Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 212

"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing. I'll handle Chase, don't worry."

Clara froze slightly when she realized he was using his personal handkerchief to wipe her tears.

It was a personal item, and knowing his borderline obsessive cleanliness, she knew he never let anyone else use his things.

Not to mention their current position.

She was practically plastered against his body, the intimacy undeniable.

Feeling incredibly awkward, Clara bit her lip and quickly dodged his hand. "Did you come looking for me for a reason?"

Julian watched her evasive little movements with a soft chuckle. He didn't force the issue, tucking the handkerchief away. "Can't I look for you without a reason? What kind of couple are we if we don't spend time together?"

Clara faltered, finding those words painfully familiar.

It was exactly what she had once said to him!

Back then, he had been too busy to pay her any attention, icing her out for days. Feeling hurt and disappointed, she had gone to find him, and when he questioned her, she had thrown those exact words back at him.

The reversal of their roles now felt incredibly ironic.

Still, the memory brought a sting of lingering sadness to her heart.

Julian's gaze darkened. He knew exactly what was going through her mind.

His large hand gently cupped her cheek, his voice dropping low. "Clara, I'm sorry."

A heaviness settled in Clara's chest. She didn't pull away this time, just looked at him with reddened eyes, feeling a profound sense of unfairness for her past self.

Julian's dark eyes shifted. In that fleeting second, he felt a twinge of guilt, knowing full well that his motives were calculated and his words only half-true.

But that guilt vanished as quickly as it came.

To him, love was an irrelevant concept anyway.

"I brought you a gift. Want to see it?" he asked, smoothly changing the subject.

Clara blinked in surprise.

Yet today, he handed that exact luxury right to her without her even asking.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Clara looked at the man standing before her. She swallowed hard, her voice thick with tears. "Thank you."

Julian pulled her into a warm hug.

Clara stiffened, but for once, she didn't push him away. Her fingers rested hesitantly against his chest. She couldn't explain the feeling, but her heart softened. After all, she was only human.

Julian sensed her surrender, and a strange, unfamiliar satisfaction bloomed in his chest.

He didn't recognize the feeling as love.

He just wrote it off as a simple rush of adrenaline and attraction.

He looked down at her flushed nose and soft, inviting lips, suddenly consumed by an overwhelming urge to kiss her.

Unable to resist, he slowly leaned in.