Mr. CEO Your Wife Has Wanted a Divorce for a Long Time (by Zora Pradeep) novel Chapter 486

**Freedom 486**

**Chapter 486**

Once she had hung up the phone, Julia exchanged a few courteous pleasantries with Rex, her lips curving into a polite smile as she prepared to make her exit. The atmosphere in the room was electric, charged with the bubbling excitement of both the Brown and Green families, who were practically vibrating with anticipation.

Julia, however, was a different story. On the surface, she maintained an air of calm and poise, but inside, her heart was a tempest of warmth and restlessness, fluttering like a caged bird yearning for freedom.

As the clock inched toward five o’clock, her phone buzzed insistently, breaking the momentary quiet. Instantly, all eyes in the room were drawn to her, a collective curiosity hanging in the air.

After glancing at the message, Sophia’s voice sliced through the tension. “Did brother-in-law come to pick you up?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with eagerness.

Julia shook her head gently, her voice steady. “No, he just asked if he should send someone to get me.”

Sophia’s expression shifted to one of understanding. “I see…” she murmured, her excitement tempered but still very much present.

Though Franklin hadn’t made a personal appearance, neither Julia nor the families seemed to mind too much. After all, the most delightful surprises often arrived unannounced, slipping into ordinary moments like a whisper.

With a sense of purpose, Julia typed out a quick reply to Franklin. As the clock struck six, the expectant gazes of both families accompanied her as she left the office and made her way to the restaurant that Franklin had reserved for the evening.

Upon her arrival, before she could even step into the private room, she caught sight of Isabella, who was twirling joyfully in the hallway, clearly awaiting her arrival with uncontainable enthusiasm.

The moment Isabella spotted her, she dashed over, her face alight with excitement. “Aunt Julia!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing with delight.

Julia’s heart warmed at the sight. She smiled down at her, bending slightly to embrace her. “Easy there, little one. Slow down,” she chuckled, her own excitement bubbling beneath the surface.

“I know!” Isabella replied, nodding her head vigorously. She then presented Julia with a beautifully wrapped gift box, her eyes sparkling. “Happy birthday!”

Julia accepted the present with a grateful smile, her heart swelling at the thoughtfulness. “Thank you so much, Isabella.”

Franklin then stepped forward, his own gift in hand. “Happy birthday,” he said softly, his gaze steady on hers.

Julia paused for a moment, looking into his eyes, before a soft smile broke across her face. “Thank you,” she replied, her heart fluttering at the sincerity in his voice.

Harry, too, presented his gift, and Julia accepted it with a calm demeanor, masking the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.

Once all the gifts were exchanged, they settled down to order food, the conversation flowing easily as they shared casual banter. Yet, beneath the surface, Julia was hyper-aware, her senses on high alert, waiting for any sign that hinted at the proposal she was certain Franklin had planned.

At first, she felt relaxed, convinced that surprises often waited until the end of the evening to reveal themselves.

However, as the meal progressed and the end approached, Julia’s calm facade began to crack. Her smile grew increasingly strained, and each bite felt more tasteless than the last, her anticipation morphing slowly into confusion and anxiety.

What was taking so long? Was the surprise even coming? The questions spiraled in her mind, leaving her with a sense of unease that she couldn’t shake.