Alex POV

As we drove home, the tension between Julienne and me was palpable. I knew she was upset, but I didn't know how to bridge the gap between us.

"Aren't you going to ask?" she muttered, her voice barely audible.

I sighed, knowing that I had to confront the elephant in the room. "Ask what, Julienne?" I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.

She turned to me, her eyes flashing with anger. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. My mother, lunch, Monday..."

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Julienne, I..."

But she cut me off. "Don't lie to me, Alex. I know you saw the pictures. You know I had lunch with my mother, and you're upset."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "I'm not upset, Julienne. I just...I don't know, okay? I feel like there's so much I don't know about you, and it's frustrating."

She laughed, a bitter sound. "You have no idea what frustrating is."

We drove in silence for the rest of the way home, the tension between us almost unbearable. I knew I had to make things right, but I didn't know how.

As we pulled into the driveway, Julienne turned to me. "I'm going to bed," she said, her voice cold.

I nodded, feeling a pang of regret. "Okay. I'll be up soon."

But as I watched her walk away, I knew that I had a long night ahead of me. I had to figure out how to make things right between us, or risk losing her

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as my mind raced. I couldn't believe what had happened at dinner. Julienne's parents were...something else. And Julienne herself was still upset with me.

I sighed and threw off the covers. I needed to talk to her, to clear the air.

I found her in the living room, curled up on the couch with a book. She looked up as I entered, her eyes wary.

"Hey," I said, sitting down beside her. "Can we talk?"

She shrugged, but didn't say no.

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened at dinner," I started. "I know I shouldn't have gotten into it with your father, but..."

"But what?" she asked, her voice cool.

"But I couldn't help it," I admitted. "I don't like seeing you upset, and I know he's the reason for it."

She sighed, putting down her book. "You don't understand, Alex. My parents...they're complicated. And I'm stuck in the middle."

"I know," I said, taking her hand. "But I'm here for you, Julienne. I want to help."

She looked at me, her eyes searching. And then, slowly, she nodded.

"Okay," she said. "Let's do it. Let's face them together."

I grinned, feeling a surge of hope. "Together," I repeated.

And with that, we sealed our fate