Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 144

The study was completely dark, save for the glow of the computer monitor. Julian sat alone in the shadows, smoking a cigarette in heavy silence.

Displayed on the screen was an old photograph of Willow from one of her past projects. Staring at it, Julian couldn't stop thinking about how she looked today.

She really had changed completely. Not just her appearance, but her entire demeanor. That timid, compliant girl who used to avoid his gaze was entirely gone. In her place was a cold, resilient woman who looked ready to fight to the death.

Julian took a drag of his cigarette and scoffed inwardly. How naive.

Suddenly, the study door cracked open. Julian quickly slammed the laptop shut and looked up to see Vivienne.

Taking in her seductive attire, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Vivienne glided toward him, purposefully settling onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and murmured, "Why aren't you in bed yet? I've been waiting for you."

"I've got things to do," Julian replied. He knew exactly what she was offering, yet strangely, he felt absolutely no desire. If anything, he felt a nagging sense of irritation.

He patted her shoulder dismissively. "Go to sleep. I have more work to finish."

It was a blatant rejection. The color instantly drained from Vivienne's face.

In the past, Julian was always the one initiating intimacy. To swallow her pride, offer herself, and be completely brushed off was devastating.

Julian pulled Vivienne into a tight embrace. "Alright, that's enough. It's my fault for making you overthink things. But you have to trust me. I promised I'd take care of you both for the rest of my life, and I will."

"Do you mean it?" Vivienne sniffled, her anxiety finally easing a fraction.

"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?"

"I believe you." Vivienne knew when to pull back and play the devoted partner, but a heavy weight still pressed on her chest.

Back when Julian showed zero interest in Willow, Vivienne had been perfectly fine living in their twisted arrangement, with Willow pushed to the side. But ever since she noticed Julian's shifting attention, her sense of crisis had reached a boiling point.