Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 189

Clara didn't wait for Julian; she went straight home.

Her apartment complex was very close to the coffee shop, only a few hundred yards away. Walking briskly, she made it back in just a few minutes.

She walked slowly on purpose, though, debating the whole way how she was going to explain this to Dominic and pick a new spot to meet. It was already getting late; they'd have to push it to tomorrow.

Arriving at her building, Clara stepped into the lobby and instinctively reached into her bag for her keys, only to find empty air.

It was then she realized that she had left her things at the coffee shop!

Clara groaned in frustration.

Thankfully, she was a regular at that cafe, so the owner and staff all knew her. She could just grab her things tomorrow. As for how to get inside today... she kept a spare key hidden under the mat outside her door.

Clara sighed softly, shaking her head as she continued down the hallway.

The next second, her wrist was suddenly seized. Before she could react, an overpowering force yanked her backward, and a familiar, crisp scent instantly enveloped her.

Julian.

"Ah!" Clara let out a short gasp, angrily swatting at his shoulder with her free hand. "Julian! Are you out of your mind?!"

They were right in the residential hallway; someone could walk in at any second.

What if they were seen?!

"Let me go..."

Julian let out a low hum, pulling her flush against his body. The soft wool of her clothes rubbed against the tailored fabric of his suit, the indescribable intimacy turning the air scorching hot.

His dark eyes were fathomless as he murmured, "Didn't I tell you to wait for me?"

Clara choked on her breath and turned her head away. "Why should I wait for you? Let go..." She struggled against his grip.

Julian narrowed his eyes, tightening his hold on her.

"You don't love me anymore, so you can't even be bothered to deal with me... is that it?"

Clara pressed her lips into a thin line, only saying, "You're hurting me!"

Julian's eyes darkened. He loosened his grip slightly, but he still refused to release her.

Watching her fight against him like he was some terrifying monster, his mind inexplicably flashed back to the past, when she used to be the one constantly trying to get close to him...

Julian didn't flinch.

He stared at her for several seconds, his eyes so dark and deep that it was impossible to read his mood.

After a long while, he let out a dark chuckle, leaning down so close that his lips almost brushed against hers. Their breaths tangled in the air, a collision of ice and fire.

His mouth curved into a cynical smirk. "Such a sharp tongue! I never knew you had this side to you. Was everything before just an act?"

They were far too close. Unused to the proximity, Clara's face burned even hotter, infuriated by the sheer humiliation of it.

But his words still stung deep down.

She lowered her eyes and threw the insult right back. "Right back at you. I never knew Mr. Lowell was this kind of person either!"

No one had ever dared provoke him like this!

Julian's movements stalled for a fraction of a second, and he smiled, though the smile didn't reach his eyes.

He finally released her, leaning back against the wall to pull out a cigarette. But his gaze never left her, radiating an undeniable, predatory danger...