how things used to be, when I could dislike Isabella without any burden, when I could hurt her without feeling any pain myself. How simple that was.

Unlike now, when her damn cold glance was enough to keep me tossing and turning in agony all day long.