Ditched the Cheater, Pregnant by Mr. Righ novel Chapter 5

5 The Man

He was tall, dressed in a tailored black suit under a matching full-length cashmere coat. The warm light from the shop’s awning cast his profile in shadow, but she could still make out the high bridge of his nose and the sharp line of his jaw. His deep eyes were like an ocean, exuding an air of cool indifference.
His looks were top-tier, but what truly arrested the heart was the powerful, aristocratic aura that clung to him like a second skin. It was an intimidating presence that commanded respect and instilled a sense of awe.
He glanced down, his eyes briefly meeting hers, and the dim streetlamp caught a sharp glint in his gaze.
Quinn’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear in a flustered gesture. She had seen her fair share of handsome men. Chase himself was very good-looking. But she was unprepared to be so completely stunned by a stranger. A blush crept up her neck.
Thankfully, he was taking long strides and passed her in an instant.
She didn’t see him turn his head slightly to catch a glimpse of the tips of her ears, bright red against the white fur collar of her coat.
Quinn hurried into the shop. She had known the old couple for over a decade and considered them family. They treated her like their own granddaughter. If there was anything in her life that Rosalie hadn’t managed to take from her, it was these two dear people. Rosalie had come here twice, full of curiosity, but she quickly lost interest, complaining that the alley was dirty, the old couple was boring, and the shop was old-fashioned. After that, she never came back.
In those days, Quinn had wanted to share every part of her life with Rosalie. The result was that Rosalie had quickly won over all their relatives and friends, leaving Quinn isolated. For years, the two old tailors in this shop had been Quinn’s only source of warmth.
She was chatting with them when she heard a noise at the door. She looked up and felt that jolt of surprise again.
It was the same man. He had come back.
Adele Parker put down her fabric and took off her reading glasses, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Julian? What are you doing back?”
It was indeed Julian.
He must have been walking quickly, as a lock of hair had fallen across his forehead. His narrow, obsidian eyes were unreadable as they swept over Quinn before settling on Adele.
“I just remembered my mother’s birthday is coming up. I’d like to order a custom gown for her.”
“Your mother’s birthday? Isn’t that still six months away?” Adele asked, confused. “Why order it now? You usually come in a month before.”
“Work is busy. I’m afraid I’ll forget.”
Adele smiled, “Alright. It’s warm in here. Take your coat off. Let me finish with Quinn, and then I’ll help you.”
Quinn looked down at her phone, hiding the surprise in her eyes. The man exuded such an air of refined power that he seemed completely out of place in this tiny shop. And yet, Adele spoke to him with such familiarity. She wondered what their relationship was. Pushing the thought aside, she focused on the color swatches she needed.
“Quinn, dear, what do you think of this one?” Adele sat down beside her, and they began to talk in low voices.
Once Quinn had selected her items, she stood up to leave. This shop was usually her sanctuary, but today, with the addition of this man and his overwhelming presence, the cozy space suddenly felt cramped and suffocating.
“Adele, I should get going…”
She stood too quickly and bumped into a nearby clothes rack.
“Careful.”
A cool, woody scent filled her senses. She looked up to find the tall, imposing figure of the man standing beside her, one hand steadying the rack. He had taken off not just his cashmere coat but his suit jacket as well. The crisp black fabric of his shirt was rolled up twice at the cuffs, revealing a glimpse of the strong, defined lines of his forearms. In the warm yellow light, she could see the faint blue of veins beneath his pale skin, an unexpectedly intimate detail that radiated masculine strength.
Quinn’s heart gave a hard thud. She stammered a thank you and quickly stepped back, nearly tripping over Adele.
“Oh, Quinn, what’s gotten into you today? You’re all thumbs,” the old woman said, steadying her with a teasing smile.
“Are you okay?” Quinn asked, startled. “Did I step on you?”
“No, I’m fine,” Adele said. “The weather’s turning. You should head home. Drive safely.”
Quinn didn’t dare stay a moment longer. After confirming the old woman was alright, she grabbed her things and hurried out.
Once she was gone, Adele looked Julian up and down, teasing, “Something’s not right with you today.”
Julian stood and retrieved his jacket, replying, “Don’t tease me. Please take care of my mother’s gown.”
Adele just smiled, “You rarely come here, and when you do, you’re in and out in a flash. But today, you waited patiently for nearly half an hour. Was it really for your mother’s dress?”
Her face held a knowing look that saw right through him.
Julian stood tall, his movements clean and efficient as he put on his coat.
Adele stepped forward to smooth the lapels, warning, “Quinn is a beautiful girl, but don’t you get any ideas. She’s married.”
“I know.”
The old woman was taken aback.
“You know? You know her?”
Julian hummed in assent. He adjusted his cuffs, saying, “I have to go.”
Adele knew his temperament and didn’t press him.
“Drive safe.”
When Julian stepped out of the alley, Quinn’s car was gone. His driver opened the door of a discreetly luxurious sedan, and Julian slipped inside.
Two miles down the road, his phone rang. He answered it, “What?”
“Well, well. Someone’s in a good mood.”
Julian raised an eyebrow, asking, “You can tell?”
Zeke Croft laughed, replying, “No one else could, but we’ve known each other since we were in diapers.”
“Cut the crap, Zeke,” Julian said, his voice cool. “Get to the point.”
“It’s about you. What else? It’s your own fault for being so damn handsome. All these women are dying to throw themselves at you, but you won’t give them the time of day. So now they’re trying to get to you through other channels. My grandmother just got another request to set you up on a blind date.”
Julian’s eligibility was off the charts, and countless heiresses and debutantes were vying for his attention. But he was naturally dominant, arrogant, and cold, impossibly hard to get close to.
Julian said nothing.
“I know you’re not interested,” Zeke continued, “but at least show my grandma some respect. You have no idea what they say about you behind your back.”
“Not interested.”
“With that personality of yours, I have no idea what they see in you,” Zeke grumbled. “Anyway, they’re all gossiping that you must be… you know… huge. That you look like you would be incredible in bed. They’re practically fantasizing about ripping your pants off to measure you…”
“What is this nonsense?” Julian cut in, his brow furrowed. “I’m hanging up.”
“Wait!” Zeke said quickly. “Your new yacht! When are you going to invite me to see it?”
“This weekend,” Julian said. “Bring a few people.”