The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 287

The living room was small and simply furnished. A fabric sofa, a light oak coffee table, a few potted pothos trailing down from the TV stand... A wedding photo of Lexi and Julian hung on the wall. A stack of ungraded homework sat on the coffee table next to a red pen, indicating Julian had been working.

"Have a seat, please, make yourself at home." Julian bustled about, neatly stacking the notebooks while reaching for the teapot. "The place is a bit of a mess, haven't had time to tidy up. What kind of tea do you prefer? Black or green? I've got some fresh batches from this year."

"Whatever is fine." Garrison took a seat on the couch.

Julian brewed the tea with practiced ease. Soon, a steaming cup of tea was placed before Garrison, resting on a small saucer with a sugar cube perched on the rim. He watched as Julian handed him the first cup, passed the second to Lexi, and then naturally grabbed the shawl draped over the dining chair, wrapping it gently around her shoulders as she sat down.

"It's cold out, keep this on," Julian murmured, his tone as gentle as if he were scolding a forgetful child.

He took her purse, hung it on the entryway rack, and casually nudged her discarded slippers right to her feet. His movements were seamless, natural, as if he had done these things ten thousand times and would gladly do them ten thousand more...

Watching this profoundly ordinary man in his warm, lived-in home, Garrison suddenly felt a pang of envy... perhaps even jealousy.

Just then, a baby's cry rang out from the bedroom.

"Waa—"

"She's up, Daddy's coming—" Julian sprang from the couch the second he heard the cry, tossing an apologetic smile over his shoulder at Garrison. "You two chat. The little one just woke up and needs to be held, or she'll throw a fit."

"Go on, but don't spoil her too much. If you hold her all the time, you'll never be able to put her down," Lexi said smoothly.

"If I can't put her down, I'll just hold her forever," Julian chuckled, hurrying off.

Lexi took a sip of her tea and turned, noticing Garrison's dazed expression.

He explained that he had resigned from Metropolitan General Hospital and opened a private lab. He was still researching the Vitas Strain, but having to start completely from scratch.

"Is there any point?" Lexi asked with a sad smile. "I heard Genesis-1 is already on the market."

Garrison didn't answer right away. He looked out the window at the pitch-black sky, letting a heavy silence settle before he spoke.

"There is."

Eventually, Lexi stood and went into the bedroom. A moment later, she emerged carrying a cardboard box. It wasn't large, but it looked heavy. The box was battered, its edges frayed, sealed tightly with packing tape. She placed it on the coffee table, gently pushed it toward him, and sat back down.

"These... are the things Sloane left behind."