After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 522

Chapter 522

“I’m scared.”

Julian answered without a trace of shame.

Louisa was speechless.

But he was holding her so tightly she could barely walk steadily. Her breathing quickened.

Julian leaned close to her ear and spoke again. “Ms. Forbes, you said you’d protect me. You have to keep your promise.”

His low, magnetic voice was accompanied by warm breath brushing against her neck, making it hard for her to breathe evenly.

‘Fine, fine, I’ll protect you-”

Before she could finish, a dark shadow flashed in front of her. She screamed and threw herself into Julian’s arms, scrambling up his body with surprising

agility-treating him like a tree.

Julian had seen her tree-climbing skills before. Without needing any help, she’d already climbed up his body, legs wrapped tightly around his waist, arms

locked around his neck.

The whole maneuver left his heartbeat a little unsteady.

He sighed quietly, supporting her with his hands under her hips, holding her securely. Then he turned his head to look.

It was a lynx-sleek and muscular, with distinctive black fur.

It crouched on a rock, ears erect, golden eyes sharp and gleaming in the dim light. Its form exuded a fierce, untamed wildness.

Louisa had her back to it, but she could still hear its low growl. Her body trembled involuntarily.

Julian patted her back gently, like soothing a child. “It’s okay. Don’t be scared.”

Louisa’s voice shook. “Is… is it gone?”

“Not yet.” Julian answered her while calmly locking eyes with the lynx.

Louisa tried to turn her head cautiously to see what was happening, but the moment she did, she met the lynx’s fierce, piercing gaze.

She shuddered and immediately turned back, her voice on the verge of tears. “Make it go away.”

She was genuinely terrified of large, powerful animals.

Julian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Ms. Forbes, this is your territory. If anyone’s going to make it leave, shouldn’t it be you?!

Louisa kicked him lightly in frustration.

The lynx seemed to sense that the humans meant it no harm. After staring at Julian for a moment longer, it flicked its tail and disappeared into the dense

forest.

7:00 pm

ppp.

Chapter 522-

Louisa heard rustling in the underbrush and immediately asked, Is it gone? Is it gone?”

Julian sighed helplessly. It’s gone.”

Only then did Louisa climb down from him.

In the heat of the moment, she hadn’t thought twice about scrambling onto him.

Now that the danger had passed, she felt awkward. She glanced at in a little sheepishly.

She was met with Julian’s half-amused gaze. Annoyed, she snapped, “What are you smiling at?”

Julian said, “Ms. Forbes, as the project lead, you’re awfully timid. I’m genuinely curious how you manage to work during the day.”

Louisa said, ‘I work during the day. I don’t come in here at night.”

Julian smiled. “So you’re saying this is my fault?”

“It is your fault, she muttered under her breath.

A

He’d been idling around the cottage all day, then suddenly decided to come here at night.

Of course it was his problem.

Julian smiled indulgently. “All right, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come at this hour. Let’s head back.”

“You’re not going to look around?”

“You’ve done a great job. I don’t need to.”

Louisa fell silent.

She quietly followed him back along the path they came.

By now, night had fully fallen. Deep in the forest, with no lights around, everything was pitch black.

Louisa was already afraid of the dark, and after that scare, her legs felt weak.

Julian noticed.

He crouched down in front of her. “Get on.”

Louisa hesitated for a moment, then climbed onto his back.

Julian carried her slowly toward the mountain entrance.

The forest ranger stationed at the entrance saw them from a distance and hurried over. Ms. Forbes, are you hurt?”

Julian said, “She was frightened.”

7:00 pm

Chapter 522

ppp.

Louisa felt embarrassed and lightly punched his shoulders

The ranger looked bewildered. The person who said she’d protect someone… got scared herself?

Strange things happened every year, but this year seemed especially full of them.

On the way back to the cottage, the streetlights were sparse and the road uneven.

Louisa lay quietly on Julian’s back.

For some reason, her restless heart-adrift for so long-suddenly felt grounded in this moment.

She rested her cheek against his shoulder.

Silent. She said nothing.

Julian still sensed her mood.

He slowed his pace and spoke gently. “What’s wrong?”

Louisa didn’t answer at first, but eventually, she asked the question that had been weighing on her for days. “Julian, what are you really doing here?”

Julian chuckled softly. “Must’ve been hard on you, holding that in for

SO many days.”

“Forget it if you’re not going to tell me.” It wasn’t like she had to

know.

Julian laughed quietly. “What else would I be doing here? I came to chase after my girlfriend, obviously.”

Louisa’s heart trembled. Instinctively, she said, “Didn’t you want to break up with me? Why would you chase me?”

Julian said, “When did I ever say I wanted to break up?”

Louisa said, “Didn’t you tell me I could go wherever I wanted?”

Isn’t that what breaking up means?

Julian said, “Yeah, you can go wherever you want. I’ll just follow you. Is there a problem with that?”

Louisa fell silent.

She hadn’t known what he was thinking. He never finished his sentence. How was she supposed to know?

Feeling a little sullen, she asked again, “Then why did you drive me away?”

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