Left for Dead Came Back for Everything novel Chapter 90

Hearing this, the tension in Julian's eyes dissolved, and a gentle smile surfaced.

He glanced at Eliza, his eyes holding a multitude of unspoken words, before finally letting out a soft chuckle.

"It would be my pleasure."

The three of them headed inside.

Julian turned and casually grabbed the large grocery bags Gwen had bought.

"You two sit in the living room and relax. I will prep the ingredients."

With that, he walked straight into the open kitchen.

A moment later, the sound of running water echoed from the sink.

Eliza and Gwen sat side by side on the living room sofa.

Eliza's thoughts were still entirely consumed by the envelope in her hands.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

A deliberately exaggerated, hushed sound came from beside her.

Eliza snapped out of her daze, turning her head to meet Gwen's intensely gossipy gaze.

Gwen leaned in conspiratorially, gently elbowing Eliza in the ribs and gesturing toward the kitchen with her chin.

"Has he been here before?"

Eliza followed her gaze and shook her head.

Gwen's excitement multiplied. "Then how does he look so completely at home? He marched straight into your kitchen like he owns the place!"

Eliza pushed her away playfully. "Anyone who is not blind can see where the kitchen is from the front door!"

But as soon as the words left her mouth, she looked back toward the kitchen herself. It was true—why did he look so completely comfortable?

There was something undeniable in the air that she could not quite put her finger on.

Before she could think too deeply, Gwen rested her chin on Eliza's shoulder, whispering with a giggle. "Hey, Eliza, look!"

Eliza followed her gaze once more.

Standing at the kitchen island, Julian had his head slightly bowed, methodically rolling his crisp shirt sleeves up to his elbows.

He was currently washing the vegetables, meticulously turning every single leaf over under the running water.

It was the most mundane domestic scene imaginable, yet standing there with his broad, perfect posture, his natural elegance seemed completely at odds with a greasy kitchen.

"Look at Julian..." Gwen covered her mouth, her eyes practically sparkling with stars.

"He looks exactly like the perfect husband who goes straight to the kitchen the minute he gets off work! And that is Julian Lawrence! He is actually washing vegetables in the kitchen! Oh my god!"

Gwen was completely spiraling, cupping her face as she dove headfirst into her romantic fantasies. "Look at this setup. I feel like the third-wheel best friend visiting the happy couple."

He was brilliant, kind, and possessed a noble, self-contained elegance.

Every time he stood at the podium in his crisp white coat, the eyes of hundreds of students were locked entirely on him.

Of course her heart fluttered for him.

She would hide in the very back row of the auditorium, secretly watching him give his speeches.

She would sit in the corner of the library, staring at his focused profile from afar, lost in a daze.

But back then, besides dancing, she had absolutely nothing to her name.

No powerful family background, no academic brilliance.

She knew the insurmountable distance between herself and Julian all too well.

One lived in the clouds, and the other in the dirt.

She buried those forbidden feelings deep within her heart, convincing herself it was purely admiration, just looking up to a role model.

Then she poured everything into her dancing, desperately trying to make herself better, just a little bit better.

How could she ever dare to hope for more?

He was such a flawless, clean person; she could never bear to burden him with her unworthy affection.

That was, until Zander crashed into her life with fiery devotion.