Chapter 63 The Lines He Draw
Julian adjusted his cufflinks with slow precision, eyes fixed on his reflection. The morning light streaming through the tall glass windows of the penthouse painted his figure in sharp angles. He exhaled deeply.
What happened last night refused to leave him.
In the entire thirty years of his life- of indulgence, of experience, of control- nothing had come close to that. It hadn’t just been sex. It had been consuming. Disarming even. For a few reckless moments, he had lost awareness of everything- his enemies, his father, the pressure closing in from every direction.
He had lost himself in her and forgot about his worries.
And that was precisely the problem.
Sleeping beside her until morning would have meant something else. It would have blurred a line he was determined to keep bold and visible. They had just gotten married. This was still a contract. Structure mattered.
He could not afford to let her believe it was anything more. Because he didn’t want to believe it was or make it more than what it was. He wasn’t capable and wouldn’t lead her on beyond what he could give.
He had already noticed the way she looked at him and responded to his presence, his touch. The softness in her gaze. The way her breathing changed around him. She was getting attached to him.
He could not let that complicate everything. And he believed she was like that because he was his father of her child and they had history, even though it was a very short ‘one night’ kind of history.
Julian did not believe it was love. Seraphina couldn’t be that delusional. And apart, she had just seperated from his twin recently. She only needed distraction. That made the two of them- he thought.
But he couldn’t let the temporary distraction blind him.
He had plans.
Phoenix would be homeschooled where he could monitor things personally. Seraphina would regain her father’s assets with his help and her right as the true heiress; he had already begun mapping the legal pathways. And his father… exposing his father’s darkness would require patience, but he was almost there.
Damien’s recording sat securely in his possession as well.
It was only a matter of time. And Keith? That was personal.
A faint smirk curved his lips at the mirror before he turned away.
—
As he stepped outside and approached his car, another door opened nearby. Vincent emerged from the building across the driveway, keys spinning loosely around his finger.
Julian paused. “I thought you left last night.”
Vincent almost froze but composed himself. He didn’t expect to meet his boss here. “Decided to crash in one of the guest rooms. I was tired.” His lips curved.
Julian nodded. “It’s good you showed. I don’t feel like driving this morning.”
Vincent arched a brow “Where to?”
“I’m going to see Adrian’s aunty.”
“Oh. Any update yet?”
Julian opened the boot and dropped a leather bag inside. As he shut it, an image slammed into his mind—Seraphina last night, breathless, her voice breaking as she cried into his mouth and came. Tingles of sparks were felt all over his body within that di second of remembering.
“Boss?” Vincent’s voice pulled him back and he blinked.
“What?”
Vincent studied him for a second longer than usual before asking, “I asked if there’s any update.”
Julian masked himself instantly. “Same situation. Still haven’t found the kid’s mother. I’m just going to reassure his aunty.”
As his gaze shifted, he caught sight of Seraphina and Sheila stepping out of the penthouse entrance. A heavy bag rested in Sheila’s hand.
He realized Sheila was leaving that morning. “Stay here. I’ll be back.” He said to Vincent, eyes on the two women.
—
Seraphina’s heart betrayed her the second she saw him approaching.
The memory of last night was still living rent free in her head in a way that was beyond mind controlling.
Sheila greeted Julian brightly as he approached them. “Good morning! I was going to inform you I’m leaving, but your wife said you left home early.”
Julian’s gaze flickered to Seraphina before he answered evenly, “That’s right. I told her I was leaving early but came back to pick somethings.”
He stepped closer and pressed a soft peck against Seraphina’s cheek.
Seraphina’s skin burned under it. She beamed at him like a typical wife would.
Sheila hummed knowingly.
“I’m going to drop her at the airport,” Seraphina said, clearing the short tension the kiss just caused.
Julian’s head tilted slightly. “Oh?”
He turned to Sheila. “Excuse us for a moment.”
His fingers wrapped gently around Seraphina’s wrist as he guided her aside, just beyond hearing distance.
“What do you mean you’re going to drop her?” he asked quietly.
Her gaze traced his face involuntarily before she steadied herself. “I’m dropping my best friend at the airport. Why the questioning?”
“You’re not allowed to go anywhere alone. You know that.”
She sighed, forcing composure. “It doesn’t have to be extreme every time. I should be able to visit some places on my own.”
“It does,” he replied calmly. “You signed a contract. You agreed to abide by what I say. You do that, and there’s no buts.” He stated as a matter of fact..
Experiencing his cold, controlled side again stung Seraphina more because she knew what he had been like last night. The contrast made her chest ache.
She swallowed and nodded. “Fine.” She didn’t want to argue with him. She wanted to believe he was easy on her so bad.
Julian returned to Sheila with a polite smile. “I’ll be dropping you instead. Unfortunately, my wife and I had a rather… rigorous night. She woke up complaining about a headache. I’d rather she rest.”
Seraphina’s cheeks flushed instantly. Of all things to use as an excuse…
Yet, mixed feelings tangled inside her- embarrassment, irritation… and butterflies that were uncalled for.
Sheila laughed. “Ahh! I see. So she’s officially off-duty.”
She hugged Seraphina tightly and whispered into her ear, “You bagged the last perfect man on earth. He cares about you.”
Seraphina smiled, finding humor in Sheila’s delusional claim.
Perfect?
If only she knew.
Julian faced Seraphina again, eyes boring into hers. “Go inside, wifey. I want to see you enter before we leave.”
As she turned, her eyes caught Vincent inside the car. He lifted a hand in greeting.
Her stomach flipped.
A flash of what she saw earlier this morning in Joye’s room appeared in her head. It was a secret she was keeping to herself for now. She forced a wave back before walking into the building.
—
Inside the car, Vincent drove. Julian sat in the passenger seat. Sheila occupied the back.
She began ranting about work politics in Seattle. Vincent engaged her lightly, asking questions, teasing occasionally. The atmosphere was casual.
Julian remained mostly silent.
His gaze drifted to the passing cityscape. His mind was elsewhere. On many things.
Seraphina’s expression when he pulled away from her lingered in his thoughts longer than he liked.
They finally arrived at the airport.
Vincent stepped out first and retrieved Sheila’s luggage from the boot. After setting it down beside her, he returned to the car and said his goodbye.
Julian placed a hand lightly on Sheila’s shoulder.
“I’ll be back,” he told Vincent before walking a few steps away with her.
He faced her fully now. Sheila smiled at him. “Thank you for bringing me to the airport. I’m sure you had better things to do with your morning.”
“You’re Seraphina’s best friend.” Julian suddenly said.
Sheila’s brows drew together slightly. “Yes. Is there a problem?”
Julian leaned in just enough to lower his voice.
“Then why did you snitch and tell Talia she’s alive?”
Sheila tensed beside him immediately. Her fingers tightened slowly around the handle of her luggage.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Julian kept looking, waiting for a logical answer.