After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 272

Chapter 272

Louisa’s face flushed hot, her heart pounding wildly Weren’t they standing a bit too close!

Her thoughts scattered like leaves in a storm the struggled to form a coherent ught, finally managing to say, “What if we post take it hary with wor

Julian laughed softly. You could take it back, place it in a vase, nourish it with water, protect it from wind and rain. Yord shelter it wily at

separated from its roots, removed from its natural environment and soil, you’d be destroying its life force. How many days of Moom do ya taak of would

have left?

Louisa felt those words hit her like a physical blow

The way he described the flower–it was so much like her own story. Wasn’t she st like this flower before? When George had rigged her wings and kryt

her captive at home.

Julian was different. He never forced her to do anything, never used his power to pressure her into accepting outcomes she didn’t want. He gave hers platform, space to grow, freedom to flourish while still shielding her from life’s forms. He protected her, yet respected her. He was too ged to bar.

Julian noticed her silence and reached out with his free hand to gently ruffle her hair. Everyone has the right to experience their own life. Son of can control another person’s desires or choices. All we can do is accept life’s unexpected turns and other people’s decisions including their unfaithfulness Because loyalty doesn’t require collateral.”

“So by that logic, does true, loyal love even exist? Louisa asked,

Julian smiled softly at her. “Of course it does, Loyalty needs no collateral, but lo has a prerequisite.

Louisa didn’t understand. Her bright eyes fixed on him. “What prerequisite?”

“Loving yourself, Julian replied. “To receive genuine, complete love, a person must first love themselves enough.”

“You’re saying the reason I felt so much pain in my marriage was because I forge to love myself while loving him?”

Julian tapped her forehead lightly. “Smart girl. After a pause, he continued, “Love gained through self–sacrifice can never last. To truly love someone else, you must first have the capacity to love yourself.

Louisa was rendered completely speechless. She hadn’t expected Julian to understand human nature and life so thoroughly.

Without thinking, she blurted out, ‘How many people have you actually loved?”

Surely such philosophical insights came from experiencing profound love?

Julian looked at her, his eyes filled with undisguised tenderness. ‘One.”

Again, Louisa found herself at a loss for words. The way he looked at her made la want to tell him that she knew that one person was hes. Her heart raced uncontrollably….

No, no, no She couldn’t let her thoughts continue down this path. It was too torous

Hurriedly averting her eyes, she said with forced casualness, Whoever she is mu be incredibly lucky

‘If you want to know, I can tell you who she is, Julian offered.

“No, no, that’s not necessary, she quickly declined

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Chapter 272

Her panicked evasion caused Julian’s gaze to deepen, turning slightly cool.

She felt like she was falling apart inside. Why did they have to discuss love tonight of all nights?

Thankfully, he didn’t pursue the topic. Louisa silently exhaled in relief and quick stood up. “Should we get going?

“What about the flower?” Julian gestured toward it.

Without their protection, the flower was once again assaulted by the falling droplets, its stem nearly bent from the impact.

Louisa felt sorry for it too, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet Julian’s eyes. It would be too easy to lose herself in them.

Head bowed, she murmured, “You figure something out.”

Julian chuckled softly, deciding not to press her further.

A couple walked past them, the woman holding a fruit tea in a cup wrapped in a disposable plastic bag.

Julian smiled at them. “Hello there.”

The woman looked at him with delighted surprise. “Are you talking to me, sir? Can I help you with something?”

Her excited tone and admiring gaze visibly irritated her boyfriend, who remarked, “Did we break up and I missed the memo?”

The implication was clear: ‘Is it appropriate to look at another man that way? He then shot Julian a hostile glare.

Julian smiled reassuringly. “No misunderstanding here. I was just wondering if you’re still using that plastic bag? Could I possibly have it?”

“Of course! The woman immediately removed her drink from the bag and handed it to Julian.

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He accepted it with a polite “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome! Sir, if you’d like-*

“We re leaving,” her boyfriend interrupted, pulling her away before she could finish.

Julian took the plastic bag and crouched down, tying its ends to tree branches sot formed a small canopy that blocked the falling water droplets.

Protected from the assault, the flower seemed to sense their kindness, blooming brilliantly in the darkness.

Julian stood up and turned to Louisa. “Better now?”

“Much better. You re incredible–there’s nothing you can’t do. Shall we go?”

‘Let’s go.”

They continued their leisurely stroll. They had no choice–George was waiting allians door upstairs, and Louisa didn’t dare return

After walking for a while, they sat down on a bench near a fountain. After theirlier conversation, Louisa felt awkward. Whenever she accidentally met

Julian’s eyes, she quickly looked away.

Silence stretched between them. The awkwardness grew.

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Chapter 272

After a moment, Louisa pulled out her phone. “I wonder if George is still there.

contact Sadie and have her get rid of him.”

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Julian didn’t object.

Louisa opened WeChat and quickly messaged Sadie: [Sadie, that psycho George is waiting outside Julian’s room. Thankfully Julian and I got out first. Can you please find a way to get rid of that lunatic?]

Sadie replied: [That jerk! He seriously belongs in a mental institution.]

Louisa: [I don’t care how, just get him to leave. Otherwise Julian and I can’t go back tonight.]

Sadie: [On it!]

After that, Sadie went silent, presumably working on a solution.

Louisa put her phone away and sat on the bench, looking at the sky, the ground anywhere but at Julian. She just wanted to pretend their earlier conversation never happened, that those words were never spoken.

But it was getting late–already past eleven. Louisa couldn’t fight her drowsiness anymore. She sat straight on the bench, her head nodding forward repeatedly.

Julian sighed with resignation. “How long are we going to stay out here? Are you that afraid of him?”

Louisa was too tired to think. She answered automatically, “I’m not afraid of him But George is completely unhinged. What if he hurts you?”

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