Chapter 16
When people feel awkward, they pretend to be busy.
I quickly lowered my head, ladling some soup, picking up vegetables, adding rice.
Fortunately, Julian didn’t continue that line of conversation. Instead, he asked about my work environment and living conditions.
I responded respectfully, as one would to an elder.
Finally, he asked: “Has Raine contacted you again?”
I shook my head. With his phone and Instagram blocked, he couldn’t reach me even if he wanted to. Besides, he and Jade were getting along splendidly. Just yesterday, I’d seen photos of them at a concert in her Instagram.
After dinner, he drove me home.
Work had been exhausting lately. His car smelled wonderful, and I inadvertently dozed off.
Sometime later, I vaguely sensed warm breath on my face.
Opening my eyes, I found Julian’s face inches from mine, our gazes locked.
His entire body leaned toward me, his hand at my waist.
I could swear I heard my own heartbeat. Just as I wondered whether to close my eyes, there was a soft “click“-the
seatbelt released.
He straightened, returning his hand to the steering wheel.
“You looked uncomfortable sleeping with the seatbelt. I unfastened it for you.”
His tone was perfectly casual, making my imagination seem ridiculous.
“Thanks Uncle Julian I’ll be going now!” I practically bolted from the car.
In my peripheral vision, I noticed Julian remained parked, not immediately driving away.
Only after I reached the building entrance did he leave.
My phone chimed with his message: [Call me if you need anything. Stay safe.]
Despite in the low 40s, I felt like I’d just sprinted 800 meters in midsummer, completely breathless.
Below his message appeared one from Maddox:
[Raine happens to be in your area, so I asked him to drop off some things. Did you get them?]
10:31
Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
9.7%
Chapter 16
I froze mid–step, looking up to see Raine leaning against the corridor wall.
Cigarette butts littered the ground around him–he’d clearly been waiting a while.
He stared intently at me as I tried to take the bag from his hand, but he remained rigid, refusing to let go.
“Why was Julian Storm driving you home?”
“None of your business,” I replied coldly.
“Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting? You blocked my calls and messages. I couldn’t tell your brother, so I’ve been here since seven o’clock, only to see you getting out of Julian Storm’s car? Haven’t I warned you to stay away from him?”
His tone grew increasingly agitated, giving me no opportunity to interject.
I checked the time–past nine. Apparently, I’d slept in Julian’s car longer than I realized.
When he finally finished, I responded calmly: “So afraid I’ll tell Julian? Though I didn’t say anything, he already
knows.”
Raine tensed visibly, his voice tightening: “He knows? Never mind that–even if you still love me and feel heartbroken, you could turn to anyone else, just not Julian Storm. He’s not what you think.”
“Are you delusional? I don’t have feelings for you anymore.”
He looked as if I’d told the most absurd joke, his eyes widening in disbelief: “You don’t love me anymore? Then who do you love? Julian Storm?”
His tone irritated me, and I instinctively shot back: “Yes, I like him. Happy now?”
I’d never seen Raine wear such an expression–his pupils dilated dramatically, his chest heaving with rapid breaths, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the bag.
“Lyra, stop this nonsense. Let’s pretend I never heard that. If I catch you with Julian Storm again, I’ll tell Maddox. I’m sure he shares my concerns.”
Raine’s shamelessness exceeded my imagination–the perpetrator threatening the victim?
I snatched the bag from his hand.
His face had turned paper–white. As I moved past him, he called out in one last desperate attempt:
“Julian Storm… nearly killed someone.”
11:– Hattan Dival Stole the Spotlight
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.