He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 510

Without a second thought, she dropped to one knee. "Okay, let me hold you."

Julian watched her like a hawk, ready to step in.

Despite all her grueling physical therapy, her upper body strength was still significantly compromised.

And a healthy one-year-old packed a decent amount of squirming weight.

He was worried lifting the kid would throw out her back.

But once she scooped the little girl into her chest, she refused to let go.

The toddler stared up into her eyes, giggling sweetly as she grabbed a handful of her hair.

Claire watched the profound moment in silence, nodding gently to herself without interfering.

Helena spent the next hour sitting in the grass, utterly captivated by the child's messy toys.

Julian leaned against the patio railing, keeping a watchful eye over them.

"So, when are you two making it official?" Claire asked suddenly. "You've been dragging this out forever."

Claire was only eight years older than him, essentially a late-in-life miracle baby for Donovan Campbell.

Because of the minimal age gap, she and her nephew had always operated more like close friends.

Between the chaotic trial, the year-long coma, and the exhaustive physical therapy, their relationship had been put on a brutal hold.

The engagement had been permanently back-burnered.

Even the formidable Donovan had started hounding him for a wedding date.

Every single time, Julian had completely ignored the question.

"She's fully recovered now. It's time to put a ring on it for real," she nudged him knowingly.

"I know," he grunted, refusing to elaborate.

Knowing his stubborn streak, she dropped the interrogation.

Instead, she looked back out over the lawn at the two girls.

"Blood always wins," she sighed sentimentally. "She is incredibly skittish around strangers. But she took one look at her real mother and practically demanded to be held."

Suddenly remembering the logistics, she turned back to him.

"Julian, I don't want to drag you down..." she sighed heavily after a long minute.

"Good. Marrying me is the opposite of dragging me down," he retorted smoothly.

She didn't reply, leaving her answer hovering somewhere between a yes and a no.

"I've booked an appointment at The Civil Affairs Bureau for tomorrow morning," he stated, making the choice for her. "As for the rest, it's completely up to you. In Riverton, Helena Wallace is legally dead. If you want a fresh start, I'll have papers drawn up for a completely new identity. You don't even have to hide. The crash severely damaged your face, and the reconstructive surgery altered your bone structure. You don't look exactly like the old you anymore."

She listened quietly to his perfectly constructed logic.

"Also, Lance and I finalized the corporate restructure. Since she needs to stay in Coralia near her specialists, and the market here is booming, I'm moving my entire headquarters out of Boston and permanently relocating here. That way, you won't have to split your time," he added, proving he had factored her into every single aspect of his life.

He had literally reshaped his empire just to make her life easier.

It was physically impossible for her not to be profoundly moved by that level of devotion.

Turning her head, she looked at his handsome profile. "Julian... tearing your life apart for me isn't worth it."

"I decide what's worth it," he replied without taking his eyes off the road.

She fell silent, a ghost of a smile touching her lips as the luxury car cruised smoothly back toward their penthouse.