After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 493

Chapter 493

That’s what he said, but once they lay in bed, neither of them slept.

Julian’s clear gaze rested on her face.

Louisa saw a trace of melancholy in his eyes.

She shifted closer into his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m really not angry anymore. Don’t blame yourself.”

Her voice was soft and soothing.

Julian stroked her hair gently and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Trust me. It won’t happen again.”

Louisa smiled faintly but didn’t respond.

She knew he wasn’t asleep.

After a moment of silence, she spoke first. “When I was little, my dad kept moving us around. A lot of times when people came to the door, he’d hide me in a closet or the basement. I was terrified. I wanted to tell him not to lock me up, but I knew he was doing it to protect me.

“Is that when your fear of the dark started?”

“Yes.” Louisa continued, “I didn’t blame my dad. I figured if he had any other option, he wouldn’t have locked me away. It was a last resort. Maybe… that’s just what life is–constantly facing impossible choices…”

Hearing this, Julian understood. She was comforting him.

She was saying she understood the choice he’d made in that situation.

He immediately said, “No. It wasn’t an impossible choice.”

Louisa looked up at him.

Julian said, “I didn’t handle it well. You’re my girlfriend, and she’s my mother. Your existence doesn’t conflict. Love and family can coexist.”

Louisa was silent for a moment.

For a man, love and family could coexist.

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Chapter 493

Because both women loved him, as long as both compromised for him, his love and his family could peacefully coexist.

But for her, it wasn’t like that.

She’d spent seven years proving that between a mother–in–law and daughter–in–law, there was only binding obligation, reluctant compromise, superficial harmony–never true affection.

She didn’t respond to that. Instead, she continued, “That’s why I studied hard as a kid and worked myself to the bone as an adult. I wanted to make sure I’d never become a burden on anyone I loved, so I’d always have choices, and so I’d have the power to protect the people and things I care about.”

“So I’m not your only choice, is that it?”

His voice was tinged with melancholy it floated near her ear.

Louisa didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She lightly thumped his chest. Of everything she’d said, that’s what he focused on?

She’d hoped that after she left today, he’d be clear–headed enough to make his own choice.

Part on good terms.

She didn’t know if Julian understood the subtext.

He probably did, though.

He was smart.

Julian did understand.

She was acting too unusual today–so unusual it made him uneasy.

Add to that her silence and stillness over the past few days.

He lifted her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Louisa, your father told us to break up, didn’t he?”

Louisa’s pupils trembled slightly. She couldn’t speak.

She hadn’t expected him to guess.

Her gaze flickered away Instinctively. “What are you talking about? No.”

Julian watched her flustered reaction quietly, his tone still gentle. “Won’t tell the truth? Then I’ll go ask your father myself.”

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Chapter 493

Louisa fell silent.

Why was this man so impossible to fool?

Wasn’t he supposed to be exhausted?

How was his mind still so sharp?

With nowhere to hide, she finally admitted, “Yes. My dad thinks we’re not right for each other. He wants me to resign… and break up with you…”

Under the intensity of his gaze–commanding, almost oppressive–she stumbled over the words several times.

Naturally, in this situation, she left out the other option.

Julian asked, “Do you want to break up with me?”

Louisa didn’t answer. Inwardly, she thought: After today, whether I want to or not, we’ll have to break up.

Because it wasn’t just her father who disapproved–his mother didn’t either.

She stayed silent. Julian wasn’t in a hurry to press her.

He just watched her quietly.

Louisa’s heart pounded under his gaze.

Finally, after a long pause, he spoke. “I’m guessing your father didn’t just say ‘break up,‘ did he?”

That hit the mark. Louisa instinctively stopped breathing.

She stared at him in disbelief. How could he possibly know what her father said?

Did he plant a bug on her?

She reflexively glanced down at herself. That didn’t make sense.

Julian couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction.

Of course he hadn’t bugged her.

But he and her father had talked before. Her father had even entrusted his daughter to him–there was no reason he’d refuse to let them be together.

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Chapter 493

So breaking up couldn’t be the only option.

Her father’s choice must have been: either break up, or get married.

She didn’t want to marry, so she’d automatically ignored that option.

Now, seeing her reaction, he knew he’d guessed right.

He was so frustrated his chest ached. He pulled her tightly into his arms. “Louisa, you are my unwavering choice.”

That sentence responded both to the current topic and to what she’d said earlier.

Louisa couldn’t speak. She felt the sudden urge to cry.

If he was this unwavering, how could she leave?

But she’d already agreed with his mother.

She’d already submitted her transfer request.

She had no choice but to go.

Later, Julian fell asleep.

She couldn’t bear to sleep. She just kept watching his face quietly.

She’d thought that seeing him one last time before leaving would be enough.

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