Chapter 20
“You-”
Nina’s heart clenched. Her eyes locked on the scars.
“What happened to your wrist?”
Julian composed himself in an instant, pulling the watch back on with steady fingers.
“It’s nothing.”
Nothing? She’d seen it with her own eyes.
She opened her mouth to press further-
But the car slowed to a stop.
Samantha’s voice floated from the front seat.
“Julian, we’re here.”
He gave a quiet “mm” and stepped out first.
Nina forced herself to breathe, then followed. It wasn’t a massive building, but it definitely wasn’t small. A modest–sized business. One
she’d never known existed.
She stared after Julian, heart thudding with unease.
He’d always said he hated business. He loathed running companies. So why this? Why jewelry? And those scars…
Was all of this–because of her?
Before she could finish the thought, Samantha came up beside her.
“I hope,” she said coldly, “you’ll respect Julian’s privacy.”
Nina blinked.
Gone was the fragile, sweet Samantha from three years ago. This woman was composed. Steeled. She’d grown.
Everyone had grown.
Everyone but her.
She nodded. “Understood.”
After all, Samantha was his fiancée. It made sense that she’d want to protect what was hers.
But Samantha paused. Her eyes darkened slightly.
“I mean it,” she said. “I hope you really understand.”
Nina didn’t respond.
She would be working at Julian’s company now, tracking the exhibit’s progress. And for convenience, her desk had been placed right
outside his office.
On her first day, she hadn’t even finished sitting down when he called her in.
He placed a few designs on his desk.
“Unfinished pieces,” he said. “If you’re inspired, complete them.”
She picked one up–and froze.
They were her designs.
The very ones she’d drafted before she got sick. Pieces she’d never finished. She flipped through the others. Every sketch was one she remembered. Every line, every note.
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Even some of the featured items in the upcoming show… looked like her work.
Her vision blurred.
Had he…?
Had Julian started this entire company to realize the dreams she’d left behind?
Her hand trembled around the pages. Then she shut the file.
“I’m sorry. That’s not part of my job description.”
He’d already sacrificed enough in the past–for Samantha, for her family. She would
past.
Julian looked at her, eyes unreadable. “Is that so?”
She kept her voice steady. “I’m just here to coordinate the exhibit.”
“Once the exhibit is done, you’ll leave?”
“Yes.”
“No chance you’ll stay?”
“No.”
Something passed over his face. His lips, usually full of color, paled slightly.
“I see.” He lowered his gaze. “You can go.”
let him use her ghost to trap himself in the
She paused, then turned and walked out. As she shut the door behind her, she thought she heard a soft cough.
Her hand hesitated briefly on the handle… then let go.
Nina stood outside the office, drawing a deep breath. She didn’t want to face him. Not now.
The next day, when Nina stepped into the office, Julian wasn’t there. She’d just let out a breath of relief–when Samantha stormed up.
“What did you say to Julian yesterday?” she snapped. “Can’t you just let him go?”
Chapter 20
