Chapter 103: So Eager to Offer Yourself?

Cora hadn’t expected Julian’s temper to explode like that.

He’d gotten angry before, yes—but never like this.

The sudden fury froze her in place.

“Then do your job properly,” he said through clenched teeth. “As long as this marriage exists, if you ever bring disgrace to the Watson name—”

He stopped himself mid-sentence, fury snapping the rest of the words off.

Something small flew from his hand, striking the wall with a sharp crack.

A velvet box hit the floor and rolled to a stop.

Julian didn’t even glance at it. He turned, kicked open the conference room door, and strode out, leaving her stunned in the silence he left behind.

Cora’s gaze drifted to the box lying near the wall.

It had split open, revealing two rings glinting under the lights.

Rings?

She slowly crouched, picking them up. The craftsmanship was exquisite—platinum bands engraved with a faint pattern of intertwined waves.

Her heart stuttered.

She slipped the smaller one onto her finger.

Perfect fit.

Was this… meant for me?

Clutching the other ring, she hurried into the hall, but Julian was already gone.

Back in his office—still empty.

“Mrs. Watson,” one of the assistants said carefully, noticing her searching look, “Mr. Watson went to the boxing gym.”

“Boxing?” she echoed, surprised. He does that too?

She hesitated, then sighed. No point chasing after him now.

The rings were safer with her anyway. The box was ruined, so she threaded them onto the chain around her neck and tucked it beneath her blouse, close to her heart.

—

At the gym, the tension was thick enough to choke on.

Every assistant could feel it—the air around Julian was storm-level dangerous.

No one dared speak.

Julian wrapped his hands and went at the punching bag with punishing force. Every strike was sharp, precise, and vicious. Sweat dripped down his jaw as leather smacked against leather in rhythmic violence.

Baron leaned toward Austin, whispering, “He’s never hit the heavy bag like that before. What the hell happened?”

Austin just sighed. “Who else could it be? Mrs. Watson, obviously.”

Julian’s final punch sent the bag swinging wildly. He pivoted and kicked a second one across the room, the chain groaning under the impact.

Everyone froze.

Austin gestured quietly for the others to stay back. “Let him burn it out. Safer that way.”

Poor guy. Married to someone soft-spoken, gentle, and—currently—pregnant. No wonder he had nowhere else to unload the frustration.

By the time two hours passed, Julian was drenched and spent, sprawled on the floor, chest heaving.

Austin handed him a towel the moment he moved.

Julian wiped his face and hair, then tossed it aside. “Time?”

“Five o’clock,” Austin replied. “The office is closing.”

Translation: Cora has no car home. You sent all the drivers away.

Julian got the message instantly.

He stood. “Pack up. We’re leaving.”

“Yes, sir.”

He disappeared into his private shower, rinsing quickly before toweling off and stepping out—barefoot, hair damp, jaw tight.

He hadn’t even reached the lockers when someone slipped out of the shadows.

“Jule…”

Dina.

She’d been waiting a long time.

Before he could react, she threw her arms around his waist, pressing herself against him.

Julian looked down at her—and his lips twisted into a cold smile.

Gone was the poised Milan runway model.

In her place was a woman in sheer black lace, fishnet stockings, and bunny ears.

“Jule, I missed you so much,” she purred, clinging tighter, inhaling the clean, masculine scent of his skin as if starved for it.

Julian’s brows drew together. “How did you get in here?”

This was his private facility—no outsiders allowed.

“I… I got hired here. As a server.” She looked up hopefully. “For you, Jule. I’ll do anything for you. Don’t you see how serious I am?”

Julian gave a short, humorless laugh. “A server, huh? You really are just like every other woman.”

Not like Cora, he thought bitterly. She only wants to escape me, not cling tighter.

His eyes darkened. The anger he’d tried to bury under hours of sweat began to stir again.

Dina mistook the look for desire. Her pulse raced—she thought she’d finally gotten through.

She arched closer, tracing her fingers down his chest. “Jule, I don’t care where we are. I just want to be yours again.”

Her breath was hot against his skin. “Let me give myself to you… right here.”

Julian caught her wrist mid-motion.

His fingers tightened—enough to make her gasp.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” he said, voice low and cold.

For a moment, his eyes were almost unreadable. Once, he’d thought she was special. Once, he’d even imagined a future with her.

But this?

This frantic, desperate display—this wasn’t the woman he’d cared for.

“I told you,” she stammered. “I’m here for you, Jule. I don’t care about pride anymore. I just want to prove I’ve changed.”

He tilted his head slightly. “So desperate to prove it you’d sell yourself?”

“Not sell—offer,” she whispered quickly, her body trembling. “I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.”

Julian’s eyes flickered with disdain—and something darker.

“So,” he said softly, “you really want to give yourself to me?”

Her face lit up. “Yes, Jule. I’m ready. I won’t regret it.”

He leaned in, his voice brushing her ear, cold as steel. “No matter what I do to you?”

“Never,” she breathed.

His hand tightened around her wrist until she flinched.

“Good,” he murmured. “Because you’ve been testing my patience for a long time, Dina.”

Her smile faltered as the air shifted, heavy with danger.

Julian’s voice dropped lower, each word a blade.

“My temper—and my limits—you’ve crossed both too many times.”

He stepped closer, eyes glinting like frost.

“Let’s see if you’re ready to live with the consequences.”