Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 69

**Faith Didn’t Survive Time – by Aadi Sharma**
**Chapter 69**

Renee’s lips curled into a sardonic smile, a mix of disbelief and frustration swirling within her.

“Julian, you’re seriously messed up,” she retorted, her voice dripping with scorn.

With that, she sidestepped him, her heart pounding as she prepared to leave the tension-filled room behind.

In the depths of her mind, memories flooded back to the time before Adam had entered her life. Back then, Julian had already laid bare his emotions, confessing his affection for her with a sincerity that had both flattered and unsettled her. Yet, he simply didn’t fit the mold of what she desired, leading her to decline his advances.

Julian, a scion of an illustrious family, was undeniably attractive, cloaked in wealth and social status. His charm drew the attention of countless girls, filling half of his desk drawer with love letters from infatuated classmates, each one a testament to his popularity.

Strangely, despite the attention, he had never ventured into a serious relationship. He adhered to a peculiar set of self-imposed rules: never initiate contact, never reject a confession outright, and always dodge responsibility.

He had never truly pursued any girl, his heart having only taken flight once—when he confessed to Renee. The sting of rejection had left him shaken, yet he wore a mask of indifference, never revealing the turmoil that brewed beneath the surface.

As time went on, Renee found herself drawn to Adam, and their connection blossomed into a love that culminated in marriage. The day before their wedding, Julian confronted her, dropping to one knee in a desperate plea, his voice trembling as he begged her not to tie the knot with Adam. He poured out his heart, words spilling forth in a torrent of raw emotion.

Renee’s anger flared like a wildfire. “Get out!” she had shouted, her voice echoing with indignation as she kicked him out of her life.

On the day of her wedding, Julian stood among the groomsmen, a bittersweet smile plastered on his face, masking the storm brewing inside him. Adam, in high spirits, celebrated with abandon, indulging in too much drink, laughter ringing through the air as their friends engaged in rowdy games. Eventually, Adam succumbed to the effects of alcohol, collapsing into a deep slumber.

But no one could have predicted that Julian would burst into Renee’s bridal suite, his face a mask of anguish, tears streaming down his cheeks as he grasped her shoulders tightly.

“Renee, I love you! I don’t want to lose you! Why did you marry Adam?” he cried out, his voice cracking under the weight of his sorrow. “I’ve chased you for so many years! Why couldn’t you just look at me? What does Adam have that I don’t? What is it about him that you love?”

Renee, her heart racing, pushed him away, her resolve hardening. “I love Adam for who he is. It has nothing to do with his family background or his education,” she asserted, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

Julian’s eyes were a stormy red, reminiscent of a wounded child, and he finally bowed his head, his voice barely a whisper. “Fine! I accept that you love him. But Renee, I’m good too. If you’re ever unhappy, you can come to me. If you’re ever hurting, you can come to me. No matter what, I’ll always be here if you turn back.”

Renee attempted to press on, her heart aching, “But last night—”

“Enough,” Adam interrupted, his voice firm. “Let’s put this behind us. I already told you. It’s in the past. Don’t bring it up again. Besides, Julian and I are like brothers. We’ve been best friends since we were kids. You get what I’m saying?”

With that, Renee felt the weight of silence settle between them, leaving her with no further words to say.

Years slipped by like sand through an hourglass, and she had genuinely believed that Julian had moved on, that he had finally let go. Yet, the stark reality hit her hard—he was still ensnared in the web of their shared past.

“Stop right there!”

Julian’s voice cut through the air like a knife as he seized her wrist with a fierce intensity, his expression a tempest of anger and desperation.

“Renee, are you really that pathetic? Is your love that cheap? Adam cheated on you while you two are still married! Do you still want to stay with him?” he roared, his words echoing the pain and frustration that had been bottled up for far too long.