Second Marriage The Billionaire's Planned Love (Quinn and Julian) novel Chapter 218

Chapter 218 Something Real

Finished

The kitchen opened into the living space, centered around a wide island that looked like it belonged in a high–end home magazine.

Julian stood there with a dark gray apron tied around his waist, his sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the clean lines of his forearms, the fabric pulling slightly across his shoulders in a way that made his build even more defined.

The ventilation fan hummed softly, filling the space with a steady background noise that masked Quinn’s footsteps as she approached.

He reached for seasoning, then paused, catching sight of her in the corner of his vision.

When he turned, their eyes met.

Quinn instinctively lifted a hand to smooth her hair, suddenly aware of herself in a way she hadn’t been a second ago.

Julian smiled, subtle but unmistakable, then motioned her closer. “Come here.”

Quinn walked over, stopping a few steps away, keeping a bit of distance like it might help her stay grounded.

Julian finished what he was doing, turned off the stove, and plated the dish with practiced ease.

Quinn watched him, and even though she had seen him cook before, it still didn’t feel real.

A man like him, with everything he had, didn’t seem like someone who should belong in a kitchen.

And yet he did.

Not awkwardly, not out of place, but completely at ease, like the space adjusted to him instead of the other way around.

There was something in the way he moved, controlled, precise, but never stiff, that made even the smallest actions feel intentional.

It didn’t feel like cooking.

It felt like watching something carefully composed.

And honestly, he looked better doing this than most people did in front of a camera.

Julian carried the plate over and set it down, then looked at her. “You hungry?”

Quinn hadn’t been before, but the smell alone made her realize she actually was

She nodded without thinking.

“Give me a second,” he said, grabbing a clean pair of utensils before picking up a piece and holding it out to her. “These are clean. I haven’t used them.”

Chapter 218 Something Real

Finished

The dish was simple, something you’d see on any dinner table, but the execution was what mattered.

The piece hovered just in front of her.

Quinn didn’t hesitate.

She leaned in and took a bite.

The texture was crisp but not dry, the flavor light but balanced, with just enough brightness to make it stand out.

Her eyes lit up immediately.

It was really good.

Julian watched her reaction, then asked anyway, “Well? Anything you’d change?”

Quinn shook her head, then lifted her hand in a small thumbs–up. “It’s really good. Like, actually really good. I’ve never had it taste like this before.”

There’s not going to be a next time.

You’ve already crossed the line before, so what are you holding back for now?

Only in front of other people did they bother pretending.

Because appearances mattered.

Everything else didn’t.

But everything Julian had done for her these past few days stayed with her.

The way he noticed things without being told. Things she had never really experienced before.

She once told Lucy she felt like a flower that bloomed too early, only to get hit by a late frost.

That wasn’t an exaggeration.

Her marriage with Chase had left her drained, worn down to the point where she thought she’d never feel anything again.

If she had never met Julian…

She probably would have stayed closed off for good.

And yet somehow, without realizing it, she had let him in.

So easily.

Maybe it was because it was him. Because Julian was the kind of person you didn’t come across twice.

Sometimes she wondered, if she had met him first, before everything else…

Would she have ever mistaken what she felt for Chase as love? Probably not.

Because nothing Chase ever did made her feel like this. But every time Julian got close, her heart refused to stay steady.

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