Chapter 656 Samuel on Taylor's Idea: Nothing Short of Crazy
Upstairs in the master bedroom, Taylor sat quietly on the sofa, staring out at the night.
The sky was heavy and black, without a single star.
She watched for a long time, until her eyes began to sting. Julian came in from the kitchen, carrying a mug of warm milk.
His voice was low, touched with a kind of masculine gentleness, "Drink something warm. It might help."
Taylor lifted her gaze to him. She didn't take the milk. Instead, she asked plainly, "Have you ever slept with her?"
It was her bottom line.
Julian's long, elegant fingers stayed wrapped around the mug. His eyes held hers for a moment before he spoke quietly, "No. I never have."
He set the mug down on the coffee table.
Knowing she wouldn't drink it, he sat across from her. His expression was calm, but there was a weight in his voice as he began to speak of the past—painful memories that were hard to articulate.
He explained, "I never imagined that a few months of contact would bring disaster to my brother. I've replayed it over and over, wondering if I could have chosen differently. But, Taylor, life rarely gives us that choice.
"What happened, happened.
"My brother died, leaving behind our grieving parents and a little girl who needed raising. I had no choice but to accept it. I didn't even know who to blame—Cressida abandoned Luna and disappeared. I never thought she'd return."
The night outside was deep and silent. Julian's gaze lingered on Taylor.
There was much he hadn't told her. He was not as flawless as she might think. Beneath the composed exterior, he carried his own scars.
But Taylor—Taylor was different. She was calm, intelligent, and exceptional. In her, it felt as if every good thing in the world had found a home. The first time he saw her, it was as if someone had lit up the darkness.
Taylor was his redemption.
Now, with Cressida back, he had been forced to open old wounds. He didn't know if Taylor would still choose to stay. But whatever she decided, he would respect it.
Under the glow of the crystal chandelier, Taylor's expression was unreadable.
She had never been one to drag out decisions, yet now she hesitated. She truly liked Julian, but she knew that with Cressida in the picture, their relationship—and any future marriage—would not be easy. By all logic, she didn't need to invite such trouble into her life. But feelings were never logical.
Taylor lowered her eyes to the diamond ring on her finger. For a moment, she seemed ready to take it off. Instead, she simply brushed her fingertips over it.
When she looked back at Julian, her voice was low but steady, "I have only one condition. Luna stays with us. I will not let her fall into Cressida's hands. She doesn't love that child. Luna would be worse off with her than with Thalassa."
Julian didn't answer.
In the warm light, his features were impossibly striking, and his eyes carried a strange intensity. It was because of Taylor—because she had chosen him.
She had chosen Luna, too.
Neither of them noticed that the door connecting to the adjacent room had opened. A small head peeked out from the shadows—it was Luna, who should have been asleep.
She heard everything. Her tiny face was frozen in surprise, but she didn't run in or cry. Instead, she slipped back into her bed, pulled the blanket over herself, and clutched a pink stuffed rabbit to her chest, pretending it was Taylor.
Just before sleep took her, she whispered into the dark, "Aunt Taylor."
Back in the living room, Julian eventually knelt in front of Taylor, lowering his head until his forehead rested on her knees.
He said nothing, just stayed there, holding her quietly. After what felt like ten minutes, he lifted his head and kissed her.
The kiss deepened, grew heated, until they both tumbled onto the soft sofa.
That night, Julian was relentless.
Later, Taylor lay against the pillows, her breath unsteady, her skin warm beneath the thin blanket. She listened to the sound of snow against the window and the rush of water from the bathroom as Julian showered, lost in thought.
They were lovers—soon to be husband and wife. Even if he tried to hide it, she could sense his intentions. He would deal with Cressida.
Taylor felt no sympathy for a woman like that. But she didn't want Julian's hands stained by it.
She had chosen him, and that meant protecting Luna. She knew exactly what Cressida was holding over them: a custody battle.
Taylor picked up her phone and dialed a number she hadn't expected to call.
Samuel.
Her voice was husky from the night's intimacy. "Samuel, I want to make a deal."
Samuel wasn't clueless. He could hear what her voice implied, and it stung.
His tone turned sharp. "You've got to be kidding me, Taylor. You spend the night with Julian and then call me? What is this—bragging to your ex-husband?"
Taylor ignored the jab.
"I think you're in a tough spot right now. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be keeping Zenobia around after she lied to you. Samuel, if you help me with one thing, I'll make sure SamZen Tech never has a problem I can't solve."
Samuel stood on his balcony, gripping the phone, letting out a cold laugh. "Dr. Montague, that's quite an offer."
He was a practical man. Temptation won out. "Tell me what you want."
Taylor didn't hesitate. "Luna. I want you to be her legal father—on paper."
Samuel froze.
After a long silence, he bit out, "You're out of your mind. That's Julian's daughter. And who exactly do you think will be her mother?"
The wind howled through the phone.
Taylor's answer was calm. "Me."
Samuel thought Taylor's idea was nothing short of crazy.