Chapter 8
“Come on, he still sees her as a kid,” Maddox stepped in, defusing the situation.
The truth was, Julian and I weren’t close at all. Beyond the routine family interactions and matters involving Jade,
we had minimal contact.
I awkwardly thanked him: “Thank you, Uncle Julian.”
Julian didn’t acknowledge me, simply draping his suit jacket over his arm and walking out.
Everyone immediately followed him.
At the back of the group, Raine suddenly grabbed my wrist, his voice low and accusatory: “Why did you blush when
Julian looked at you?”
I yanked my hand away coldly: “How is that any of your concern? We’ve broken up. What right do you have to question me?”
you
His brow furrowed: “I can’t show brotherly concern? Let me remind you, Julian Storm isn’t someone should
trifle with.”
Two years of dating–holding hands, embracing, kissing–everything but sex, and now he’s retreating to a “brotherly” role?
I took a deep breath, controlling my voice: “My own brother hasn’t said anything, so what kind of brother are you?”
Raine appeared stunned but quickly composed himself: “Stay away from him, and… I hope you won’t mention what happened between us.”
So that’s why he pulled me aside. He was afraid I’d get too close to Julian and reveal our underground relationship, potentially affecting his pursuit of Julian’s niece?
Looking at his somewhat evasive expression, for the first time I felt contempt for myself and my choices.
Thankfully, I’d only wasted two years on him.
“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. After all, I really…”
After all, I’m truly a coward..
We move in the same social circles, our parents are close, and we constantly cross paths. My brother considers him his closest friend. Revealing everything would strain relations between our families.
But before I could finish, his eyes suddenly blazed with intensity as he interrupted: “I knew you truly loved me. If Jade hadn’t returned, I genuinely considered staying with you permanently. But she’s back.”
“Lyra, I started dating you because of that love. Just as you love me, I love Jade the same way. You understand me,
Til Hi Hatter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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don’t you?”
He stared eagerly, waiting for my affirmative response.
But I couldn’t understand–when you love someone, how can you date someone else?
Looking at his face, I suddenly couldn’t even muster the energy for accusations.
“Whatever you say. From now on, let’s be strangers to each other.”
I left him standing there and hurried to catch up with Maddox.
Jade insisted on American barbecue after three years of French food abroad.
With Maddox’s recent injury requiring a restricted diet, we headed home early.
In the car, he suddenly asked: “Are you and Uncle Julian close? The way he looked at you was strange.”
I startled, remembering his silhouette on the balcony. Seeing that garden scene must have seemed like childish romantic drama to him. Perhaps he found it amusing?
I shook my head: “Don’t be ridiculous. You know I’ve barely spoken to him–certainly less than you have.”
“That’s true. Just stay away from him,” he warned.
Why was everyone so afraid of Julian?
I wanted to ask Maddox, but his expression turned serious, and I ultimately remained silent.
Back home, I logged into my Instagram account and scrolled through it from beginning to end. This was the private account I’d created to document our relationship. When I wrote those posts, I believed I was the luckiest person
alive.
But looking at them now, I only felt bitter irony.
[Today I ran to Maddox’s room pretending to need homework help. I actually know all the answers, but just wanted. to see him. Raine was so gentle, even tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I didn’t absorb a single word of
the lesson.]
[OMG HE ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO TRY DATING! Of course I do! I thought I’d be secretly crushing on him forever. Never imagined there’d be a day when clouds would part and sunshine would break through.]
[Calling him tonight, I heard noise in the background, plus my brother’s voice saying something about “taking a girl’s call during guys‘ night.” Raine laughed and told him to shut up, then spoke so sweetly to me, wishing me goodnight. I can’t even!]
[He sent more flowers. Though they’re not my favorite lilies of the valley, I’ll take perfect care of them anyway. I love anything he gives me!]
[He says we’ll go public at our two–year anniversary! I wanted to make a video montage, but looking through my
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Chapter 8
phone, I realized we don’t have a single photo together. He says he doesn’t like being photographed.]
Now I understood–he feared leaving evidence of our relationship.
I read through everything, then deleted the account.
Like a half–cooked pot of rice I’d struggled to swallow–I finally realized it was time to spit it out.
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.