After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228

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Louisa was utterly miserable. Having barely escaped the intimate atmosphere in the study, why would she

create more tension for herself? The book had become a hot potato in her hands.

Without even glancing at him, she tossed it back. “Read it yourself. I’m going to watch the flower.” With

that, she quickly stood and walked toward the bar area.

Julian didn’t try to stop her. He remained on the sofa reading while she settled on a high stool at the water

bar, leaning forward to observe the plant.

The room fell completely quiet, occasionally broken by the crisp sound of turning pages.

Before long, Louisa began to feel drowsy, her eyelids growing heavy.

Still, she forced herself to stay awake. After waiting so long, the Rose of Jericho’s leaves had entered a state

of expansion, with vibrant green life spreading from its core.

It would definitely bloom tonight. She couldn’t give up now.

In this moment, even she didn’t understand why someone who normally valued her time would waste it on

something so childish.

Time ticked by minute by minute until it was past three in the morning. Unable to fight it any longer, she

fell asleep at the bar counter.

Soft, shallow breathing filled the silence.

Julian set down his book and walked over to her. Her sleeping profile looked delicate and peaceful. He

reached out, gently brushing strands of hair from her cheek.

The touch disturbed her slightly, but instead of waking, she took his hand and nestled her face into his

palm, falling into a deeper sleep.

Julian carefully lifted her from the counter, cradled her against his chest, and carried her back to the sofa. He sat down, letting her sleep against him, his movements gentle enough not to wake her.

Still, Louisa briefly opened her eyes, looking at him in confusion.

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Chapter 228

“Go ahead and sleep. I’ll wake you when the flower blooms.”

“Okay, don’t forget,” she murmured drowsily before falling back asleep.

Julian opened an app on his phone and turned off most of the living room lights, leaving only a soft,

ambient glow from a light strip.

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Occasionally, he would look down at Louisa sleeping in his arms, his finger lightly tracing her eyebrows.

Even in her dreams, she seemed to sense this gentle, protective presence, sleeping soundly and peacefully.

The sun rose without either of them noticing.

Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the coffee table and illuminating the verdant Rose of Jericho. It had silently blossomed during the night.

Julian looked down at Louisa. “Louisa.”

She didn’t wake, only murmuring something incoherent before burrowing deeper into his embrace, her arms wrapping around his waist as she continued sleeping.

Julian smiled softly, stroking her hair. “Come on, time to wake up.” His voice was low and tender, sounding less like someone waking another and more like someone coaxing them.

Feeling disturbed, she irritably pushed his hand away. Let me sleep ten more minutes.”

“Are you sure you can wake up in ten minutes?”

“I can,” she replied, her words soft and endearing.

Julian lowered his head, his lips brushing against her ear as he chuckled. “Fine. I’ll kiss you for ten minutes

and see if that wakes you up.”

With those words, Louisa jolted awake instantly. She quickly sat up straight, rubbing her eyes and checking the time on her phone–just after six.

She was about to ask why he’d woken her so early when she caught sight of the Rose of Jericho in the

sunlight.

Fully alert now, she slid off his lap and hurried toward he bar. The emerald leaves had completely

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Chapter 228

unfurled, displaying a miraculous vitality in the morning light.

“Julian, come quick! It really bloomed!” she exclaimed, gesturing behind her.

༥ ཐཱ,38% –

Julian approached with a smile, taking her outstretched hand and slipping his arm around her waist from

behind.

Louisa didn’t notice his gesture. All her attention was on the flower as she gazed at it, reaching out to

gently touch its leaves.

The scaly leaves unfurled layer upon layer, like an endless spread of vitality.

Looking at this sight, she felt unexpectedly moved. This plant wasn’t particularly beautiful–it had no vibrant colors or pretty blossoms. Yet it floated there, embodying the resilience and quiet beauty unique to

desert plants.

Her eyes grew moist. “If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. Growing in barren desert, taken far from its homeland, deprived of all nutrients–yet still able to curl up and conserve its strength.

“Give it just a little water, and it miraculously revives. It’s truly amazing.”

She seemed infected by the plant’s tenacious life force. In the sunlight, her bright eyes shone with radiant

light.

Julian watched her, bending slightly to kiss her eyebrow. “Yes, its wisdom lies in never complaining, accepting whatever environment it finds itself in–just like you.”

She was stunned, turning to him in disbelief. “So from the beginning, it was… meant for me?”

“Yes.”

In that moment, she felt an indescribable emotion. She felt his kisses falling again–on her ear, on her cheek. This time she didn’t pull away, her body trembling slightly in his embrace,

After a long while, she came back to herself and pushed him back a little, frantically patting her pockets.

Julian asked with amusement, “What are you doing?”

“Where’s my phone?”

Julian went to the sofa and retrieved both their phones handing hers over.

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Chapter 228

༥ ཏྟཱི,38% –

She opened the camera and took photos of the plant. After capturing several images, she posted them

online with the caption, “My Rose of Jericho has finally bloomed.”

“I want to post too,” Julian said, handing her his phone Post it for me.”

Louisa didn’t think much of it, assuming he simply wanted to document this miraculous moment.

Taking his phone, she first saved the photos from her post, then asked, “What do you want to say?”

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