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.

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