Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 317

Her voice was light, but it slammed down like a judge's gavel, sentencing him to a bitter end.

Julian struggled to lift his head, gazing at Willow's face through the thick curtain of rain.

She didn't look much different from when she was a little girl, except the soft curves of her eyes were now sharp and piercing. Her adorable innocence had been replaced by a ruthless edge.

The roaring storm drowned out everything. Julian could barely hear his own voice as he mumbled mechanically, "I wasn't... Willow, I just... I just wanted to feel the pain you once had to endure."

Willow found this even more laughable. She tilted her head slightly, her long lashes failing to hide the absolute freezing disgust in her eyes. "Oh, so you finally acknowledge the pain you put me through? Funny how you never mentioned it over the past dozen years. Now that I don't give a damn, you're out here putting on a show. Are you that starved for attention? Do you actually think playing the martyr in front of everyone is going to miraculously earn my forgiveness?"

A look of exaggerated realization crossed Willow's face. "Wait, you don't actually think this pathetic little act makes you some sort of redeemed prodigal son, do you? Julian, I almost feel sorry for you. You really have zero self-awareness. Every single apology that comes out of your mouth makes me physically sick."

The words she spat were lethal, colder than the raging storm. Julian stood frozen, completely paralyzed, unable to muster a single reaction.

All that remained in his vision was Willow turning her back on him without a second of hesitation, her gaze void of any warmth.

It felt as if a massive, gaping hole had been torn through his chest. The freezing wind poured in relentlessly, chilling him to the bone.

The biting cold of the rain seeped into his skin, an agonizing ache that spread through his entire body.

Julian thought in a daze: *Was Willow in this much pain back then?*

*She was so small, left all alone in the freezing rain. Was she terrified every single second?*

Why hadn't he considered that back then?

He had stood safely inside his warm bedroom, watching her through the glass. The thought of her being scared had never even crossed his mind. He only had one thought—

*Punish her enough, and she'll finally learn to obey.*

At that realization, Julian completely froze. The ferocious lightning tearing through the dark sky looked like predatory monsters, ready to swallow him whole.

As the harsh light illuminated his face, he thought: *No wonder Willow hates me. I deserve every bit of this.*

Lucian slowly stepped up to him. Julian flinched slightly, a desperate glimmer of hope flashing across his face. "Please, talk to Willow for me. Please?"

Lucian scoffed, his eyes utterly devoid of emotion. With a flick of his wrist, a gleaming dagger appeared in his hand. He pressed it directly against Julian's throat.

Julian gasped, staring at Lucian in sheer horror.

The blade was razor-sharp. Just a slight pressure against Julian's neck drew a thin line of crimson.

The blood was quickly washed away by the relentless rain, leaving almost no trace.

A dark, predatory smile spread across Lucian's face as he enunciated every word. "Julian, consider this a genuine warning. Stay the hell away from Willow. If you upset her again, I will end you."

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