Chapter 25
Victor Pierce died.
The Pierce family caused trouble for a long time before the Storm family finally silenced them.
Raine was sent to Japan for treatment. I unblocked him, but never received any messages.
Julian’s injuries took several months to heal, but he gradually became mobile again.
I used Jade as an excuse to visit the Storm residence frequently.
Mr. Storm stopped pretending. He glared at me, huffing and puffing.
Julian would hold me openly, using his injured leg as an excuse, and ask him:
“Still want me as your adopted granddaughter?”
Mr. Storm’s cane thumped thunderously as he spluttered, eventually silenced when Jade stuffed his mouth with
grapes.
“Grandpa, say less or my uncle really will stay a bachelor forever.”
Remarkably, he actually stopped talking.
Maddox occasionally visited Julian. He’d grown bolder, using Julian’s first name, though his manner remained respectful.
Sometimes he’d bring business proposals for Julian’s advice, only to slink away after receiving a dismissive “money–losing venture” assessment.
Maddox tentatively told me: “Actually, the person who saved you that day…”
“I know. It was Julian.”
He scratched his head and continued: “When I arrived after his call, Victor was already lying unconscious. You were terrified, wouldn’t let anyone touch you until you heard my voice and dared look up.”
“Then the whole thing was kept quiet. The Storm family didn’t want rumors spreading either. Julian insisted we never mention it to you again, so I didn’t tell you.”
His eyes reddened as he spoke.
I patted his back reassuringly, then turned to glare at Julian, who shrugged innocently.
Once Maddox left, I cupped Julian’s face and demanded: “When exactly did you start having feelings for me?”
He pretended to think deeply, then replied: “I don’t remember.”
10:32
15.6%
Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
Chapter 25
I pinched his ear, half–teasing: “Is your memory failing with age, Uncle?”
At the title “Uncle,” Julian reacted like Pavlov’s dog–his expression immediately darkened.
I quickly soothed him: “I won’t say it again! Don’t be angry.”
He growled through clenched teeth: “You can use it… tonight in bed…”
I hastily covered his mouth.
On the day he fully recovered, he took me to the garden.
Brandishing a small trowel, he asked gently: “Remember your wish bottle?”
I didn’t.
He dug laboriously into the soil. Though his leg had healed, I still worried as I stood watching.
The earth turned, revealing a small, yellowed glass bottle.
Julian picked it up, cleaned it with his handkerchief, and handed it to me.
“Take a look.”
I eagerly accepted it while he gestured with his hands: “I remember you were just this tall back then, always standing at the back, hardly speaking. I thought you might be a beautiful mute girl…”
The unfurled paper revealed childish handwriting:
[I wish to be seen.]
Tears spilled uncontrollably from my eyes. I wiped them repeatedly, but they wouldn’t stop.
Julian grew concerned, urgently asking what’s wrong.
I threw myself into his arms, choking back sobs: “So I was seen all along.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.