Three years of loving him, three days to erase myself from his world novel Chapter 47

But before he could pinpoint the source of this paralyzing dread.

Seraphina's shrill voice echoed up the grand staircase, yanking him out of his spiraling thoughts.

"Julian! What is taking you so long..."

Julian snapped back to reality, his voice rough as he called back, "Coming."

He shot one last, deeply conflicted look at Clara's closed bedroom door.

And forced himself to walk down the stairs.

He convinced himself he was just being paranoid.

Clara was always rearranging her little trinkets. She had probably just decided on a new aesthetic for the room and packed the old junk away in the closet.

Julian reached the bottom of the staircase. Despite rationalizing it in his head, a heavy knot of anxiety remained anchored in his stomach.

Seraphina came bouncing out of the guest room, holding a string of pearls in one hand and an emerald choker in the other.

She was just about to ask him which piece would look better at tomorrow's exhibition.

But when she saw the massive designer garment bag clutched in his hand, a triumphant, euphoric smile split her face.

She knew it. He would always prioritize her.

As for Clara, she was nothing more than a passing phase. A momentary lapse in judgment.

However, her eyes darted to the delicate, ribbon-tied box in his other hand.

It looked sickeningly sweet and overly romantic.

Did Clara give that to him?

Seraphina's heart plummeted. Pointing at the box, she couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Julian, what's in the box? Is it a gift from Clara...?"

Julian's grip on the box tightened instinctively. He gave a dismissive shake of his head.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Oh... alright..."

Seraphina stared intensely at the box, a toxic spike of paranoia infecting her brain.

But she didn't dare press him further.

She mentally swore to herself that she would find a way to rip that box open the second he wasn't looking.

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