Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 167

Susan, hearing his voice, emerged from her room on the first floor.

"You're back, Mr. Lowell. Ms. Vance isn't home. She hasn't returned yet, and I'm not sure where she went. Oh, right, isn't today your anniversary? Why isn't she with you?"

Julian stood completely frozen. A sudden, inexplicable wave of panic crashed over him.

That panic hit a fever pitch when he pulled out his phone, finally powered it on, and read the messages she had sent earlier.

Clara: [...I apologize for bothering you, Mr. Lowell.]

[Don't forget to open the box I gave you the other day.]

Mr. Lowell.

She had called him Mr. Lowell. The icy detachment bled through the screen.

It was as if they weren't lovers at all, but mere business acquaintances.

She had always called him Julian, or playfully used his title. She had never, ever addressed him with such cold formality.

A sickening, hollow feeling clawed at Julian's stomach.

"Got it."

He gave Susan a terse reply, then walked over to the shelving unit in the living room. He pulled The Departure Dossier from one of the shelves, intending to open it along with the investigation report.

For some reason, his heart began to pound with a heavy, ominous dread.

Taking a steadying breath, Julian untied the blue ribbon and lifted the lid off the box.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a backup phone and a stack of printed documents.

Suddenly, two slender arms wrapped around his waist from behind. A soft, incredibly warm body pressed flush against his back.

Julian's breath hitched. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his heart raced as an undeniable thrill shot through his veins.

Assuming it was Clara, he set the box down, a faint smile touching his lips.

He knew it. She had prepared a surprise for him after all.

Reaching down, he covered the small hand resting on his waist, his thumb gently stroking her knuckles. "You really are..." he began, his voice laced with an affection he didn't even realize he possessed.

Before he could finish, a tearful, high-pitched voice interrupted from behind. "Julian, why didn't you answer my calls? When you ignored me, I was so scared..."

Julian's mind flatlined. His brows crashed together, and every muscle in his body instantly went rigid in revulsion—a stark contrast to the warmth he had felt just a second ago.

He ripped her hands off his waist and spun around, staring down at her with pitch-black eyes.

"Sera. What are you doing here?"

Seraphina's eyes were red and puffy. She threw herself back against his chest, clinging to him like a lifeline as she sobbed.

"Julian, please just stay with me. I promise I'll never make you angry again..."

Julian stiffened. After a moment of hesitation, his large hand awkwardly patted her shoulder. He opened his mouth to speak.

The front door swung open.

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