Reborn at Eighteen The Billionaire's Second Chance novel Chapter 137

Reborn at Eighteen: The Billionaire’s Second

Chapter 137

Elara

I pressed myself against the far door. Put as much distance between

us as possible.

Julian pulled off his sunglasses. Tossed them on the dashboard. He

looked exhausted. There were shadows under his eyes. His hair was

slightly disheveled, which was unusual for him.

He loosened his tie. Unbuttoned his cuffs. The silence stretched.

“What were you trying to prove?” he finally asked.

“That I can take care of myself.”

He turned to look at me. “By selling sketches on a street corner.”

“By working. By using my skills to earn money. Like a normal person.”

“You’re not a normal person.”

“Why? Because you say so?”

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Chapter 137

He exhaled slowly. His jaw worked. “You have money. Grandfather

gave you two checks. I transferred you your father’s insurance payout.

You have more than enough to live on. So why the hell are you out

there on the street, drawing pictures for tourists?”

His voice had risen. The control was slipping.

I understood then.

“You’re not worried about me,” I said. My voice came out steady. Calm.

“You’re worried about what people will think. About what it looks like

when the Vane family’s foster daughter is selling art on street

corners.”

“That’s not-”

“You’re afraid I’m making the family look bad. Even though I’m nothing to you. Even though I have no blood relation. Even though you’ve all been trying to push me out from the beginning.” I leaned forward. Met his eyes. “But you can’t let people see that, can you? You

can’t let them know the truth about how the Vane family really treats

people. It would ruin that perfect reputation you’ve all worked so

hard to build.”

His hands curled into fists on his lap. “You don’t know what you’re

talking about.”

Chapter 137

“Don’t I?” I kept my voice level. “The real weakness isn’t mine, Julian.

It’s yours. It’s your family’s. I can put aside my pride. I can do what I

need to do to survive. But you? All of you? You’re willing to sacrifice

everything for an image. For a reputation that’s built on lies.”

He was staring at me. His face had gone blank. That mask he wore

when he didn’t want anyone to see what he was feeling.

I wasn’t done.

“You came to find me today. You dragged me away from my work,

from the first real money I’ve earned in my life. So tell me, Julian.” I

paused. Made sure he was listening. “Did you do it for the Vane family

reputation? Or did you do it for yourself?”

The question hung in the air.

Julian didn’t answer. His breathing had changed. Faster. Shallower.

“You know the answer,” I said quietly. “Even if you won’t admit it.”

For a long moment, we just stared at each other. The car hummed

around us. Traffic sounds filtered through the windows.

Then his phone rang.

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Chapter 137

The sound shattered the moment. Julian glanced at the screen. His

whole face changed.

Sloane.

He answered. “Hey.”

Even through the speaker, her voice sounded weak. Fragile. “Julian… I

don’t feel good. The baby’s been kicking all day and I can’t stop

throwing up. Everything hurts. Can you come home?”

The exhaustion disappeared from his face. He sat up straighter. “I’m

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