Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 230

Julian chuckled softly. "It was me. I saw everything there was to see, and everything I shouldn't have."

Clara stopped dead in her tracks, staring at him in sheer mortification. Her eyes went wide, and she looked like she was about to spontaneously combust from embarrassment.

"You... how could you..."

His smile widened into a full grin. Unable to resist, he stepped closer, gently stroked her soft cheek, and said in a low, soothing voice, "I'm just teasing you. Go wash up, breakfast is ready."

Clara finally let out a massive sigh of relief. She shot him a playful glare before ducking under his arm and slipping away to the master bathroom, making sure to warn him over her shoulder, "Don't come in!"

Julian burst out laughing.

If Arthur and the rest of the corporate staff saw this, their jaws would permanently hit the floor. The usually aloof, ruthless Julian Lowell acting this playful and approachable?

He probably hadn't even noticed it himself, but ever since getting back with Clara, he felt effortlessly, profoundly happy every single moment!

...

Clara finished washing up and changed her clothes. When she came downstairs, Julian was sitting at the dining table scrolling through emails. With his striking presence, just sitting there in silence was a feast for the eyes.

Clara took an extra moment to admire him before pulling out a chair to join him for breakfast.

This was one of the very few times they had shared a morning meal since getting together.

Usually, he ate at the office.

Clara knew he was making a specific effort for her, and it warmed her heart immensely.

Seeing her come down, Julian set aside his tablet and placed a few crispy strips of bacon onto her plate. "Eat more, you're entirely too thin."

Another wave of pure sweetness washed over Clara.

Serving their coffee, Susan couldn't help but chime in, "Mr. Lowell really cares about you, Ms. Vance!"

Julian gave a faint, satisfied smile and didn't say a word.

After breakfast.

Julian had an impromptu video meeting and headed up to his study.

Feeling a bit bored, Clara wandered outside. Seeing that the fresh snow in the garden hadn't been cleared yet, she got the brilliant idea to build a snowman.

When Julian finished his call and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window to smoke, this was the exact sight that greeted him.

In the stark, white garden, Clara was the absolute only splash of color, looking so vibrant and full of life.

Julian paused mid-drag, feeling profoundly moved by the scene.

Just then, his phone rang again.

Julian snapped back to reality, picked it up, and answered. It was Arthur, who sounded uncharacteristically hesitant.

"Mr. Lowell, Professor Thorne just confirmed he has time to chat this morning."

Julian's eyes darkened instantly.

He looked back down at Clara playing in the little garden, suddenly recalling her exact words from last night.

She paused, walking up to him gently, and asked softly, "Julian, what's wrong? You look upset..."

Julian stared at her, his gaze intense and heavy. He stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray, sat down on the leather sofa, and reached out his hand to her. "Come here..." he ordered in a low, gravelly voice.

Worried about him, Clara obediently walked over and placed her small hand in his.

Julian pulled her down to sit directly on his lap. Noticing her shoes and socks were soaking wet from the snow, he stripped them off and tossed them aside, exposing her pale feet.

He cupped them in his large hands, gently rubbing her cold skin, his dark gaze never leaving her face.

Clara trembled slightly, feeling embarrassed by both the gesture and their highly intimate position.

But her deep concern for him outweighed everything else.

Blushing furiously, she reached up and gently touched his handsome face, whispering, "Is there a problem with the project?"

Julian watched her utterly docile demeanor, his Adam's apple bobbing heavily.

He knew perfectly well that if he ignored Seraphina's situation and canceled the meeting with Professor Thorne, he could continue to enjoy Clara's absolute devotion, perhaps even claiming her completely.

But at the end of the day, Clara just wasn't that important to him.

Seraphina mattered more.

He figured that giving away the competition slot wouldn't really affect Clara anyway. Even if she somehow found out, the worst that could possibly happen was that she'd go back to being cold to him like before.

That was all!